Research Farm Spec 2

Louisiana State University

10d • $35,734 - $64,314 • Onsite

About The Position

The Research Farm Specialist 2 assists with agricultural research in an experimental farm environment. The position is experienced-level and receives general supervision from professional researchers or other higher-level personnel. It has no supervisory responsibilities. The role differs from Research Farm Specialist 1 by requiring the observation, evaluation, and reporting of conditions in a research environment.

At the H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station in Rayne, Louisiana, the specialist operates and adjusts agricultural equipment to prepare and maintain research fields, assists with rice seed harvesting and cleaning, supports research personnel in preparing research areas, and contributes to plot establishment, field observations, sampling, harvesting, and data collection. The position is not eligible for remote employment. An offer is contingent on a satisfactory pre-employment background check.

Requirements

• Two years of experience in research farming or farm management; or three years of experience in farming; or twelve semester hours in an agricultural field.
• The additional job description lists two years of experience in research farming or farm management as the minimum requirement; it refers applicants to Louisiana Civil Service or the AgCenter HRM office for information about substitutions.
• Complete the official application, including all relevant work experience, education, and experience; resumes are not accepted in lieu of the application or its work experience section.
• A satisfactory pre-employment background check is required as a condition of an employment offer.

Responsibilities

• Discuss research projects with professional researchers to devise methods and provide technical farming expertise.
• Lay out research plots, label treatments for animals or plants, and collect data.
• Handle complex aspects of animal care, including deliveries with complications, unusual health problems, and experimental breeding techniques.
• Conduct basic laboratory tests on samples.
• Calculate chemical proportions and application rates and assist with complex applications of experimental chemicals and treatments.
• Calibrate and precisely adjust complex equipment.
• Collect and assemble data from research plots and experimental animals.
• Perform comparable farming tasks in other agricultural research areas, such as forestry, aquaculture, and agricultural engineering.
• Operate and adjust tractors, tillage implements, mowers, land-leveling equipment, ditchers, combines, and other agricultural equipment used to prepare and maintain research fields.
• Perform tillage, seedbed preparation, land leveling, drainage maintenance, mowing, harvesting, and other required field operations.
• Assist with harvesting and cleaning foundation rice seed, including operating and cleaning grain bins and seed-cleaning equipment.
• Work with research and farm personnel to prepare and maintain research areas.
• Observe and report field, crop, and equipment conditions that may affect research activities or results.
• Perform routine equipment inspections, adjustments, preventative maintenance, and minor repairs.
• Assist with laying out and establishing research plots through field observations, measurements, sampling, harvesting, and research data collection.
• Perform related and other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Retirement benefits.
• Multiple medical insurance options.
• Supplemental insurance options, including dental, life, long-term disability, accident, vision, and long-term care insurance.
• Tax Saver Flexible Benefits Plan for eligible childcare and medical expenses.
• 14 university holidays per year.
• Annual (vacation) and sick leave benefits.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Possible educational leave and tuition exemption for coursework at LSU System campuses.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed