POSITION SUMMARY:

Will work with and provide training for Farm Management personnel in scouting and controlling pest in cotton and sorghum.

RESPONSIBILITIES/DUTIES:

• Provide historical information on pest management in South Texas.
• Scout and identify insect and weed issues across acres.
• Provide detailed reports on daily fields scouted.
• Analysis of farm conditions
• Monitor insect feeding behavior and insect feeding biology
• Visit farm and other research trial plots to collect insect samples
• Apply experimental and commercial insecticides to pest targets and their habitats
• Design and implement pest management plans to support the crop production
• Manage trial establishment and collection of data
• Provide management reports in regard to progress
• Train farm management personnel in the scouting and controlling pests
• Consult with farm managers to advise course of action for pest management

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE DESIRED:

• Practical specialized experience in cotton and sorghum production with emphasis on pest management.
• Entomology, Biology, or Natural Resources degree or declared major or equivalent hands-on experience required

SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, ETC:

• Have or in the process of obtaining the Texas Department of Agriculture Chemical Applicator Certification
• Historical knowledge on pest management in South Texas
• Knowledge of pest infestation and crop cycles as well as the chemicals to treat them
• Excel spreadsheet competence.
• Must have a valid driver’s license in good standing, the ability to be an approved driver for the company and to safely operate vehicles.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: (IF APPLICABLE)

• This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/REQUIREMENTS (Lifting, Bending, Stretching, etc.)

• Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard, power tools, and to handle other precision tools.
• Lifting and transporting of moderately heavy objects, such as spare tires and fuel cans.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must frequently lift or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• This position is located in South Texas.
• Work is performed outdoors in various field locations on ranch property.
• The job will be based at the South Texas Farm Office Headquarters
• Requires exposure to all temperature and weather extremes (i.e., heat, rain, wind, cold and dusty conditions), moving equipment, loud noises, wetness, dust, fumes and requires walking on soft soil and hard and uneven surfaces.
• The physical demands that must be met by an employee are those needed to successfully perform the essential functions of this position, with or without reasonable accommodation, as listed in the job description.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Must be a team player who is willing to cooperate with others.

Must be able to accept corrective criticism from supervisor.

Must be willing to take on a variety of assignments as assigned by management on an as-needed basis within the department and within other areas of King Ranch if necessary.

Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.