Southern Farming Systems (SFS) is seeking a Field Trials Operator to join its team, based in Inverleigh, Victoria. The purpose of the role is to assist the SFS Operations Manager and R&E Officers to implement on-ground project and trial work.

The role will develop skills and knowledge to assist the SFS Operations Manager to ensure:
• sowing, harvesting, spraying and other inputs required in season are completed in a safe, cost-effective and timely manner.
• Transportation of machinery and goods in a safe, cost-effective and timely manner.
• (Reco/stock) administration and inventory of inputs.
• Site and Machinery maintenance are completed in a safe, cost-effective and timely manner.

Responsibilities
Key Roles
• Guided by the SFS Operations Manager and other staff conduct trial operations including sowing, spraying, crop management in season and harvesting and operation of state-of-the-art machinery associated with these activities.
• Assist the SFS Operations Manager  and other staff in planning and logistical management of sowing, harvest, spraying, and other inputs required in season.
• Work directly with other SFS staff using agricultural machinery and small plot equipment.
• Assist the SFS Operations Manager to maintain field research equipment including tractors, plot harvesters, seeders, etc.
• Liaise with the SFS Operations Manager and other staff to ensure management of operations occurs in an efficient manner around key agronomic timings.
• Conduct trial specific treatments/applications and undertake assessments for trials and projects.
• Maintaining accurate record keeping of all operational tasks.
• Comply with work health safety (WHS), protocols and processes.

Skills and experience
• Demonstrated ability to learn and develop new skills as part of a team.
• An understanding or willingness to develop skills and knowledge in technical agriculture (trials) operations.
• Well-developed oral and written skills.

Qualifications
This position is ideally suited to a graduate of a technical agriculture, or closely related qualification however, evidence of experience on-farm will be equally well regarded.

Please apply with a cover letter and CV (with referees) in your application to office@sfs.org.au