KAUAI)

University of Hawaii•Kapaa, HI

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Research Support Staff position supports agricultural research operations for the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience (CTAHR) at CARES Wailua in Kauai County, Kapaa, Hawaii. The role coordinates technical logistics for field and laboratory trials assessing crop performance, soil responses, and pest management systems. It oversees scientific data collection, sample handling, greenhouse and field operations, equipment, facility maintenance, supply procurement, operational recordkeeping, and compliance with applicable safety and environmental standards. The position is full-time, 11-month, and temporary. It is subject to funding availability, and renewal depends on satisfactory performance, staffing requirements, and/or funding availability.

Requirements

Baccalaureate degree in Agriculture, Agronomy, Horticulture, Soil Science, Biological Sciences, or a related field, and zero years of progressively responsible professional experience; or an equivalent combination of education and/or professional work experience that provides the required qualifications.
Functional knowledge of research, data collection, reporting, and/or other research-support principles, practices, and techniques, including the ability to apply relevant concepts and terminology.
Functional knowledge and understanding of principles, theories, federal and state laws, rules, regulations, and systems associated with research, data collection, reporting, and/or other research support.
Ability to recognize problems, identify possible causes, and resolve commonly occurring problems in research, data collection, reporting, and/or other research support.
Ability to understand oral and written documentation, write reports and procedures, and communicate effectively in a variety of situations.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external organizations, groups, team members, and individuals.
Ability to operate a personal computer and use word-processing software and agricultural research, environmental management, and/or program management software.
Active listening skills; ability to work independently across multiple locations and adapt to changing research and operational needs.
Ability to travel independently to various locations in a timely manner. Requirements may be met by a valid Hawaii Class 3 driver's license, a comparable driver's license, or another means of transportation that meets position needs.
Ability to work outside normal business hours, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and/or holidays, as needed.
Ability to lift, carry, or otherwise move supplies and equipment weighing up to 40 pounds, with or without assistance or appropriate methods such as carts, dollies, or team lifts.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting agricultural research operations, field trial logistics, greenhouse operations, or biological research data collection, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Working knowledge of technical methods in agronomy, horticulture, and/or soil science, including controlled-environment facility operations, standard pest and/or disease identification, and/or scientific data logging and recordkeeping.
Ability to coordinate technical field research tasks and maintain accurate data logs.
Ability to operate and program automated environmental or irrigation systems.
Ability to enforce safety protocols for chemical application and facility operation.

Responsibilities

Coordinate technical logistics for setting up and maintaining field and laboratory trials evaluating crop performance, soil responses, and pest management systems.
Oversee scientific data logging systems and collect environmental parameters, soil metrics, water quality data, and plant growth measurements using scientific field instruments.
Coordinate the collection, cataloging, and preparation of soil, plant tissue, water, insect, and microorganism samples for laboratory analysis.
Conduct technical field evaluations to monitor pest and disease incidence and report crop physiological conditions to research project leads.
Record experimental trial parameters, field-mapping coordinates, and observation data in specialized research databases and web-based decision tools.
Oversee daily technical operations and environmental schedules for research greenhouses, shade houses, hydroponic units, and field plots at multiple locations, including monitoring outside normal business hours when needed.
Program, troubleshoot, and calibrate automated irrigation networks, environmental control computers, and specialized research facility equipment.
Coordinate research plot layouts, treatment application timing, and technical equipment setup for research trials.
Inspect research facilities, automated environmental controls, and field instrumentation; perform specialized technical maintenance and schedule major facility repairs.
Maintain operational logs, chemical and pesticide application tracking, inventory records, and facility usage schedules.
Manage procurement logistics for specialized research supplies, fertilizers, field tools, and safety gear.
Monitor field and facility compliance with state, federal, and University environmental health, safety, and worker protection standards.
Assist research personnel with compiling trial summary tables, preparing field demonstration plot layouts, and drafting technical documentation.
Transport research equipment and materials.
Perform other duties as assigned.