Fixed Term Technician - Breeding Team (12 Months Parental Leave Cover) We are seeking a technician on a Fixed Term basis for 12 months to cover parental leave.ResponsibilitiesLead or assist with routine tasks including, propagation of all kiwifruit seedlings, cuttings, grafts and monitoring of controlsLiaise with researchers and industry to ensure that best practice propagation methods are being usedEnsure efficiency in operational activities through the appropriate allocation or financial and staff resourcesPreparation and labelling of seedlings for DNA testing, potting up, ensuring tracking accuracy and plant health as per our client contractOrganisation of all kiwifruit block plantings, ensuring accuracy in following block plans, scanning plant labels, creating plants in e-brida, putting up block tags post-plantingField evaluation including but not limited to flowering, fruit counts, components of yield and bud browningCrossing and pollination, including collection of male buds and pollen extraction, bagging of female parentsApply sprays to control pests and diseases including plant monitoringRoutine Psa monitoring, including updating the databaseCollection of preharvest data, fruit maturity screening, harvesting and harvest evaluation, and postharvest evaluationSupport for data handling and management including data collection, data entry into databases, software and hardware troubleshooting. Preparing files for the intermecs and tabletsCoordination and management of casual staff to ensure all field work is completed to critical seasonal timeframes during peak periodsMonitoring of cool storesAt times may be required to be accountable for a full time Technical Assistant and for casuals who may be assigned to assist with various activitiesMay be required to assist with other duties from time to time within the scope of this roleQualifications and ExperienceRelevant undergraduate tertiary qualification or equivalent technical experience in the horticultural, nursery production sector, ideally within the kiwifruit industryProven skills in plant propagation, monitoring, irrigation system, plant care, pest and disease, maintaining equipment and facility around the nursery, planning nursery production schedules (propagation, potting and planting)A good understanding of laboratory and field science operations and the ability to conduct basic technical operations in the laboratory, nursery, fruit packing areas and orchardA current Growsafe Certificate would be an advantageProven interpersonal and collaboration skills with the ability to communicate directly, pro-actively and constructively with colleagues and direct reportsProven organisational ability to manage tasks effectively to standards and deadlinesExperience and confidence in using Microsoft Office applications (i.e. Excel, Access), use of, or knowledge of, data devices including PDAs and tabletsAbility to contribute to data analysis and industry reportingPhysically able to lift up to 20 kg and carry trays or crates of fruit, handling trollies and trailers with plants loaded following health and safety guidelines and safe lifting techniquesContribute to and support initiatives and activities that will assist KBC to deliver its strategy and visionUndertake any other tasks and activities, in keeping with your skills and experience, to support team deliveryAbility to work alone without direct supervision and to manage and supervise casual employees during peak periodsAvailable for work between 8.00 am and 4.30 pm Monday to Friday with flexibility to work longer hours during peak times including weekendsUndertake any other tasks and activities, in keeping with your skills and experience, to support team deliveryHours: 5 Days per Week - Generally, between 8am – 4.30pm, Monday - Friday.About the Kiwifruit Breeding Centre (KBC)Our vision at the Kiwifruit Breeding Centre is to deliver the world's most irresistible, healthy fruit. For Good. Through accelerated research, better fruit and better outcomes - for our people, our regions, our planet.The Kiwifruit Breeding Centre is a 50/50 joint venture between The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited and Zespri International. We work together to drive greater innovation in kiwifruit breeding and to create healthier, better tasting and more sustainability-focused varieties to create more value for Aotearoa, New Zealand.At KBC, we encourage the team to live by our K.I.W.I ValuesBe K een – be positive, be proud and bring your best.Take the I nitiative – have courage, get stuck in and enjoy your work.One W aka – pull together, achieve more, faster and trust and be trusted.Act with I ntegrity – respect each other, be open and honest and speak up.If you enjoy working in a fast-paced, fun, friendly, welcoming environment undertaking rewarding work, we'd love to hear from you. Please apply via our Seek advert.Please note: KBC review happens on a rolling basis, and we will invite candidates to interview as we shortlist them. We recommend applying as early as possible for consideration.Your application will include the following questions:Which of the following statements best describes your right to work in New Zealand?How much notice are you required to give your current employer?Which of the following Microsoft Office products are you experienced with?What's your expected annual base salary?Report this job advert Don't provide your bank or credit card details when applying for jobs.#J-18808-Ljbffr
