Technician (Evaluations)

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 Bioeconomy Science Institute (BSI) 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 Values Be 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. Role Purpose To provide assistance to the evaluation teams across the full range of routine operations, including field evaluation, sample collection, psa monitoring, propagation, planting, and staff resourcing Role Accountabilities Organisation of all kiwifruit block plantings, ensuring accuracy in following block plans, scanning plant labels, creating plants in database(s), putting up block tags post-planting/grafting Field evaluation including, but not limited to, budbreak, flowering, fruit counts, components of yield and bud browning Collection of preharvest data, fruit maturity screening, harvesting and harvest evaluation, and postharvest evaluation Support for data handling and management including data collection, data entry into databases, software and hardware troubleshooting. Preparing files for the intermecs and tablets Coordination and management of casual staff to ensure all field work is completed to critical seasonal timeframes during peak periods Monitoring of cool stores Crossing and pollination, including collection of male buds and pollen extraction, bagging of female parents Apply sprays to control pests and diseases Lead or assist with routine tasks including, propagation of all kiwifruit seedlings, cuttings, grafts and monitoring of controls Liaise with researchers and industry to ensure that best practice propagation methods are being used Ensure efficiency in operational activities through the appropriate allocation of staff resources Preparation and labelling of seedlings for DNA testing, potting up, ensuring tracking accuracy and plant health as per our client contract At times may be required to be accountable for a full time Technical Assistant and for casuals who may be assigned to assist with various activities May be required to assist with other duties from time to time within the scope of this role Professional Knowledge, Skills and Qualifications Relevant undergraduate tertiary qualification or equivalent technical experience in the horticultural sector, ideally within the kiwifruit industry Proven skills in plant propagation, including kiwifruit 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 orchard A current Growsafe Certificate and quad bike licence would be an advantage Proven interpersonal and collaboration skills with the ability to communicate directly, pro-actively and constructively with colleagues and direct reports Proven organisational ability to manage tasks effectively to standards and deadlines Experience and confidence in using Microsoft Office applications (i.e. Excel, Access), use of, or knowledge of, data devices including PDAs and tablets Ability to contribute to data analysis and industry reporting Physically able to lift up to 20 kg and carry trays or crates of fruit following health and safety guidelines and safe lifting techniques Contribute to and support initiatives and activities that will assist KBC to deliver its strategy and vision Undertake any other tasks and activities, in keeping with your skills and experience, to support team delivery Ability to work alone without direct supervision and to manage and supervise casual employees during peak periods Available for work between 8.00 am and 4.30 pm Monday to Friday with flexibility to work longer hours during peak times including weekends Undertake any other tasks and activities, in keeping with your skills and experience, to support team delivery #J-18808-Ljbffr