Irrigation Staff Research Associate 2 Non-Exempt - San Martin, CA, Job ID 73889

Irrigation Staff Research Associate 2 Non-Exempt - San Martin, CA, Job ID 73889

University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources

Job Description

Under supervision, incumbent provides assistance to UCANR academics in the delivery of educational and outreach activities related to nutrient and irrigation management. The position will also have responsibilities for educational trainings of clientele. The incumbent is expected to assist ANR staff and collaborating growers in set up of experiments, laboratory work, data collection and management, and basic data analysis for outreach and research projects. Incumbent maintains and organizes electronic archive of all projects; learns and applies standard operating procedures (SOPs) diligently; assists academic staff with the development of data sets for their research and outreach projects; and learns how to use sensors and equipment, data loggers and related equipment necessary for data collection. They will also assist academic staff with the logistics involved in organizing meetings. Incumbent will be assigned the management responsibility of irrigation and nutrient management projects, which includes ordering supplies and equipment, maintaining Safety Data Sheets (SDS), record keeping, and ensuring proper operation and maintenance of the laboratory equipment. In addition, incumbent will manage data collection by other research support staff, field staff and volunteers.

This position is a career appointment that is 100% fixed, with grant funding available through December 31, 2025 and the possibility of future funding.

Pay Scale: $28.88/hour to $36.61/hour

Job Posting Close Date:
This job is open until filled. The first application review date will be 11/22/2024.

Key Responsibilities:

75%

Work with growers to implement irrigation and nutrient management practices to improve water and nitrogen use efficiency.

Assist in the delivery of educational programs related to nutrient and irrigation management.

Assist with establishment of field, greenhouse, and laboratory trials.

Prepare equipment and supplies necessary for field work and data collection.

Collect soil, plant, water, and other types of samples, and set up equipment and data loggers for automating data collection.

Coordinate with office and farm staff the logistics necessary for data collection.

Learn new procedures for sampling, processing samples and operating electronic equipment related to data collection.

Install and maintain equipment in laboratory and fields.

Coordinate activities with other lab and field research assistants

20%

Compile and manage data using Excel or appropriate software.

Conduct basic data analysis necessary to quantify data integrity.

Provide oral and written reports on a regular basis on data collection and results.

Keep academic staff and other project collaborators informed of data collection status, pertinent results and issues affecting research projects.

Assist in development of reports as required by funding agencies and outreach purposes

5%

Management responsibility of outreach projects with growers

Order supplies and equipment

Maintain Safety Data Sheets and ensure proper operation and maintenance of the field and laboratory equipment.

Maintain accurate and timely records.

Requirements:

• Excellent organizational skills to collect data and manage multiple tasks to ensure successful completion and maintain integrity of data.
• Ability to pay attention to details and produce accurate results.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills to understand research project requirements, articulate assignments to research support staff, communicate with cooperators, staff, volunteers, and visitors, and disseminate information.
• Ability to analyze, evaluate and synthesize information of both applied and theoretical nature in field, laboratory, and office environments.
• Excellent computer skills for using Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Knowledge and experience in Excel spreadsheet formulas and grafting for data analysis.
• General knowledge of biological and natural sciences, including soils, entomology, and plant physiology and pathology. Working knowledge of basic agricultural research methods.
• Working knowledge of irrigation and nutrient management systems Demonstrated experience in conducting field and lab experiments. Knowledge of data collection and data management. Lab experience in soil and plant analysis.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in irrigation, plant sciences, soil science or the equivalent education and experience.
• Bilingual skills in English and Spanish: The ability to read, write, translate, and effectively communicate technical agricultural information in a language that is relevant to growers and farmworkers in the region.
• Experience and understanding of basic field and laboratory safety, including handling pesticides, hazardous waste disposal, and storage of corrosives and flammables.
• Experience in processing and analyzing data in SigmaPlot, SAS or other statistical software.
• Previous experience in a lead role.

Special Conditions of Employment:

• Overtime and ability to work a flexible work schedule including early mornings, evenings, and weekends and holidays as needed to meet project needs.
• Travel, including travel outside of normal business hours may be requested.
• Must possess valid California Driver's License to drive a County or University vehicle. Ability and means to travel on a flexible schedule as needed, proof of liability damage insurance on vehicle used is required. Reimbursement of job-related travel will be reimbursed according to University policies.
• The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check. This is a designated position requiring a background check and may require fingerprinting due to the nature of the job responsibilities. UC ANR does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities.
• As of January 1, 2014, ANR is a smoke- and tobacco-free environment in which smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco products, and the use of unregulated nicotine products (e-cigarettes), is strictly prohibited.

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