Posting Details

Posting NumberS02495PWorking TitleResearch Technician - Whiteflies, TiftonDepartmentCAES Horticulture Research CoastalAbout the University of Georgia

The University of Georgia (UGA), a land-grant and sea-grant university with statewide commitments and responsibilities is the state’s oldest, most comprehensive, and most diversified institution of higher education (http://www.uga.edu/). UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University’s main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA was founded in 1785 by the Georgia General Assembly as the first state-chartered University in the country. UGA employs approximately 1,800 full-time instructional faculty and more than 7,600 full-time staff. The University’s enrollment exceeds 36,000 students including over 27,500 undergraduates and over 8,500 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 17 schools and colleges, as well as a medical partnership with Augusta University housed on the UGA Health Sciences Campus in Athens.

About the College/Unit/Department

In 2018, The UGA Tifton Campus began a yearlong Centennial celebration.

Research is done on a wide range of commodities, including cotton, peanuts, vegetables and turf grass, all of which make agriculture the No. 1 industry in Georgia.

In 2004, a teaching program was initiated and it has been growing ever since. College-level instruction on campus is aimed at undergraduate and graduate-degree level study.

College/Unit/Department websitehttp://www.caes.uga.edu/campuses/tifton/departments/horticulture.htmlPosting TypeExternalRetirement PlanTRSEmployment TypeEmployeeBenefits EligibilityBenefits EligibleFull/Part timeFull TimeWork ScheduleAdditional Schedule Information

40 hours per week with schedule to be determined by supervisor.

Advertised SalaryCommensurate with education, experience and trainingPosting Date01/28/2019Open until filledYesClosing DateProposed Starting Date03/01/2019Special Instructions to Applicants

This position is located in Tifton, GA, which is approximately 200 miles southwest of Athens, Georgia, 200 miles south of Atlanta, GA and approximately 70 miles north of the Florida line.

Location of VacancyTifton Area EEO Policy Statement

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, genetic information, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation or protected veteran status.

Classification TitleAgriculture/Forestry Technical/Paraprofessional/ProfessionalPay GradeFLSAJob FamilyResearch And LabFTE1.0Minimum Qualifications

Requires technical knowledge in the field acquired through an apprenticeship, a 2-year degree, or professional certificate. Please contact your Human Resources office for an evaluation of education/experience in lieu of the required minimum qualificaitons.

Preferred QualificationsPosition Summary

This position is in support of whitefly research on vegetables in Georgia. Responsibilities include coordinating research station and on-farm research projects and working directly with research/extension scientists, county extension agents, and vegetable producers to manage a range of projects. It will be working with faculty in the Department of Entomology, Plant Pathology, and Horticulture to find innovative ways to manage whitefly-transmitted viruses in vegetables. The individual will be responsible for working with technical staff in the department of Horticulture and with student workers to manage all on-farm and on-station projects, including collecting data and entering it in the computer. The incumbent will work with county faculty in effectively conducting on-farm field trials, implementing and maintaining programs, and collecting and analyzing data obtained from field trials. The incumbent must be willing to travel.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies

Prefer someone with a Bachelor’s degree; however, will consider an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Pesticide applicator’s license or the ability to obtain one shortly after employment.

Experience operating farm equipment is a plus.

The incumbent will be expected to collect and enter data as well.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills are expected.

Physical Demands

Work in adverse weather conditions, lift at least 50 lbs and climb, bend, squat, etc.

Is driving a responsibility of this position?Is this a Position of Trust?Does this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources?YesDoes this position require a P-Card? YesIs having a P-Card an essential function of this position? YesDoes this position have direct interaction or care of children under the age of 18 or direct patient care?Does this position have Security Access (e.g., public safety, IT security, personnel records, patient records, or access to chemicals and medications)Credit and P-Card policy

Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website.

Duties/Responsibilities

Duties/Responsibilities

Candidate will be responsible for managing and collecting data for field trials at research centers. This will included collecting yields, virus and vigor ratings, as well as whitefly counts on cucurbit vegetables, tomatoes, and snap beans. Trials will include germplasm evaluation, insecticide screenings, and implementation of production practices (mulches, fertility, release of predatory insects, etc.). Research centers may include but not be limited to Tifton, Attapulgus, Vidalia Onion and Vegetable Research Center. Trials will need to be rated and or monitored no less than weekly and for those in the Tifton location, several times per week. Data will be collected and entered into Excel or ARM software packages for statistical analysis. Rudimentary data analysis will be expected; however, advanced statistical analysis and report generation will be the responsibility of the supervising scientists. Candidate will be expected to maintain plots and make decisions regarding pest control, irrigation, fertigation and harvest intervals. Candidate will be expected to communicate directly with farm superintendents to establish responsibilities for management of trials.

Percentage of time50Duties/Responsibilities

Traveling to sentinel plots (on farm) and collecting samples around the state.

Percentage of time15Duties/Responsibilities

Working with county level extension professionals in coordinating research station and on-farm research projects.

Percentage of time20Duties/Responsibilities

Data entry, summarization of information collected.

Percentage of time15Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Applicant DocumentsRequired Documents

1. Resume/CV

Optional Documents

1. Cover Letter