Agriculture Jobs in California

Job Summary

Under the general direction of the Senior Associate Dean, the individual in this position is responsible for all aspects of assigned equipment design, fabrication, construction, installation, maintenance and repair for unique highly technical and prototype equipment, operating systems and facilities specific to Food Science, Nutrition, Meat Processing and Dairy Products Processing. The duties of the individual in this position include the technical support of the for-profit operations associated with the Food Science and Nutrition Department, the Animal Science Department (CPC Chocolates, Jams, Meats, and Dairy products), and other CAFES departments and units as per the direction of the Senior Associate Dean.

Department Summary

The Food Science and Nutrition (FSN) Department is comprised of 14 tenured/ tenure track faculty, two full-time and five to six part-time lecturers, and five support staff. Within the Department, there are two Bachelor of Science degree majors (Food Science and Nutrition), two minors (Food Science and Nutrition), a Master of Science degree with a specialization in Food Science and Nutrition, and a Master of Science in Nutrition.

The Animal Science Department houses academic programs and facilities in both the meat science and the dairy science products and processing. These academic programs prepare students for direct entry into the meat industry, dairy products processing industry or graduate school. The meat science program has production facilities in Building 155 and the dairy science program in Building 18A.

Key Qualifications

• Strong ability to troubleshoot equipment issues.
• Knowledge of and ability to safely operate, clean, repair, fabricate and order parts for equipment and instruments used in a pilot plant, meat processing or chemistry/research laboratory setting.
• Knowledge of and ability to safely operate and repair condensate and steam flow system, including valves, pressure regulators, controllers, condensate traps, and exhausts.
• Ability to independently diagnose, develop and fabricate unique equipment.
• Knowledge of and skilled in welding, soldering, brazing, and cutting.
• Ability to diagnose, reconfigure and/or repair electrical and electronic circuits (high and low voltage) related to light and heavy food science and nutrition laboratory equipment (e.g., industrial microwave oven), including component replacement on a circuit board.
• Ability to diagnose, create and/or repair mechanical components of complex food science, nutrition, meat processing, and food equipment, including fabricating new parts in a machine shop using lathes, mills, shaper, welding and other fabrication equipment.
• Ability to design needed modifications for equipment to support food science, animal science/meats, nutrition, and food lab courses and research functions.

Education and Experience

• Equivalent to three years of progressively responsible journey-level or skilled experience in the maintenance, repair and operation of scientific or technical equipment, including one year involving design modifications and fabrication of complex and highly technical equipment.
• Equivalent to two years of semi-skilled experience maintaining and repairing scientific or technical equipment or related equipment experience as part of instructional support activities may be substituted for one year of the required experience.
• Equivalent of two years of trade school or technical arts training with specialization in equipment repair specific to Food Science, Dairy Processing, or Meat Processing, completion of an apprenticeship program, or completion of a full military specialization in Food Science, Dairy Processing, or Meat Processing equipment maintenance and repair may be substituted for one year of the required experience.

Licenses, Certificates, Credentials

• Possession of a valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain by date of hire.

Salary and Benefits

Anticipated Hiring Range: $72,516 - $90,156 annually

Classification Range: $61,884 - $90,156 annually

Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Anticipated Hiring Range referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Classification Range may be broader than what the University anticipates paying for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).

Cal Poly offers a best-in-class benefits program, including health, dental and vision insurance, retirement participation in the Public Employees' Retirement System, and educational benefits for eligible employees. See our benefits website for additional information.

Cal Poly

Cal Poly is a nationally ranked public university located in San Luis Obispo, California, and known for its Learn by Doing philosophy. Each year more than 22,000 top-tier students come to San Luis Obispo and Cal Poly Maritime Academy in Solano County to put knowledge into action, taking their learning outside the classroom as they prepare for careers in engineering, agriculture, science, business, humanities, maritime and the built environment. Cal Poly’s hands-on philosophy, small class sizes and close student-faculty mentorships result in graduates ready from day one to impact their communities, California and the world. For more information, visit www.calpoly.edu.

Please watch the video linked here to learn more about the CSU system.

Equal Opportunity and Excellence in Education and Employment

This position is open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, Cal Poly provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. Cal Poly complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices.

Cal Poly is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities, committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs, student organizations and activities, faculty initiatives, and community partnerships, we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development, faculty and staff training, student mentorship, and comprehensive support programs. At Cal Poly, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.

Supplemental Information

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. Cal Poly will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Current employees who are offered positions on campus will be required to undergo a background check for any position where a background check is required by law or that Cal Poly has designated as sensitive. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

The person holding this position is considered a 'mandated reporter' under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

Cal Poly is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions. Applicants for staff and management positions must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Education Code 89521 Requirements: Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant’s current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.

Positions are posted for a minimum of 14 calendar days.