Program Associate - 12 MONTH

University of Arkansas System • Stuttgart, AR

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is a state-wide campus, comprising the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station (AES) and the Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service (CES), with over 1400 employees. Established in 1959, the Division is headquartered in Little Rock and led by the Vice-President for Agriculture. It offers a vibrant work environment and a culture promoting work-life balance. This Program Associate position is a 12-month role within the long-grain and aromatic rice breeding program, involving both field and laboratory activities. The successful candidate will be responsible for various aspects of the program, from designing field plans and data collection to crop maintenance, harvesting, and seed processing. The role also includes operating and maintaining specialized field equipment, assisting in variety development, maintaining line purity, and contributing to seed production for new cultivars. Occasional travel to other research stations and the winter nursery in Puerto Rico is required, as is contributing to scientific manuscripts and presentations at professional events.

Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture related field (agronomy, ag-business and farm management, soil science, crop production, crop science, weed science or other related agriculture field) plus 3 years of professional work experience in rice research, rice breeding or rice production OR an M.S. in a related field
• Experience in operating GPS guided tractor, cell and plot planters, research plot combines, tractor mounted sprayer, rice threshers and other field equipment
• Knowledge of how to troubleshoot field equipment, calibrate sprayers, planters and fertilizer spreaders
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and data management
• A high level of technical competence
• Ability to develop and deliver presentations
• Ability to exercise initiative, make sound judgements, and work independently
• Ability to relate and respond to the needs of supervisors, subordinates and clientele

Nice To Haves

• A Bachelor's degree in a related field plus 7 years of professional work experience
• A Master's degree specializing in Plant Breeding plus 3 or more years of professional work experience in rice research, rice breeding or rice production

Responsibilities

• Design field plans
• Collect data (both in laboratory and in field)
• Maintain field and laboratory equipment
• Prepare seeds
• Plant crops
• Maintain crops throughout the growing season (levee maintenance, spraying pesticides, irrigation, fertilizer application)
• Harvest crops
• Clean seeds
• Summarize data of experiments of in station and off station trials
• Operate GPS guided tractor, cell and plot planters, research plot combines, tractor mounted sprayers, threshers and other field equipment
• Perform routine maintenance and minor repairs of field equipment
• Perform physical work such as lifting a minimum weight of 50 pounds
• Assist in variety development program, selecting lines, helping maintain the purity required for all lines in the program and for seed production of new cultivars
• Occasionally travel to other stations and the winter nursery in Puerto Rico to assist in evaluation and harvesting
• Contribute to manuscript preparation, and presentations in meetings, field days and professional conferences

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 1-10 employees