Orchard Technician
Field Research Network Te Puke, New Zealand
Vacancy number: 57085
Permanent full-time: 38 hours per week
Are you eager to further your horticulture career?
Does the idea of (most) weekends off appeal?
Make a difference through your horticultural knowledge, passion and energy
You'll be valued for your commitment to best practice orchard maintenance. The special twist on our orchard is our approach to supporting the development and growing of cultivars new to the region - the fruits of the future!
What you will be doing | Nga whainga matua
As a key member of our team, you'll be helping to provide the best possible environment for our science teams to carry out their research and trials. This will include:
Assisting the Orchard Manager with monitoring and maintaining plant health and soil conditions to ensure optimum conditions
Crop-spraying, weed-spraying, irrigation work, pruning and fertilization
Onboarding casual workers and contractors to the site, ensuring all Health and Safety protocols are in place and well supported.
What you will bring | Nga tino pukenga me nga wheako
You love working outside and enjoy being part of a team - eager to learn, always keen to pitch in, taking pride and care in the work you do. You take responsibility for the health and safety of yourself and others, acknowledging we work with chemicals and sprays. Your interest in the work we do will ensure you build positive relationships with science staff, contractors, external clients and visitors. You'll also bring:
Experience in orchard operations and/or a relevant qualification in Horticulture
A flair for machinery and the equipment used in orchard maintenance
Enthusiasm to develop your skills and take on new learning opportunities
Physical fitness appropriate to our work on an orchard
A full driver's licence
What you will get | Nga hua o tenei turanga
The opportunity to work within a friendly, team-based environment that encourages and supports work-life balance, and to contribute to exciting projects with an organisation which has an excellent reputation for its science and for being a great place to work! At PFR, we offer excellent employee benefits and flexibility, such as:
Additional 7 days' leave and generous paid parental leave
Excellent benefit choices in retirement savings and wellbeing & health
Focus on health and wellbeing with enhanced sick leave
About us | Ko wai matou
At Plant & Food Research, Rangahau Ahumara Kai, we believe science can create a better future. By finding smarter, greener options today, we're helping secure the world we want to live in tomorrow. With our partners, we use world-leading science and technology to improve the way they grow, fish, harvest, create, prepare and share kai. We have 1000 people working across Aotearoa New Zealand and the world to help develop and deliver healthy foods from the world's most sustainable food systems. We are on our journey towards becoming a meaningful and trusted partner to Maori, promoting the weaving of Matauranga Maori and science to create growth and success for all of Aotearoa, New Zealand.
Please note that we cannot provide visa sponsorship for this role. Candidates must either be a NZ citizen/resident or hold open work rights.
#J-18808-Ljbffr