Research and Extension Assistant

Employer: Kentucky State University
Location: Frankfort, KY, US

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Employment Type: Full Time
Institution Type: Four-Year Institution

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Job Details
Organization

TITLE: Research and Extension Assistant

DEPARTMENT: College of Agriculture

REPORTS TO: Associate Research Director

CLASSIFICATION: Staff-12 months

EFFECTIVE DATE: TBD

STANDARD WORK HOURS: 37.5 hours per week

EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Full-Time

EMPLOYMENT CLASSIFICATION: Non-Exempt

JOB SUMMARY:

The successful candidate in this position will support research and extension activities related to the 1890 Capacity Building Grant titled “Empowering Growers by Exploring Ethnic Vegetable Production and Market Opportunities for Crop Diversification in Kentucky.” The successful candidate will conduct research activities such as collecting data, preparing soil for planting, following experimental protocols for growing crops that includes activities such as planting/fertilizing/irrigating/spraying/data collection, harvesting and handling of crops, travelling to research and outreach sites, participating in making research and extension presentations/posters/videos/talking to farmers and other stakeholders.

The successful candidate will work closely with the principal investigator, staff, and students to conduct field and laboratory-based research.

Field Research: Participate in on-farm research, either at KSU farms or elsewhere.Laboratory Work: Use laboratory equipment to find critical parameters related to soils and crop growth.Data Management: Collect and summarize research data.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

The successful candidate will perform a variety of duties, including:

conducting research activities such as collecting datapreparing soil for plantingfollowing experimental protocols for growing crops that includes activities such as planting/fertilizing/irrigating/spraying/data collection, harvesting and handling of cropstravelling to research and outreach sitesparticipating in making research and extension presentations/posters/videos/talking to farmers and other stakeholders.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

Ability to carry out research using various fields and lab techniques as described above.Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing.Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with peers, farm crews, and studentsGood organizational skillsAbility to work under deadlines independently as well as in a team setting.Ability to supervise students.Willingness to occasionally work outside the scope of the research project.Vegetable farming Experience necessary.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

This position does not have supervisory responsibility.

OTHER DUTIES:

Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required: Bachelor’s Degree in Ag/Related field

Licensing and Certifications: NA

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work involves operating and maintaining research equipment and instrumentation.Hard labor may be needed during field work on the farm.May occasionally need to move light equipment and carry supplies, publications, and needed equipment for demonstration and training programs.Ability to carry objects over 50 pounds.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States. At this time, Kentucky State University is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa

Internal candidates are encouraged to apply.

KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY is an Equal Opportunity Employer

The functions, qualifications, knowledge/skills, and physical requirements listed in this job description represent the essential duties of the job, which the incumbent must be able to perform either with or without reasonable accommodation. The Job Functions listed do not necessarily include all activities that the individual may perform.

Our Mission

Kentucky State University is the state's unique, small, liberal studies institution with the lowest student-faculty ratio in the state system. The University shall serve as a residential institution with a range of traditional collegiate programs appropriate to its unique role.

Geographic Region
Kentucky State University's geographic region shall be state-wide for its liberal studies mission, its land grant functions, and its service to state government. In addition, Kentucky State University's primary service area for commuting students shall be for Franklin and contiguous counties.

Institutional Admission Standards
Kentucky State University shall admit students to the institution under selective admission standards to which exceed the minimum guidelines established by the Council on Higher Education, with only limited exceptions. Institutional policy for admitting under-prepared students, including the removal of academic deficiencies within a specified time frame. Through this approach, the University seeks to provide broad access and high-quality programs.

Degree Levels
Selected associate and baccalaureate degree programs shall be oriented toward liberal studies and selected career opportunities related to state government services. Kentucky State University shall offer selected master's degree programs based on demonstrated need, with priority given to a public administration curriculum to meet the needs of state government.

Strategic Directions/Program Priorities
The University shall focus on liberal studies programming. Drawing upon its African-American heritage, the University will promote the values and methods of interdisciplinary and multicultural education in its liberal studies offerings. All students shall participate in common curricula that explore the liberal studies. Drawing upon the multicultural strengths of the University, emphasis shall be placed on preparing minority students for careers in education and in other selected professions including business, computer science, nursing, human services, and public services. These strategic priorities translate into a core of liberal arts baccalaureate degree programs, in addition to degree programs at the associate [A], baccalaureate [B], and master's [M] levels that may include the following: education [B]; business [B]; computer science [A,B]; nursing [A]; home economics [B]; human services [B]; and public administration [B,M].

Enhancement of Instruction
The University shall emphasize teaching. Meeting student needs shall be paramount. The University shall focus on the needs of its students, which include, but are not limited to, full-time and part-time residential students, commuting students from its primary service area, and state governmental employees.

Service and Research Functions
Kentucky State University, as the 1890 land grant institution in the system, shall carry out its responsibilities under federal law and participate fully in appropriate U.S. Department of Agriculture programs, in accord with the mission of the University.

Kentucky State University shall be the major repository for the collection of books, records, and artifacts relative to the history and status of African-American citizens of the Commonwealth and elsewhere. The University shall make such materials available for casual and scholarly study.

Kentucky State University shall focus on meeting the applied research and service needs of state government.

Collaborative Ventures
The priority master's degree program offered by Kentucky State University shall be carefully articulated with related doctoral programs offered by the doctoral-granting institutions in the system. The University shall develop and employ telecommunication resources to communicate with other institutions in the fulfillment of its mission. Curriculum development shall emphasize the transfer of credits form other institutions toward degree completion.

Kentucky State University shall promote cost effectiveness in academic programming and institutional management. Strategic planning resulting in the elimination of duplicative or non-productive programs is essential while the development of carefully selected new programs compatible with the mission is appropriate. Measures of quality and performance shall be the foundation of the University's accountability system which promotes the continuous improvement of programs and services.

Efficiency and Effectiveness
Kentucky State University shall promote cost effectiveness in academic programming and institutional management. Strategic planning resulting in the elimination of duplicative or non-productive programs is essential while the development of carefully selected new programs compatible with the mission is appropriate. Measures of quality and performance shall be the foundation of the University's accountability system which promotes the continuous improvement of programs and services.

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