Ag Tech Job - USDA Beltsville

USDA- ARS in Beltsville is looking to hire an undergraduate technician to help with their cover crop sampling and processing this winter. See job description below.  

Agricultural Science Research Technician

Summary:
This position will provide support for remote sensing of winter cover crops for the United States Department of Agricultural (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS) at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC) in collaboration with the Dr. Steven Mirsky in the Sustainable Agricultural Systems Laboratory and Dr. Dean Hively in Hydrology and Remote Sensing Laboratory. The primary purpose of this position is to assist in plant performance research by sampling and processing cover crops this Fall through Spring (2021-22). Pay is commensurate on experience. Technical training will be provided upon hire. If interested, contact Dr. Jyoti Jennewein jyoti.jennewein2@usda.gov with a resume and reference list.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist with biomass sampling, weighing, drying, and grinding of plant matter (1-2x month October-May. Sample processing will take multiple days after biomass collections)
• Perform non-destructive measurements of leaf area on biomass samples prior to drying
• Keep detailed records of sampling events including data entry, summarization, and reporting to research team

Required Job Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or GED
• Driver’s license if expected to use government vehicles
• Coursework or experience in Plant Sciences, Agronomy, or related field
• Attention to detail, ability to keep detailed records of sampled data, ability to maintain focus during repetitive laboratory procedures
• Ability to perform (up to 25 lbs.) lifting and carrying and manual labor which may require standing, kneeling, bending, stooping, and reaching
• Ability to move safely over uneven terrain
• Ability to perform periodic work in inclement weather
• Ability to handle plant materials including grasses and weeds (which may also be mixed with dust and/or soil)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Interest in or experience conducting scientific research
• Interest in or experience with agronomy, plant science, and sustainable cropping systems

Working conditions:

• Workplace is an indoor environment for processing plant materials. Face masks are required while working indoors. Office work includes long hours of working at a computer.
• Fieldwork takes place 1-2x month in agricultural fields with uneven terrain and exposure to soils and dust and may occur in extremes of temperature, humidity, and rain.

Send resume and reference list to jyoti.jennewein2@usda.gov to apply.