Orchard Productivity Extension Officer

Summary about this job

Detail information about job Orchard Productivity Extension Officer. Terms and conditions vacancy

• Global Organization, ‘Leading Edge Horticulture Research’
• Be the face of ‘Kiwifruit Innovation and Enterprise’
• Multifaceted role, Focus on building sustainable relationships/networks

Our client, an internationally respected grower-owned and established organisation, continually focuses on providing premium quality and value, to their brand of fruit and are known for being the ‘best in the world.’ Innovation and a world-class breeding programme dedicated to the development of new varieties, concurrent with optimisation of orchard productivity for the existing varieties, are key strategies to ensure their leading global reputation.

The New Zealand Orchard Productivity Centre (OPC) team are focussed on empowering Zespri growers, through extension/education activities, to make continuous productivity and quality improvements to increase orchard profitability. A significant portion of the Orchard Productivity Extension Officer duties will be, under the direction of the OPC Field Technician, to set up and collect data on robust kiwifruit grower trials which are designed to evaluate/and or demonstrate the effectiveness of different or novel orchard management techniques.

When not undertaking fieldwork, the Orchard Productivity Extension Officer will support the wider OPC team extension programme activities.

Key responsibilities of this role will include;

• Management of a simple grower trial programme as per OPC Trial processes and collection of on-orchard operational data to evaluate/and or demonstrate the effectiveness of different techniques and which is focussed on optimisation of the production system (such as understanding pollination systems, relationship between crop load and dry matter, pruning systems, etc.).
• Maintaining trial documentation.
• Liaise, support and complement other industry groups’ technical forums and activities.
• Develop technical resources to support the adoption of new information.
• Support grower extension/ education programmes that encourage the adoption of good-practice and that profile innovative technical ideas and practices, with the overall objective of improving orchard performance and optimising grower profitability.

To be considered for this role, you will ideally have the following skills and attributes;

• Relevant Tertiary Qualification in Horticulture/Agriculture or a similar field.
• Proven experience within the kiwifruit industry or a similar sector.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills at all levels of the business, whilst, consistently upholding the organisation’s values and ethics. Technical writing skills would be an advantage.
• Ability to develop strong effective relationships with growers, industry technical staff and Zespri personnel.
• Intuitive and logical problem solving skills, where you are able to make informed decisions.
• Self-motivated, resilient with a ‘can do’ attitude and a high level of flexibility to adapt to change in circumstances.

Key to your success will be your ability to develop and maintain strong networks/relationships within the relevant stakeholders to achieve successful outcomes.

This is a 10 months fixed term position, where you will have the opportunity to gain experience in this dynamic and progressive organisation with a great work culture. To learn more about this outstanding opportunity, apply online today with a CV and Cover letter in WORD format only, quoting job number 14/1806/PB to [email protected] or call Pavan on 09 5255520 for a confidential discussion.