Program Technician I

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Type of Position:
Research

Workstudy Position:

No

Job Type:
Regular

Work Shift:

Sponsorship Available:

No

Institution Name:
Division of Agriculture of the University of Arkansas

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is a state wide campus, with faculty based on University campuses, at Research and Extension Centers and in every Arkansas county. It consists of the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station (AES) and the Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service (CES), and is home to more than 1400 employees.  The Division was established in 1959 and is headed by the Vice-President for Agriculture.  The Division headquarters is located in Little Rock with the rest of the University of Arkansas System Administration.  As an employer, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers a vibrant work environment and a workplace culture that promotes a healthy work-life balance. 

Below you will find the details for the position including any supplementary documentation and questions you should review before applying for the opening.  To apply for the position, please click the Apply link/button.

If you have a disability and need assistance with the hiring process and require reasonable accommodations, please contact the Division’s Office of Inclusion, Access, and Compliance at [email protected].

For general application assistance or if you have questions about a job posting, please contact Human Resources at 501-671-2219 or 479-502-9820.

Department:
HORT nearmejobs.eu Turfgrass Research 01

Department’s Website:

horticulture.uark.edu

Summary of Job Duties:
Management of research trials: Field trials will be conducted at the University of Arkansas Milo J. Shult Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Fayetteville, Arkansas and other sites throughout Arkansas. Responsibilities will include applying pesticide treatments, seeding, fertilizing, watering, and other general maintenance activities. Greenhouse/growth chamber trials will be conducted at the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville campus with emphasis on maintaining plants through watering, pesticide and fertilizer applications, and occasional plant trimming. Lab trials will be conducted at the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville campus with emphasis on culturing turfgrass pathogens, extracting DNA, and conducting PCR.
Data collection and management: Data associated with field trials will be collected regularly throughout the year, with extended outdoor data collection during peak field season. Data collection includes taking measurements in the field, such as weather data, disease severity, turf quality, ball roll distance, clipping weights, drone imagery, and tissue or soil sampling. Responsibilities also include entering data to digital formats, taking pictures, and uploading all data and images to a shared laboratory folder for subsequent analysis in ARM or JMP software.
Equipment maintenance and assembly: Research backpack sprayers, large-scale greens/fairway sprayers, pumps, irrigation controllers, weed-eaters, mowers, and other equipment will require maintenance (e.g., cleaning, oil change, simple repairs). Greenhouse will require minor irrigation or lighting repairs on occasion. Technical instruments will require regular calibration, battery replacement, software updates, and general troubleshooting. Hand-pump, gas-operated, compressed CO2-operated backpack sprayers are used regularly to apply pesticide treatments. Boom assembly and sprayer calibration will be the responsibility of the new hire.
Purchasing and inventory: Regular inventory such as disposable gloves, spray bottles, sprayer parts, pesticides, Petri dishes, and other miscellaneous lab equipment will be maintained and restocked by this staff member. Purchasing and ordering should be done in advance and in a well-organized manner to maintain sufficient inventory of research supplies for upcoming and ongoing field trials.
Miscellaneous duties: Includes but is not limited to reviewing, writing, and editing duties for research reports, manuscripts, abstracts, posters, and other forms of written communication by the project leader or others working in the turfgrass pathology program. Assisting with supervision of undergraduate employees will be required and assistance with graduate student projects will also be required. Cooperation is expected with the research station staff, campus and Extension faculty, and stakeholders and other collaborators throughout the state of Arkansas and beyond. Preparing materials for lectures, laboratories, and various other responsibilities in assisting with teaching efforts will occur occasionally.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

B.S. in turfgrass science/turfgrass management or closely related field. Foundational understanding of equipment operation procedures for turfgrass maintenance (i.e., mowers, rollers, aerifiers, sprayers, etc.). Applicant must be well-organized, highly motivated, and team-oriented. Applicant must have a valid US driver’s license, be able to lift 50 lb., and be able to walk long distances in field conditions. Additionally, applicant must be able to work outside in turfgrass stands during sunny and hot conditions in summer as well as cold conditions in fall, winter, or spring. Applicant must be able to travel for research trials throughout Arkansas regularly, and the applicant will be required to travel for overnight trips periodically for research trials and scientific conferences. Applicant must be able to periodically present research results to stakeholders throughout the state and region as well as to industry representatives.

Preferred Qualifications:

At least one year of experience managing high quality turfgrass for a golf course, athletic field, sod farm, lawn care company, or some other turfgrass system. A certified pesticide applicator license is preferred. Leadership experience in a team setting is desirable. The ability to effectively communicate in both verbal and written form. The ability to repair irrigation and equipment failures. Strong grasp of common turfgrass pest problems and general turfgrass pest management strategies. Curious and creative personality to help formulate research ideas. Coursework or experience in plant pathology is preferred also. Experience with statistical analyses of research data is a bonus.

Additional Information:

Salary Information:

Commensurate with education and experience

Required Documents to Apply:

Cover Letter/Letter of Application, List of three Professional References (name, email, business title), Resume, Unofficial/Official Transcript(s)

Optional Documents:

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Recruitment Contact Information:

Wendell Hutchens, Assistant Professor
[email protected]

All application materials must be uploaded to the University of Arkansas System Career Site https://uasys.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/UASYS  

Please do not send to listed recruitment contact.

Pre-employment Screening Requirements:
Criminal Background Check, Motor Vehicle Reports Check

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture may conduct pre-employment background checks on certain positions for applicants being considered for employment.  The background checks may include a criminal background check and a sex offender registry check.  Required checks are identified in the position listing.  A criminal background check or arrest pending adjudication information alone shall not disqualify an applicant in the absences of a relationship to the requirements of the position.  Background check information will be used in a consistent, non-discriminatory manner consistent with the state and federal law. 

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture commits itself to policies of affirmative action and diversity with respect to both employment opportunities and program participation.  The Division complies with these policies not merely because of legal requirements, but because we believe that such practices are basic to human dignity.  As such, the Division welcomes all applicants to apply without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status.  Candidates must have proof of legal authority to work in the United States on the first day of employment.  All applicant information is subject to public disclosure under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.

Constant Physical Activity:
Climbing, Crouching, Driving, Feeling, Hearing, Lifting, Manipulate items with fingers, including keyboarding, Pushing, Sharps

Frequent Physical Activity:
Grasping, Kneeling, Pulling, Sitting, Standing

Occasional Physical Activity:
N/A

Benefits Eligible:
Yes