Citrus Irrigation Manager Vitonga Farms View all jobs Moree, Tamworth & Northwest NSW Horticulture (Farming, Animals & Conservation) Full time $95,000 – $105,000 per year Posted 14d ago 95-105K Attractive Package Full-Time Summary At Vitonga Farms (VF), we strive to create an environment that is mutually beneficial. We know that a work environment that helps our staff to achieve their goals, will help us achieve ours too. In this role you will be responsible for supporting the General Manager, Citrus Manager and our team across multiple projects and developing the skills as we look to become Australia’s leading citrus farms. We do not expect you to be proficient across all requirements, but we are looking for quick learners who are willing to develop over time. If you’ve got it in you, we will find a way to get it out. Who You Are You are a pragmatic, empathetic, critical thinker; someone who asks “why”. We’re looking for candidates who are excited to take on the inertia of the status quo and be an agent of change. Additionally, you have ample operational farm experience, including tractor operations, harvesting, workshop skills, pruning, hedging, and proficiency in irrigation and fertigation systems. Strong organisational and collaborative skills, as well as excellent verbal and written communication abilities, are also essential. Further, you: Have a decent foundation in citrus agronomy, plant health, irrigation & fertigation. Possess strong computer organisational skills, including literacy in Microsoft office applications, competency with budgets and decent research skills. Adhere to farm Work Health Safety practices and provide safe working environment for your staff through consultation, implementation, training and maintaining records. Demonstrated ability that you enjoy working a team environment. Ultimately, we’re hunting for candidates that have a growth mindset, drive for success (not necessarily type A though) and people who enjoy collaborative problem solving whilst also getting their hands dirty. Key Responsibilities & Duties Working with the citrus manager to implement best practices in citrus orchards to optimize yield and fruit quality. Overseeing irrigation schedules, fertilization, canopy management, and new orchard developments while maintaining safety protocols to minimize accidents and promote a culture of responsibility at Vitonga Pty Ltd. Develop and implement water budgets and irrigation schedules based on soil, climate, plant requirements and site's unique conditions. Inspect site and monitor water usage, plant health and fertigation system performance. Identify needed repairs and recommend enhancements to reduce water waste and cost. Work with farm manager to develop budget and implement plans for preventative, scheduled and emergency repairs, as well as irrigation system upgrades. Provide direction to farm manager and irrigator on system use, scheduling and maintenance. Managing the nutrition of citrus crops. This entails ensuring that the trees receive the necessary nutrients for healthy growth and maximum fruit production. Requirements AQF Bachelor Degree or equivalent or at least 5 years of related experience. (Tertiary Education, University preferred but not necessarily). Experience in horticulture (citrus). Good experience on the tools. Computer and IT skills About the Farms Over the past 15 years Vitonga Farms has been steadily rolling back irrigated cotton. In favour of drip irrigated citrus for increased water efficiency and drought security. In 2022 our 280,000 citrus trees produced 13000 tonnes of oranges, we harvested 5000 tonnes of barley, and 9000 bales of irrigated cotton were picked off the bush. Our citrus is harvested 9 months of the year for juicing and goes to our other business grovejuice.com.au who supplies our own brands as well as the four major supermarkets and export market in South-East Asia. Our properties are an 8 min drive (9km) North-West of Moree, NSW. We take an active position in the industry via industry-based associations, not-for-profit work and local sponsorships. Vitonga Farms has strong water & market stability, our staff have good job security and as a result we retain great knowledge as a collective unit. Training We understand that the world is changing rapidly and staying in the same jobs for 20 years plus is rare these days. To that point, we will help you with industry tickets & professional training to suit your needs. So, if you do have to move on one day, you’ll leave our farm more qualified than when you joined us. That said, we have many staff members that have been with us for decades. Work Life Balance Your life outside of the job is important to us. Moree is a place of relaxation and rejuvenation. Located in the beautiful Gwydir Valley in Northwest NSW. Soak in the hot artesian springs. Local rivers and weirs for fishing and water sports. Multiple areas for hunting, shooting and local sporting organizations. Socials/Web vitongafarms Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter www.vitongafarms.com.au How to Apply To apply for these positions please send an updated Resume & cover letter to jobsvitongafarms.com.au Equal Opportunity Employer Statement Vitonga Pty Ltd is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, colour, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.