Title:

570F-YN - Agricultural Research Technologist 2

Business Title:

Agricultural Research Technologist 2

Additional Titles:

Location:

WSU PULLMAN CAMPUS

Employee Type:

Classified

Job Family:

Civil Service - OT Eligible

Position Details:

Summary of Duties:

The Agricultural Research Technologist 2 position serves as a skilled technical specialist supporting germplasm regeneration and natural resource research in the Department of Crop and Soils Sciences. This position is responsible for managing the processing stages of drying, seed cleaning and delivery of seed with associated documentation to the USDA-ARS Seed Repository for distribution. This position will also assist the Agriculture and Maintenance Manager with some field maintenance of regenerated crops.

50% | Manage Seed Cleaning Operations and Facilities

• Communicate with unit curators and technicians for number of accessions, species and anticipated harvest schedules of material coming from Pullman farm, Central Ferry Farm, greenhouses, Prosser, and other “off-site” locations.

• Evaluate conditions of the plant material arriving at drying facilities.

• Apply and monitor proper drying methods, conditions, and time before seed extraction.

• Coordinate with Farm Manager, USDA Technicians and Curators on seed cleaning schedule. Determine space allocation for best drying conditions and appropriate material flow for seed cleaning facilities and operations.

• Advise Farm Manager, Technicians, Curators and Researchers of space allocation and flow of material through the facilities.

• Analyze / evaluate and execute viability-appropriate techniques of extracting seed to achieve optimal quality and quantity based on current or newly designed cleaning methods.

• Package and deliver properly labeled conditioned seed specimens to USDA-ARS seed repository on WSU campus, or back to Curators or Technicians as advised.

• Monitor and maintain threshing equipment, safety equipment and safety procedures throughout each workday.

• Inventory and stock all necessary operational and safety supplies for both Seed Cleaning and field operations for seed cleaning staff.

• Evaluate and maintain cleaning room and field safety equipment in compliance with Federal, State, and WSU policies and procedures.

• Maintain Seed Cleaning and associated buildings, notify Farm & Facilities Manager of facility problems or deficiencies.

• Perform maintenance on buildings and cleaning facilities according to maintenance schedules.

• Research and develop new seed cleaning techniques.

20% | Lead Staff

• Hire students and / or part-time help in accordance with WSU policies and procedures for the USDA-ARS Plant Introduction Seed Laboratories.

• Educate & Train personnel (student employees and Unit Technicians) in safety procedures, and the use of safety equipment required in the Seed Labs and around the field threshing equipment.

• Train and supervise personnel (unit technicians, student help, visiting research associates and Graduate students) on Procedure, Protocol, and Safety of the equipment in Seed Cleaning Facilities.

• Schedule fit tests and provide proper respiratory protection, hearing protection and safety glasses, supervising the use when determined.

• Determine and direct space allocation of the Unit’s stored materials within the farm facilities.

15% | Data Management

• Record all germplasm materials processed in Seed Cleaning.

• Document and label the final specimen sent to seed repository or back to the Researcher / Curator.

• Maintain and continually update the threshing protocols in the Procedures Manual.

• Document plant material quality and quantity and report to the Farm Manager, Curators, Researchers and Technicians.

• Keep records of the hours dedicated to each program, respectively.

• Record respirator maintenance schedule (PAPR acquisition and parts replacement).

• On a recurring schedule, record and report data for the drying shed temperature and humidity to the Farm Manager, Curators, Researchers and Technicians.

• Record and track work/maintenance done on all threshing machines maintained in seed cleaning facilities.

• Provide records and project needs to the farm manager on a regular basis.

10% | Field Maintenance

• Assist with the planting and maintenance of plant and seed regeneration in the field.

• Assist Farm Manager and Plant Tech 3 with hand hoeing plots at both Pullman and Central ferry research stations.

• Assist with monitoring for weed, insect pressure and report to Farm Manager.

5% | Other Duties

• Assist in other duties as required

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.

• Must have, or able to obtain, a valid driver’s license by time of hire.

Additional Information:

COVID-19 Vaccine Information:

In accordance with Washington State Governor's Proclamation 21.14.2, as a condition of employment, you must be fully vaccinated or have an approved medical/religious accommodation by time of hire. People are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving their last shot in a vaccine series. Full vaccination status or an approved accommodation will be verified prior to your first day of work. Should you not be fully vaccinated or have an approved medical/religious accommodation you will not be able to start employment with WSU. Information regarding vaccine verification and/or requesting a medical/religious accommodation is available at https://hrs.wsu.edu/covid-19/vax-verification/. Please contact HRS at hrs@wsu.edu or 509-335-4521 if you have questions.

Area/College:

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

Department Name:

Crop and Soils Sciences

City, State, Zip:

Pullman, WA 99164

Department Link:

https://css.wsu.edu/

Monthly Salary:

Range 40, $3,246.00 - $4,216.00 | Successful candidates typically begin at the beginning of the salary range and receive scheduled salary increment increases in accordance with WAC 357-28 or applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement.

FTE:

100%

Position Type:

Permanent

Screening Begin Date:

This position has been re-posted as Open until Filled. The screening of applicants will begin immediately.

Background Check:

This position has been designated by the department to require a background check

Application Instructions:

Applicants must attach the following documents to their online application: 1) resume and 2) cover letter. Applicants are required to include contact information for professional references within the application.

Application materials should clearly communicate how the applicant meets all required qualifications and additional requirements.

Required Documents:

1) Resume

2) Cover Letter

Time Type:

Full time

Position Term:

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.