Description

External Retirement Plan TRS Employment Type Employee Benefits Eligibility Benefits Eligible Full/Part time Full Time Work Schedule Additional Schedule Information
Work schedule to be determined by supervisor
Advertised Salary Commensurate with Experience Posting Date 09/10/2025 Open until filled Yes Closing Date Proposed Starting Date 10/13/2025 Special Instructions to Applicants
This position is located in Tifton, GA, which is approximately 200 miles southwest of Athens, Georgia, 200 miles south of Atlanta, GA and approximately 70 miles north of the Florida line.

Location of Vacancy Tifton Area EEO Policy Statement
The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR (hrweb@uga.edu).
USG Core Values Statement
The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning, as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Position Information

Classification Title Research Tech-Life Science I FLSA Non-Exempt FTE 1.00 Minimum Qualifications
High school diploma or equivalent
Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Horticulture, Crop and Soil Sciences, or related field; or an equivalent combination of education, experience and training
• Experience in working with greenhouse and field cultivation
• Basic understanding of plant genetics and molecular biology
• Technical or Scientific writing experience
• Commercial Driver's License (or ability to get one)
• Pesticide Applicator's License or ability to obtain one within three months of employment

Position Summary
The UGA blueberry breeding program focuses on developing blueberry cultivars adapted to the South Georgia growing environment and ornamental varieties for home gardening. The agriculture technician will support both field and lab activities and will be responsible for the training and supervision of undergraduate workers. Most of the effort will focus on managing the blueberry research farm located at Alapaha, Georgia including fungicide and herbicide applications, maintaining irrigation system, fertilization, weed control, bed preparation, and seedling transplanting. The incumbent will also assist in managing blueberry facilities on the Tifton campus including greenhouse, nursery pads, and the misty house. The management includes irrigation, weed control, planting seedlings and establishing root cuttings. The incumbent will facilitate field sample and data collection during flowering and harvesting season and assist on-going research projects. The incumbent will be involved in lab work for sample measurements such as fruit weight, fruit firmness and acidity measurements.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies

• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Positive attitude.
• Excellent work ethic.
• Willingness to learn.

Physical Demands

• Lift 50 pounds frequently and up to 100 pounds occasionally.
• Vision and steadiness of hands needed for cross pollination.
• Work outside under high heat and humidity.
• Bend, squat, stand for extended period of times.
• Driving as needed to perform job duties.

Is driving a responsibility of this position? Yes Is this a Position of Trust? Yes Does this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources? No Does this position require a P-Card? No Is having a P-Card an essential function of this position? No Does this position have direct interaction or care of children under the age of 18 or direct patient care? No Does this position have Security Access (e.g., public safety, IT security, personnel records, patient records, or access to chemicals and medications) Yes Credit and P-Card policy
Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website.
Background Investigation Policy
Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable. Please visit the UGA Background Check website.

Duties/Responsibilities

Duties/Responsibilities
Research & Farm Management

• Collect phenology data of plant growth using the fieldbook app during flowering and fruiting season.
• Collect fruit weight, firmness and sugar acid content data in the lab.
• Transfer and organize data using excel.
• Perform sample tissue storage and DNA extraction, quantification, dilution and organize sample shipment.
• Set up PCR reactions and run gel electrophoresis for product detection.
• Set up seed germination in growth chamber and transfer seedlings to growth mediums for greenhouse advancement.
• Perform field transplanting of young bushes.
• Ensure the soil preparation, irrigation, and transplanting are done properly.
• Assist bush management at the Alapaha Blueberry Farm.

Percentage of time 50 Duties/Responsibilities
Greenhouse, Nursery & Misty House Management

• Assist with daily operation and maintenance of the greenhouse, nursery and misty house.
• Keep the greenhouse, nursery and misty house clean and organized.
• Assist with weed and pest control.
• Carry out hand-pollination in the greenhouse.
• Data collection.

Lab Duties

• Coordinate multiple lab research activities
• Inventory Management of equipment

Percentage of time 35 Duties/Responsibilities
Supervising Duties

• Assign tasks to grad students and student workers.
• Supervise student workers engaging in fruit picking, weighing, counting, seed collecting and field weed control.
• Perform new student/staff trainings required by UGA.

Percentage of time 10 Duties/Responsibilities
Miscellaneous

• Other duties as assigned.

Percentage of time 5

Contact Information

Recruitment Contact

Contact Details
For questions concerning this position or recruitment progression, please refer to the Recruitment Contact listed below.
Recruitment Contact Name Dr. Juliette Chu Recruitment Contact Email ychu@uga.edu Recruitment Contact Phone

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

1. * Do you have a valid driver's license?
   • Yes
   • No

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

1. Resume/CV
2. Cover Letter
3. List of References with Contact Information

Optional Documents