Assistant Weed Biocontrol Supervisor
Listing reference: sasa_000027
Listing status: Under Review
Apply by: 5 August 2021
Position summary
Industry: Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing
Job category: Agriculture, Forestry, Environmental and Fishing
Location: Durban
Contract: Fixed Term Contract
EE position: Yes
Introduction
Assistant Week Biocontrol Supervisor
Contract Position – I year
The South African Research Institute has a contract vacancy for an Assistant Weed Biocontrol Supervisor within the Weed Biocontrol Programme. The Weed Biocontrol Programme is an externally funded research programme managed by SASRI. Reporting to the Supervisor the incumbent will be required to provide entomological expertise, assist with staff supervision and greenhouse and irrigation equipment running and management, as well as assist in the mass rearing of biological control agents for aquatic and terrestrial invasive plants. The successful incumbent will contribute to research focusing on maximising insect production to achieve the objectives of the Weed Biocontrol Programme. This position is based in Mount Edgecombe, KwaZulu-Natal.
Job description
The following are key performance areas of the job:
· Providing entomological expertise by monitoring and controlling any pests and diseases that might infect insect and host plant cultures, and conditions in green and glasshouses used for host plant and insect
rearing
· Maintaining accurate electronic records of the insect colonies and green, glasshouse , irrigation and fertigation conditions
· Developing SOP’s for all biological control agents and host plant cultures
· Communicating with the Weed Biocontrol Project Manager, Weed Biocontrol supervisor and Weed Biocontrol researchers at other institutions for rearing methods for the biocontrol agents and making them
applicable for the mass rearing facilities available at SASRI.
· Supervising the Weed Biocontrol team in the absence of the Weed Biocontrol Supervisor
· Maintaining good greenhouse and irrigation/fertigation use and maintenance in the absence of the weed biocontrol supervisor
· Facilitating informal training of the team on the life cycle of the insects, pest identification, and greenhouse and irrigation use.
Minimum requirements
The successful candidate should have:
· BSc (Hons) in Entomology/ Horticulture with training in insect rearing and invasive alien plant control
· Computer literacy in word processing, excel spread sheet, data logging and recording and electronic mail programmes
· At least one years’ experience in horticulture or insect rearing production. Some experience in employee supervision and greenhouse and fertigation management would be advantageous
· Experience in conducting and trouble shooting research projects in insect production
· Ability to speak and understand isiZulu is desirable
· Driver’s license Code B – old code 08.
The contract has the possibility of renewal based on individual performance and project funding.
To apply, please apply on-line via the job portal on the SASA website
Closing date for applications is 20 July 2021. SASRI reserves the right to consider applications received after this date but will not be obliged to do so.