Smart Farm Engineering Technician

Washington State University • Prosser, WA

169d • $4,386 - $5,483

About The Position

Center for Precision and Automated Agricultural Systems (CPAAS) is designed to offer a framework for precision/smart agriculture and automation efforts at Washington State University (WSU). As the Smart Farm Engineering Technician you will be responsible for establishing and maintaining digital infrastructures for an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enabled DEMO Smart Farm as well as creating a community learning hub at WSU Prosser, WA (WSU AgAID) to support CPAAS and the agriculture community. Under general direction, this position is responsible to equip the DEMO Farm with field sensors, imaging devices, drones, and field robots - all of which will be connected to a secure server (control center) using a “ready-to-connect” interface for data collection, processing, and visualization. You will collaborate with the CPAAS team to support the research, educational, and community collaboration and extension efforts of the WSU AgAID institute through education and “hands-on” learning. In addition to Smart Farm setup and maintenance, this position will support hands-on learning experiences for graduate and undergraduate student interns at the farm with both AI and agricultural technologies and facilitate field trips. The position reports to the CPAAS Director. This is three-year appointment pending annual performance review. Additional Information: This is a full time(100% FTE), project position. This position is overtime eligible. Temporary End Date: This is a temporary position. Renewal is dependent on the need for extension and/or if additional funding is secured to extend employment.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree in instructional design, instructional technology, education, computer science or related field.
• Three (3) years of professional experience in instructional design and/or instructional technology.
• Experience working in an agricultural environment.
• Proficiency with computer software and technical hardware utilization.
• Data analysis experience.
• Must have, or be able to obtain by time of hire, a valid driver's license.
• Flexible work hours to accommodate field research.
• Ability to work in extreme outdoor temperatures in a variety of weather conditions.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor's or Master's Degree in relevant engineering or technology fields.
• Knowledge and/or experience in mechatronics, control systems integration and development.
• Prior experience with extension education and outreach efforts.
• Prior experience supporting research operations in the orchard/field environment.
• Prior experience with data integration, analysis and visualization technologies.
• Bi-lingual (English/Spanish).
• Prior experience in one or more programming languages (e.g. Python, C).
• Experience with GIS/Remote Sensing packages (e.g. ArcGIS, Pix4D, ENVI) and/or statistical packages (e.g. R, Stata).
• Education and/or experience in AI related technologies in ag or non-ag settings.
• Education and/or experience in data management, interpretation, and analysis.

Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain digital infrastructures for an AI-enabled DEMO Smart Farm.
• Create a community learning hub at WSU Prosser, WA (WSU AgAID).
• Equip the DEMO Farm with field sensors, imaging devices, drones, and field robots.
• Connect devices to a secure server for data collection, processing, and visualization.
• Collaborate with the CPAAS team to support research, educational, and community collaboration efforts.
• Support hands-on learning experiences for graduate and undergraduate student interns.
• Facilitate field trips.

Benefits

• Paid sick and vacation leave.
• Paid holidays.
• Medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents.
• Retirement.
• Deferred compensation.
• Optional supplemental retirement accounts.
• Training and development.
• Employee tuition waiver.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Industry: Educational Services
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree