Position Title:Agrivoltaics Lead
Job Group:Professional & Scientific
Required Minimum Qualifications:Bachelor’s degree and 5 years of related experience
Preferred Qualifications:Experience with agriculture or farming
Experience with community or regional planning
Event planning experience
Some experience with conservation practices, especially those applied to farmlands.
Familiarity renewable energy, especially solar, and its potential impacts on agriculture.
Job Description:
We are seeking an Agrivoltaics Lead to join a multi-disciplinary team at Iowa State University. This project focuses on growing crops under and between photovoltaic (PV) panels to quantify the benefits of agriculture to solar energy production. This position will organize and execute monthly leadership meetings and quarterly team meetings, collaborate with on- and off-campus partners to disseminate knowledge on agrivoltaics (AV) and ecovoltaics (EV), and promote the science and practical applications of these fields. A key aspect of this role involves maintaining weekly contact with Alliant Energy to ensure site access for research, teaching, and extension activities at the Alliant Energy Solar Farm at Iowa State University (ISU). Additionally, responsibilities include leading farmer and farmland owner engagement to facilitate implementation of AV and EV practices, and representing the ISU AV team at external stakeholder meetings.
As the Agrivoltaics Lead, you will have the unique opportunity to be part of one of the first utility-scale solar facilities to integrate multiple forms of agriculture. We are at the forefront of an exciting and emerging field that combines sustainable agriculture and renewable energy, and you will contribute to groundbreaking research and outreach with the goal of scaling these agrivoltaics successes to other solar farms and communities. Your work will directly impact the growth of sustainable food production and renewable energy practices, helping rural areas and farmers benefit from these innovative approaches. If you’re passionate about sustainability and eager to shape the future of agriculture and energy, this role offers a rare chance to make a meaningful impact.
Part of your role will involve responding to inquiries for information, media contacts, or technical assistance that come through the AV project email. You will also act as the liaison between cooperating farmers, landowners, and ISU faculty, staff, and students. Additionally, you will assist with cataloging grant deliverables, reporting on grant progress, and providing support to students and postdoctoral researchers in field and laboratory activities related to the work at the Alliant Energy Solar farm @ ISU. You will also organize and execute field days at the solar farm, delivering presentations on AV, EV, and solar energy as needed.
This is position is not limited to office work and you will spend a significant amount of time in the field.
This is a term position with opportunity for renewal. The candidate will be hired as an Agricultural Specialist III.
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an on-going basis without sponsorship.
This position will be open until filled.
Level Guidelines- Senior-level position possessing high-level professional and/or technical skills working independently under minimal supervision to support ISU’s mission and department or work unit goals- Applies senior-level professional knowledge and expertise to work requiring greater latitude- Solves moderately complex problems and regularly exercises judgment to determine appropriate action- Regularly exercises judgment to resolve problems and determine appropriate action on a broad set of issue and problems. May provide recommendations regarding problems/issues outside the bounds of defined procedures and practices- Responds to complicated inquiries, provides training, and provides direction to lower-level staff- May provide supervision for one to two other staff (i.e., leads a small work team)- May lead projects for which well-defined practices and procedures may not exist- Provides guidance to students
Appointment Type:Regular with Term Appointment (Fixed Term)
Proposed End Date or Length of Term:January 2, 2026
Number of Months Employed Per Year:12 Month Work Period
Time Type:Full time
Pay Grade:PS807
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 Vitae 2) Letter of Application/Cover Letter If 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 – Iowa State offers WorkFlex options for some positions. WorkFlex offers flexibility on when, where, and how you do your work. For more information, please speak with the Hiring Manager.
Original Posting Date: September 30, 2024
Posting Close Date:
Job Requisition Number:R15593
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.
Iowa State University is a welcoming, global, and culturally diverse community of students, faculty, and staff. Campus community members have a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and are committed to engaging with each other respectfully as outlined in the university’s Principles of Community (https://www.iastate.edu/diversity-and-inclusion/principles-community) . Iowa State recognizes that diverse intellectual and philosophical perspectives are vital to innovation, critical thinking skills, and a dynamic academic community that fosters the land-grant ideals of putting science, technology, and human creativity to work.
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.
