Position Title:Agricultural Specialist II
Job Group:Professional & Scientific
Required Minimum Qualifications:Bachelor’s degree and 2 years of related experience
Special Required QualificationsDrivers License
Preferred Qualifications:Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Systems Technology
Experience operating specialized agronomic research equipment (tractors, seed cleaning equipment such as spiral separators and VMek color sorters, cultivators, and sprayers) and in erecting and screening field and greenhouse cages.
Experience growing and harvesting oilseed plants such as cultivated and wild sunflower, cultivated and wild flax, and oilseed brassicacese.
Experience using the GRIN Global database and the Field Book electronic application for managing and collecting field and greenhouse data and images.
Supervisory experience
Job Description:
This role is administered within Iowa State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and involves working with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), at the North Central Regional Plant Introduction Station (NCRPIS) in Ames, Iowa. The position is crucial to the maintenance, preservation, characterization, documentation, and distribution of the National Plant Germplasm System’s (NPGS) oilseed collections. These collections include wild and cultivated sunflower, oilseed Brassicaceae such as camelina and canola, wild and cultivated flax, cuphea and miscellaneous other oilseeds.
The mission of this Unit is to maintain the genetic variation of priority plant genetic resource (PGR) collections and improve associated information and management tools that facilitate their conservation and utilization in research and crop improvement. The Unit supports sustainable agricultural productivity, health and nutrition, and economic growth through its activities. The NCRPIS gene bank has been collecting germplasm since the 1940s and maintains around 40,000 accessions. These accessions come from all over the world, with some being key for incorporating disease and insect resistance into our important crops.
This position offers a unique opportunity to engage with international researchers and breeders while distributing seeds worldwide. You may attend educational seminars, travel to meetings, and collaborate with sister stations. You will mentor and guide students through educational programs and internships, supporting their career development. You should be prepared to work outside or in the greenhouse daily, regardless of weather conditions. The role frequently requires lifting up to 50 lbs, with or without accommodation. Additionally, you will be working around pollinators and stinging insects. Members of this team are enthusiastic about nature, conservation, and wildlife. Join us in preserving and advancing agricultural variation while contributing to the legacy of global agricultural research and conservation!
Key Responsibilities:
+ Team Leadership: Manage 2-6 students and temporary employees and oversee day-to-day activities in the greenhouse including planting, harvesting, seed cleaning, and recording observations.
+ Field Operations: Grow plant materials in screened field cages and in rows, using insect pollinators and hand pollination, managing various resources and supplies, and recording observations. Erect and screen the field and greenhouse cages.
+ Equipment Operation: Operate field equipment such as small-plot tractors, tillers, mowers, and specialty equipment for planting and harvesting.
+ Plant Health Monitoring: Observe and document oilseed plant health, taking field notes, and addressing any issues.
+ Database Management: Work with national and territorial databases especially the GRIN Global database, managing information related to the oilseed project and support teams such as germination, pathology (scouting for disease), entomology (requesting pollinators and controlling pests) and seed storage
+ Coordination: Collaborate with other projects and units, consulting with the project manager and coordinating resources across multiple projects.
+ Administrative Duties: Handle timekeeping on Workday for temporary employees, manage seed orders, andact as the on-call back up when the farm manager is out of the area. Perform other farm specific tasks as needed.
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an on-going basis without sponsorship.
This is a term position with opportunity for annual renewal.
Level Guidelines- Individual contributor position with developing professional and/or technical skills working under immediate to general supervision- Grasps professional-level knowledge and concepts of field while working in a progressive learning mode- Works on problems and issues of somewhat limited scope- Follows standard practices and procedures in analyzing situations or data for which answers are available or can be obtained- Responds to inquiries and issues, escalating to manager or higher level workers as appropriate- May lead projects of limited scope and complexity- Provide guidance to students
Appointment Type:Regular with Term Appointment (Fixed Term)
Proposed End Date or Length of Term:February 28, 2026
Number of Months Employed Per Year:12 Month Work Period
Time Type:Full time
Pay Grade:PS806
Application Instructions:
To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:1) Resume/Curriculum Vitae2) Letter of Application/Cover LetterIf you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.Why Choose ISU?Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental; as well as:- Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans- Generous vacation, holiday and sick time and leave plans- Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)- Life insurance and long-term disability- Flexible Spending Accounts- Various voluntary benefits and discounts- Employee Assistance Program- Wellbeing program
Original Posting Date: February 4, 2025
Posting Close Date:February 11, 2025
Job Requisition Number:R16344
By focusing on the future and providing the best student experience possible, Iowa State attracts students and faculty who want to make a difference. With a comprehensive?land-grant?mission of education, research, extension and outreach, we produce scholars whose ideas change the world. And through Innovate at Iowa State , we provide innovative and entrepreneurial opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Located just 30 minutes north of Des Moines, the city of Ames was recently named one of the Top 10 cities in the U.S. for campus life and career opportunities.
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All offers of employment, oral and written, are contingent upon the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by federal and state law, ISU policies/procedures, and may include the completion of a background check and/or a consumer credit check.
Iowa State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, marital status, disability, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against. Inquiries can be directed to the Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, 515 294-7612, email eooffice@iastate.edu .
If you have questions about the application process please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll-Free at 1-877-477-7485 . Iowa State University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should email employment@iastate.edu or call (515) 294-4800 or Toll-Free: (877) 477-7485 . TTY users are welcome to use the Iowa Relay Service number by dialing 7-1-1 or (800) 735-2942 .
General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources (https://www.hr.iastate.edu/careers/compensation) website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.
