Program Associate

University of Arkansas System•Harrisburg, PA

About The Position

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. Summary of Job Duties: The job duties for the Program Associate include: Field & Research Activities (30%) • Assist with the design, establishment, and management of station-based and on-farm research trials. • Collect and process soil and plant data following established protocols. • Assist with planting, fertilizing, spraying, irrigating, harvesting, and general field operations. • Support installation and maintenance of monitoring equipment (e.g., sensors, UAV platforms, data loggers). • Ensure quality control and accurate implementation of project protocols. • Coordinate directly with producers and collaborators during on-farm research activities. Data Management & Analysis (20%) • Organize, clean, and manage agronomic datasets. • Conduct data entry and preliminary analysis. • Assist with data visualization and summarization for reports and presentations. Extension & Educational Support (30%) • Assist in developing Extension materials (e.g., handouts, fact sheets, reports, videos, presentations, and online content). • Support preparation of annual reports, grant reports, and stakeholder updates. • Assist with organization and coordination of field days, workshops, and hands-on trainings. • Contribute to translating research findings into producer-focused educational materials. Program Coordination & Administration (20%) • Assist with procurement, supply tracking, and basic administrative documentation. • Help coordinate timelines, logistics, and communication across projects. • Supervise and train student workers and temporary staff as needed. • Maintain organized project records and documentation.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Agronomy, Soil Science, Crop Science, or related field plus three (3) years of relevant experience OR a related Master’s degree.
Experience conducting field-based agronomic research.
Experience collecting and processing soil and plant samples.
Strong written and verbal communication skills with proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel.
Ability to work outdoors in varying environmental conditions and willingness to travel statewide as needed.
Ability or willingness to obtain Arkansas Pesticide Applicator License and FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot License.
Valid driver’s license.
Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
Willingness to learn new technologies and tools.
Strong organizational and time-management skills.
High attention to detail and commitment to data accuracy.
Ability to work independently while maintaining strong communication with supervisor and team members.
Professionalism, accountability, and integrity.
Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Nice To Haves

Experience working directly with agricultural producers.
Experience with data management and analysis (Excel required; R or Python preferred).
Familiarity with precision agriculture tools (UAVs, proximal sensors, etc.) and handling geospatial data.
Experience preparing Extension materials, reports, or educational content.

Responsibilities

Assist with the design, establishment, and management of station-based and on-farm research trials.
Collect and process soil and plant data following established protocols.
Assist with planting, fertilizing, spraying, irrigating, harvesting, and general field operations.
Support installation and maintenance of monitoring equipment (e.g., sensors, UAV platforms, data loggers).
Ensure quality control and accurate implementation of project protocols.
Coordinate directly with producers and collaborators during on-farm research activities.
Organize, clean, and manage agronomic datasets.
Conduct data entry and preliminary analysis.
Assist with data visualization and summarization for reports and presentations.
Assist in developing Extension materials (e.g., handouts, fact sheets, reports, videos, presentations, and online content).
Support preparation of annual reports, grant reports, and stakeholder updates.
Assist with organization and coordination of field days, workshops, and hands-on trainings.
Contribute to translating research findings into producer-focused educational materials.
Assist with procurement, supply tracking, and basic administrative documentation.
Help coordinate timelines, logistics, and communication across projects.
Supervise and train student workers and temporary staff as needed.
Maintain organized project records and documentation.