POSITION IDENTIFICATION
TITLE Field and Maintenance Crew Leader
CLASSIFICATION NUMBER 9260
GRADE 24
CLASSIFICATION Nonexempt
IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR Chancellor, Mtn. Grove Campus
MAJOR ADMINISTRATOR Provost
GENERAL FUNCTION
The Field and Maintenance Crew Leader manages the day-to-day work associated with general field and greenhouse operations of the research campus, makes assignments to Field and Maintenance Workers, and also serves as a Field and Maintenance Worker, maintaining fruit trees, vines, and related plantings requiring the use of knowledge of fruit growing, operating manual, electrically-powered, diesel- or gasoline-powered farm machinery, tools, and equipment, applying chemicals used in fruit growing, performing routine and preventative maintenance and cleaning of farm machinery, equipment, and tools, making minor repairs within demonstrated capability, and performing other duties as may be assigned by the supervisor.
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Education: A high school diploma or the equivalent is required; two years of vocational agricultural training is preferred.
Experience: At least three years of work experience in farming, fruit growing, or a related agricultural area is required and least six months of work experience as a Field and Maintenance Worker on the Mountain Grove campus is required.
Skills: The ability to read English language sufficiently to understand written instructions from researchers as well as directions for the proper mixture, use, and disposal/storage of chemicals, fertilizers, and similar products used in fruit growing or agricultural work is required. Skill in the proper operation and maintenance of farm machinery, tractors, tools, and agricultural equipment is required. Knowledge and ability to drive farm tractors is required. The ability to develop knowledge of, respect for, and skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds is required. Skill in the use of an arc welder and cutting torch is preferred.
License: Possession of a Missouri driver’s license is required. Possession of a public pesticide operator’s license is preferred.
Effort: The ability to work out-of-doors, year round, in all types of weather is required. The ability to lift and transport fruit growing or agricultural supplies and equipment weighing up to 70 pounds on a frequent basis and up to 100 pounds on an occasional basis is required. Prolonged walking and standing and frequent bending, stooping, kneeling, and reaching is required on a daily basis. A full range of physical motion Is required in order to operate manual, electrically-powered and diesel- or gasoline-powered farm machinery, tools, and equipment. The ability to access areas that may only be accessible by climbing ladders is required. The ability to move throughout the assigned area is required.
Other: The scope of the position requires exposure to and use of chemical compounds for application on trees, vines, fruit plants, and other agricultural products which may be hazardous and cause injury if specific instructions regarding their mixture, application, use, and disposal/storage are not followed properly.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Serves as Crew Leader and plans, organizes, and supervises day-to-day field and greenhouse operations and maintenance tasks that are performed on a seasonal basis in coordination with the needs of researchers and their projects.
2. Performs tasks common to the propagation, care, and maintenance of horticultural plants by planting and/or transplanting fruit trees, vines or other crops as directed, pruning trees, vines and other fruit plants, watering and fertilizing or applying chemicals to fruit trees, vines and other plantings, weeding and cultivating fruit trees, vines and other plantings, harvesting and storing fruits and propagational parts of plants, inspecting fruit trees, vines and plants for insects, disease, and physical damage, as directed, recording and reporting research data, and constructing trellises or other structures.
3. Safely operates light vehicles and farm machinery such as pick-up trucks, tractors, riding mowers, plows, mowers, and disc harrows, by obeying applicable traffic laws, following operator instructions, and wearing appropriate safety equipment such as goggles, gloves, or other protective clothing.
4. Safely operates various types of farm equipment such as post augers, post drivers, portable power tools such as gasoline-operated power tools, sprayers, trimmers, and chain saws, electrically-operated drills and saws, and gas or electrically operated welders by following operator instructions and wearing appropriate safety equipment such as goggles, gloves, or other protective clothing.
5. Applies chemicals used in fruit growing properly and safely by following either written or verbal directions for mixing chemical compounds according to specifications, wearing prescribed protective clothing, masks, and rubber boots and gloves, applying the chemicals properly on fruit trees, vines, and other plantings designated for their use, disposing of residual chemical products as directed or storing them for future use, and recording the application of such chemical compounds.
6. Performs regular and directed field maintenance by mowing orchards and other campus areas using riding mowers or tractors and gasoline-powered trimmers or chain saws, weeding or thinning plantings, and setting up, adjusting, repairing, and cleaning irrigation systems.
7. Ensures that farm machinery, equipment, and tools are operational by performing routine and preventative maintenance and cleaning of farm machinery, equipment, and tools and making minor repairs within demonstrated capability.
8. Contributes to a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and development of skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds.
9. Contributes to the overall success of the Darr College of Agriculture by performing other essential duties and responsibilities as assigned.
SUPERVISION
The Field and Maintenance Crew Leader is supervised by the Chancellor, Mtn. Grove Campus, assigns day-to-day work to the Field and Maintenance Workers, and supervises temporary and student workers.
OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES
REVISED JANUARY 2024
