Position:Senior Irrigationist
Location: Cressy, Tasmania
Company: Burlington Berries
Remuneration: $95k - $105k + superannuation
Classification: Full-Time
About Burlington Berries
Burlington Berries is a leading berry production company located in the fertile Northern Midlands of Tasmania. Known for delivering high-quality strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries to major national retailers, Burlington Berries combines innovative growing techniques with sustainable farming practices. Our operations combine leading horticultural practices with a strong commitment to sustainability, innovation, and excellence in every stage of berry production. Our team is passionate about excellence in horticulture and dedicated to producing premium fresh produce for Australian consumers
Position Overview
As a Senior Irrigationist at Burlington Berries, you will play a pivotal role in managing precise irrigation and fertigation systems tailored to berry production. You will oversee all aspects of water delivery and nutrient scheduling to ensure healthy plant growth, optimal fruit yield, and responsible water use. The Senior Irrigationist is responsible for the management of the company's irrigation team and systems, overseeing the use of water resources to maintain substrate health and maximise the growing of all crops and fruit production. This role is hands-on, requiring both fieldwork and technical oversight to support continuous improvement in our berry farming operations.
Key Responsibilities/Tasks
Irrigation Planning and Water Management
* Evaluate site-specific requirements including drainage patterns, and crop stages to determine optimal water application strategies.
* Design and monitor irrigation timetables across crop areas to align with weather and growth stages
* Monitor and adjust irrigation frequency and volume to meet the changing needs of different berry varieties, especially during flowering and fruiting stages.
System Implementation and Design Interpretation
* Interpret detailed irrigation designs, including subsurface drip and overhead systems used in tunnel and open-field berry production.
* Implement new irrigation zones and seasonal system modifications, ensuring alignment with planting cycles and farm layout.
Pumping Systems and Pressure Regulation
* Select, operate, and maintain variable-speed pump systems suited to high-efficiency water delivery across diverse berry blocks.
* Regularly assess pressure and flow rates to ensure consistent and uniform irrigation across fields and tunnels.
Maintenance and Troubleshooting
* Oversee regular inspections and maintenance of irrigation infrastructure including filters, valves, sensors, and control systems.
* Identify and respond to issues such as leaks, blockages, or hardware faults quickly to minimise crop stress and system downtime.
Supervision and Compliance - Infrastructure Installation and Upgrades
* Supervise irrigation system installations and upgrades, ensuring quality workmanship and adherence to safety and environmental standards.
Fertigation Scheduling and Execution
* Develop and manage fertigation programs, incorporating berry-specific nutrient needs.
* Operate and calibrate injection systems for accurate delivery of fertilisers during irrigation events.
Data Logging and Communication
* Maintain accurate records of irrigation volumes, fertigation schedules, and system maintenance in compliance with industry best practices and audit requirements for each crop type
Team Management
* Participate in weekly technical meetings, contributing to strategic decision-making and ensuring alignment with broader business goals
* Establish daily meetings to align the irrigation/fertigation plans with the daily climatic changes and crop requirements
* Ensure the Irrigation team always operates in a safe way and lead improvements in managing key risk areas
* Represent Burlington Berries at industry events and engagements
* Contribute to the wider business strategy and vision across all areas
Key Skills and Attributes
* Familiarity with both manual and automated irrigation systems, including drip lines and fertigation units.
* Strong diagnostic and problem-solving abilities in field conditions.
* Effective communication and teamwork skills to coordinate with agronomy, planting, and harvest teams.
* Attention to detail and a commitment to producing premium quality fruit with minimal resource waste.
Qualifications and Experience
* Certificate II or III in Agriculture, Irrigation, or Horticulture and one year of work experience (at least 20+hrs per week), or have at least 2 years full time work experience in lieu of formal qualifications
* Extensive working understanding of irrigation systems, pumps, and fertigation principles is a must
* Current driver's licence required; machinery tickets (e.g., forklift, quad bike) are beneficial but not essential.