Available Title(s):
570F-YN_CS_NPS - Agricultural Research Technologist 2

Business Title:
Agricultural Research Technologist 2

Employee Type:
Classified

Time Type:
Full time

Position Term:
12 Month

Position Details:

Summary of Duties:

Assist with the design, set-up, maintenance, and completion of a diversity of lab, greenhouse, and field research/extension trials for the Berry and Potato Pathology (BPP) program at the WSU Mount Vernon NWREC, both on-station and off-station. Essential responsibilities include: identifying and defining research problems; conduct independent research; collect, analyze, and interpret research data; develop and troubleshoot protocols; assist in preparing journal publications and progress reports; conduct general laboratory maintenance and routine care of scientific instrumentation; order lab supplies and maintain inventory records.

Duties:

Laboratory Duties (45%)

Effectively carry out molecular plant pathology techniques including preparation of isolates, DNA extraction, PCR assays, preparation of amplified DNA for sequencing, and processing of DNA sequences for genus and species identification. Assist with isolations of plant pathogens from plant samples using appropriate methods. Perform routine laboratory support duties, including: prepare agar media and other reagents or buffers for a diversity of plant pathogens and research projects; help with maintenance of fungal, bacterial, and viral isolates in storage, and preparation of cultures using appropriate sterile lab techniques; assist with ordering lab and other program supplies as needed (complete WSU training for approval to use a WSU purchasing card); monitoring performance and operation of lab equipment such as autoclaves, lab dishwasher and drier, pH meters, centrifuges, laminar flow hood, biological safety equipment, incubators, germinators, growth chambers, and other laboratory equipment; clean and maintain laboratory equipment. Maintain and ensure compliance with regulatory and safety protocols and records. Oversee quality control, make suggestions for improvement in techniques and interpretation.

Research Duties (40%)

Participate in the development and design of research projects, protocols, experiments, techniques, and procedures. Analyze and evaluate current methodologies and modify or adapt to fit research project goals. Independently conduct research by applying established and modified methods. Enter data into spreadsheets for statistical analyses; proofread, sort, and summarize data, accurately and efficiently. Maintain records of experiments; compiling data into graphic, tabular or other formatting and performing statistical analysis and analytical modeling; preparing data for publication; coordinating with other research and support personnel. Assist with set-up, maintenance, and data collection of greenhouse and field experiments; perform inoculations and isolations for a diversity of crops and plant pathogens; clean and maintain greenhouse space and equipment; apply pesticides (e.g., fungicides, herbicides, and insecticides) using appropriate personal protective equipment and procedures; operate and calibrate greenhouse equipment. Willing to work outdoors under a range of weather conditions, conventional and organic agricultural production systems, and with a diversity of plants, crops, and plant pathogens. Willing to travel to field trial sites across WA, and occasionally in the greater Pacific Northwest (ID and OR), with potential overnight stays.

Supervision and Training (10%)

Train, advise and lead, students, interns, part time employees, and other technical personnel with regards to all general laboratory protocols as well as equipment operation, calibration, use-scheduling, and maintenance.

Other Duties (5%)

Other duties as assigned. May include but are not limited to: serving on appropriate committees at the WSU Mount Vernon NWREC; other general service activities expected of employees at the NWREC; assist with scientific literature searches for developing plant pathology research projects; maintain productive, positive working relations with employees, other research and extension programs, the agricultural community and other stakeholders, and the public.

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor's Degree in the applied, biological, chemical, physical OR agricultural sciences, AND one (1) year of experience as an Agricultural Research Technologist 1; OR equivalent education/experience.

• Required Bachelor's degree must be a Bachelor of Science degree in plant pathology, agricultural, biological, or experimental sciences, or related field.
• Strong molecular biology skills
• Ability and willingness to travel.
• Ability and willingness to work beyond the traditional hours, including evenings and or weekends when circumstances necessitate non-traditional hours, e.g., watering plants in the greenhouse on weekends or holiday, driving to field trial sites in central Washington, completing time-sensitive tasks such as harvesting plots in a field trial before the grower-cooperator harvests the rest of the field or before rains start, etc.
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in plant pathology, agricultural, biological, or experimental sciences, or related field.
• At least two years of experience with field, laboratory, and greenhouse research in plant pathology.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain a Washington State Department of Agriculture pesticide applicators' license within 2 months of hire.

Additional Information:

Area/College:

CAHNRS

Department Name:

WSU Mount Vernon NWREC

City, State, Zip:

Mount Vernon, WA, 98273

Department Links:

https://mtvernon.wsu.edu/

https://mtvernon.wsu.edu/berry-potato-pathology/

Monthly Salary: $3,246.00 - $4,324.00 (Step A - M) Commensurate with Experience and Qualifications

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.

WSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes: paid sick and vacation leave; paid holidays; medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; deferred compensation and optional supplemental retirement accounts.

For a more detailed summary of benefits offered by WSU for classified staff visit: https://hrs.wsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/2022-Benefit-Overview-for-Civil-Service.pdf. Find total compensation here: https://hrs.wsu.edu/managers/recruitment-toolkit/total-compensation/.

FTE: 100%

Position Type: Temporary. Future opportunity to expand into permanent.

Temporary End Date: This is a temporary position expected to end on Friday, May 31, 2024. Renewal is dependent on the need for extension and/or if additional funding is secured to extend employment.

Screening Begin Date: The screening of applicants will begin on Friday , May 19, 2023.

Background Check:

This position has been designated by the department to require a background check because it requires access to children or vulnerable adults as defined by RCW 74.34, engages in law enforcement, requires security clearance, interacts with WSU students in a counseling or advising capacity, has access to personal identifying and/or financial information, unsupervised access to university buildings/property, or other business-related need. A background check will not be completed until an initial determination of qualification for employment has been made.

Application Instructions:

Applicants must upload the following documents to their online application.

External candidates, please upload all documents in the "Resume/CV" section of your application.

Internal candidates, please upload all documents in the "Resume/Cover Letter" section of your application.

Required Documents:

1) Resume

2) Cover Letter

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.

To apply, visit https://wsu.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/WSU_Jobs/job/Mt-Vernon-WA/Agricultural-Research-Technologist-2_R-9454

Washington State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Educator and Employer.

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