Agricultural Consultant

About the Position

THE GROW CENTRE NURSERY PTY LTD is seeking a dynamic, creative and career-focused Agricultural Consultant to join our growing company.

The successful candidate will provide professional agricultural and horticultural advice across commercial plant production, plant health, crop cultivation, pest and disease management and production improvement.

The position will work closely with management and nursery staff to improve plant quality, production efficiency and plant-health outcomes, while contributing to the ongoing development and expansion of the company’s nursery operations.

In addition to supporting the company’s current nursery operations, the position will also contribute to the company’s future growth and expansion plans. The company intends to expand its commercial nursery and greenhouse growing capacity by developing additional growing areas and increasing the range and volume of commercially produced plants and crops.

The position will therefore have an important role in supporting the company as it progresses its future expansion plans, including the development of additional production capacity and the implementation of efficient and sustainable growing systems for the company’s planned nursery expansion.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

Your main duties will include, but are not limited to, the following:

·      Collecting and analysing data and samples of plants, growing media, soil and other factors affecting commercial plant and crop production.

·      Studying environmental factors affecting commercial crop and plant production, including growing conditions, temperature, humidity, light, irrigation and other environmental influences.

·      Studying the effects of cultivation techniques, soil and growing media, insects and plant diseases on commercial plant production.

·      Developing procedures and techniques for solving agricultural and horticultural problems and improving the efficiency and quality of production.

·      Managing and optimising nursery growing resources to support long-term commercial plant production and efficient use of growing areas.

·      Studying the propagation and culture of plants, methods for improving plant growth and stock quality, and techniques for improving commercial nursery production.

·      Preparing plans for future nursery growing areas and developing efficient cultivation and production systems.

·      Investigating, planning and implementing management procedures to address plant pests, diseases, environmental stresses and other factors that may affect commercial plant production.

·      Providing technical advice on plant cultivation, crop production and plant-care practices.

·      Assessing plant health and identifying pests, diseases, nutrient deficiencies and environmental stresses affecting nursery stock.

·      Developing and monitoring plant-health, pest and disease-management programs.

·      Advising on integrated pest management (IPM) practices and appropriate pest and disease control strategies.

·      Advising on growing media, fertilisation, plant nutrition, irrigation, drainage and environmental requirements.

·      Monitoring plant growth, crop performance and nursery stock quality and recommending improvements.

·      Investigating plant losses and developing strategies to reduce wastage and improve production outcomes.

·      Maintaining records relating to plant health, pest and disease incidents, treatments, production performance and stock quality.

·      Researching new plant varieties, cultivation techniques and sustainable commercial nursery-production practices.

·      Providing technical agricultural and horticultural advice and support to nursery staff.

·      Assisting with staff training and providing education on plant health, cultivation, pest and disease management and production procedures.

·      Monitoring, recording and responding to invasive pests, plant diseases and other biosecurity risks that may affect nursery operations.

·      Advising management on improvements to nursery production systems, plant quality and operational efficiency.

·      Assisting with crop planning, production scheduling and forecasting future plant-stock requirements.

Qualification

Bachelor’s degree or higher in Agriculture or a closely related field.

Experience

At least 1 year’s relevant experience in a similar position.

To Be Successful in This Role

The successful candidate will have:

·      Strong knowledge of agricultural and horticultural principles.

·      Good understanding of plant cultivation, crop production, plant nutrition, pest and disease management.

·      Strong plant identification and plant-health assessment skills.

·      Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

·      Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

·      Ability to work independently and as part of a team.Strong time-management and organisational skills.

·      Ability to manage multiple responsibilities and work effectively under pressure.

·      Strong attention to detail.

·      Strong leadership and communication skills.

·      Ability to provide practical technical recommendations to management and staff.

How to Apply

If you satisfy the above requirements and are interested in developing your career within a commercial nursery and horticultural environment, please apply outlining your relevant experience and explaining why you are suitable for the position.

Email a copy of your resume to: **@ips-vic.com.au

Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.