Online applications must be received before 12:00am on:

December 11, 2024

If a date is not listed above, review the Applicant Instructions below for more details.

Available Title(s):

570F-YN_CS_NPS - Agricultural Research Technologist 2

Business Title:

Agricultural Research Technologist 2 | Mt Vernon R&E Center

Employee Type:

Classified

Position Details:

Summary of Duties:

The Agricultural Research Technologist 2 position will support the Berry and Potato Pathology, Soil Health, Soils and Water, and Vegetable Horticulture programs at the WSU Mount Vernon Northwestern Washington Research and Extension Center (NWREC). This includes helping to design and manage field trials, including making plot maps, performing tillage, applying fertilizer, planting, applying pesticides, irrigating, harvesting, and making crop management decisions; performing laboratory work, including preparing media, assessing disease incidence and severity, and conducting laboratory analyses of soil properties and fruit quality; and contributing to data input and management, statistical analysis, data visualization, and report writing.

Field and Greenhouse Activities | 50%

• Manages agronomic and horticultural crops with high technical skill comparable to commercial crop production.

• Directs field work and accepts full responsibility for crop management.

• Makes decisions on irrigation, fertilization, and pest control in consultation with the principal investigators.

• Establishes research plots in the field and imposes experimental treatments with a high degree of independence.

• Operates machinery including but not limited to tractors, tillage equipment, sprayers, and harvesters.

• Applies pesticides, fertilizers, and soil amendments.

• Collects and processes soil and plant samples from research trials and farm fields as directed.

• Conducts pruning and other management activities in perennial crops with skilled expertise.

Laboratory Work | 25%

• Prepares culture media and performs disease assays.

• Assesses disease incidence and severity.

• Conducts basic soil science analyses.

• Performs analyses of fruit and juice quality.

• Maintains, calibrates, and utilizes laboratory equipment.

Technical Office Work | 20%

• Inputs, manages, and summarizes data.

• Conducts basic statistical analyses.

• Visualizes data for reports and publications.

• Conducts literature searches as needed.

• Assists with the instruction of students and temporary staff.

• Serves on NWREC committees or performs other service activities as requested by the supervisors.

• Attends technical and professional meetings if requested.

• Provides project updates at lab meetings.

Other | 5%

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in the applied, biological, chemical, physical OR agri­cultural sciences, AND one year of experience as an Agricultural Research Technologist 1; OR equivalent education/experience.

• Bachelor of Science in agriculture, environmental sciences, or a closely related discipline.

• Pesticide applicators license or the ability to obtain a license within six months of the date of hire.

• Familiarity with agricultural research, field trials, and basic experimental design principles.

• Must have, or be able to obtain by time of hire, a valid driver’s license and meet requirements in accordance with SPPM 7.10 and departmental driving standards.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with pruning and management of perennial crops.

• Experience with soil sampling and analysis.

• Prior experience farming or managing row crops, esp. potatoes.

• Ability to safely and proficiently operate a tractor and other farm equipment.

Additional Information:

Area/College:

College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS)

Department Name:

Plant Pathology

Soil Science

Horticulture

City, State, Zip:

Mount Vernon, WA, 98273

Department Link:

Mount Vernon NWREC

Berry and Potato Pathology

Soil Health Lab | WSU NWREC

LaHue Lab

Vegetable Research and Extension

Monthly Salary:

$3,477 - $4,632 | Range 40 Steps A - M | Successful candidates typically begin at the beginning of the salary range and receive scheduled salary increment increases in accordance with WAC 357-28.

Benefits: WSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes: paid sick and vacation leave; paid holidays; medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; deferred compensation and optional supplemental retirement accounts. For additional information, please review the summary of benefits offered by WSU for classified staff and Total Compensation.

FTE:

100%

This is a Permanent position

Time Type:

Full time

Position Term:

12 Month

WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EDUCATOR AND EMPLOYER. Members of ethnic minorities, women, special disabled veterans, veterans of the Vietnam-era, recently separated veterans, and other protected veteran, persons of disability and/or persons age 40 and over are encouraged to apply.

WSU employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

WSU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resource Services: 509-335-4521 (v), Washington State TDD Relay Service: Voice Callers: 1-800-833-6384; TDD Callers: 1-800-833-6388, 509-335-1259(f), or hrs@wsu.edu.

Notice of Non-Discrimination

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