59760 Orchard Technician

Orchard Technician

Field Research Network

Te Puke, New Zealand

Vacancy number: 59760

Permanent fulltime: 38 hours per week

Join us in growing something great

If you love working outdoors and want a role where no two days are the same, this is your chance to make an impact.

• Are you eager to further your horticulture career?
• Does the idea of (most) weekends off appeal?
• Make a difference through your horticultural knowledge, passion and energy

What you will be doing | Ngā whāinga matua

As a key member of our team, you'll be helping to provide the best possible environment for our science teams to carry out their research and trials. This will include

• Assisting the Orchard Manager with monitoring and maintaining plant health and soil conditions to ensure optimum conditions
• Crop-spraying, weed-spraying, irrigation work, pruning and fertilization
• Onboarding casual workers and contractors to the site, ensuring all Health and Safety protocols are in place and well supported.

What you will bring | Ngā tino pūkenga me ngā wheako

You'll bring a practical mindset and a genuine passion for working outdoors in all seasons, thriving in a role that keeps you connected to nature. Your strong attention to detail and commitment to quality will help maintain the health and productivity of our orchard. You take safety seriously—both for yourself and others—understanding the importance of working responsibly with chemicals and sprays. Most importantly, you'll bring curiosity and enthusiasm for the work we do, building positive relationships with science staff, contractors, external clients, and visitors as part of a collaborative and supportive team.

Do you have:

• Experience in orchard operations and/or a relevant qualification in Horticulture
• A flair for machinery and the equipment used in orchard maintenance
• Enthusiasm to develop your skills and take on new learning opportunities.
• Physical fitness appropriate to our work on an orchard
• A full driver's licence

A copy of the Position Description is available for you to view once you click on the 'apply' button.

What you will get | Ngā hua o tēnei tūranga

The opportunity to work within a friendly, team-based environment that encourages and supports work-life balance, and to contribute to exciting projects with an organisation which has an excellent reputation for its science and for being a great place to work At PFR, we offer excellent employee benefits and flexibility, such as;

• Additional 7 days' leave and generous paid parental leave
• Excellent benefit choices in retirement savings and wellbeing & health
• Focus on health and wellbeing with enhanced sick leave
• Ongoing career development opportunities

About us | Ko wai mātou

We're building something new. On 1 July 2025, AgResearch, Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research, Plant & Food Research and Scion came together to form the Bioeconomy Science Institute. Now, we are more than 2200 people working to support the growth and resilience of the bioeconomy in New Zealand and beyond.

Together, our world-class science can do more to advance innovation in agriculture, horticulture, forestry, aquaculture, biotechnology and manufacturing; protect and enhance ecosystems from biosecurity threats and climate risks; and develop new bio-based technologies and products.

This position sits under the current Plant & Food Research group of the Bioeconomy Science Institute.

We welcome applicants who are excited to join us on this change journey.