Herbage Trials Officer - Edinburgh, United Kingdom - Scottish Government

Scottish Government
Scottish Government
Verified Company
Edinburgh, United Kingdom

2 weeks ago

Tom O´Connor

Posted by:

Tom O´Connor

beBee Recruiter
Description

Overview:
Are you someone with an interest in agricultural botany or agronomy and have an aptitude for data collection?


If this is you and you would like the opportunity to be an integral part of our small specialist herbage trials team, we would like to hear from you.

The Herbage Trials Officer is based at SASA within the Herbage unit of the Variety Testing Branch.

The Branch is responsible for the delivery of Distinctness, Uniformity and Stability (DUS) and Value for Cultivation and Use (VCU) tests and trials at SASA for a range of vegetable and agricultural crops including potato and herbage.


You will provide support to the Herbage Trials manager with the planning, sowing, harvest and data collection/processing from National List VCU, and other, herbage field trials.

You will also assist the Variety Testing team with vegetable and agricultural trial work as priorities dictate.

Additionally, you will be expected to develop a working competence inspecting crops entered under the Seed Certification scheme in Scotland, as well as playing an active part in SASA's seed sampler training courses.

Although much of the work is team-orientated, you can expect to be lone working from time to time and, on occasion, weekend, public holiday and evening work may be required.

The majority of work carried out in this role will conducted outdoors in a field trial situation, with occasional work within a laboratory.

Attendance later in the day will be required at key times to ensure that blocks of work are completed to timetable (e.g., trial sowings and cuts, sample processing and recording).


This position will suit someone with an interest in agricultural botany or agronomy as well as an aptitude for data collection.

An eye for detail would be beneficial.

An adaptable and flexible approach is required, especially during times of competing priorities, to ensure that blocks of work are completed to timetable (e.g., trial sowings and cuts, sample processing and recording) sometimes in inclement weather conditions.

The post holder will be a key member of the Variety Testing team with the ability to work flexibly and build good working relationships at all levels.

Some driving is required in the role, therefore a full driving license is necessary.


Responsibilities:


  • Work under the direction of the Herbage Trials Manager to plan, sow and manage varietal performance trials for statutory VCU, Recommended List and commercial purposes
  • As part of these duties, the post holder will spend much of their time in the field undertaking trial sowing, monitoring, harvesting and recording results.
  • The post holder will become proficient in the use of trial protocols and procedures and the equipment and technology used in the trials including weighing equipment and grassland husbandry practices
  • Management of established trials to include path and interplot boundary maintenance, and postharvest tidyups and edging. Application of fertiliser according to prearranged schedule, and herbicide spraying for which certification PA1 and PA6 would be required after training
  • Maintenance of plot machinery to include routine oil changes and lubrication as required according to predefined service schedules. General plot equipment (including lawnmowers and portable sprayers) repairs as required. The postholder will record these events for Quality Assurance purposes.
  • Assist in the preparation and delivery of Seed Sampling courses and other events such as trade field trial visits as required. Sample seed at various locations throughout Scotland after successfully completing the Seed Sampling course.
  • Add, extract and discard seed from the SASA seed reference collections, mainly herbage and noncereal Certification and Enforcementrelated.

Competencies:

Self-awareness

Team Work

Communications and Engagement

Information Management

Customer Service


Essential Criteria & Qualifications:

Essential Criteria:


  • An ability to work as part of a team, sharing information, communicating and negotiating both with immediate colleagues and others across various branches and divisions.
  • Experience of operating and maintaining agricultural/field trial equipment including harvesting equipment and spraying/fertiliser apparatus.
  • Possess good organisational and planning skills, including the ability to balance competing priorities and work to strict deadlines whilst maintaining focus and accuracy.
  • Basic knowledge of crop trials and/or knowledge of the botany/agronomy of field crops aligned with a conscientious and methodical attitude to accurate data collection and record management.

Location:
Rodding Road, Edinburgh, EH12 9FJ


Interview and Assessment:
Dates to be confirmed


Minimum time in post:


You will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of three years unless successful at gaining promotion to a higher Band or Grade.


HOW TO APPLY & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:


How to apply:


Additional information
More jobs from Scottish Government
See all jobs of Scottish Government