Staff Research Associate

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA

AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Intermountain Research and Extension Center

UC DAVIS PAYROLL TITLE: Staff Research Associate II – Non Exempt

SALARY RANGE: $40,248.00 - $64,752.00/YEAR 100% FIXED CAREER

SALARY COMMENSURATE WITH EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

JOB SUMMARY

Located next to the town of Tulelake in far Northern California, just 4 miles south of the Oregon state line, the Intermountain Research and Extension Center (IREC) supports University of California research in field and vegetable crops and resource conservation. The Center provides land, labor, and facilities in support of research and educational activities in agriculture and natural resources for this intermountain region. Located on 140 acres of land, IREC conducts 20-40 research projects throughout the year on an extensive variety of crops reflecting the research performed by 20-30 UC Davis and County Cooperative Extension PIs and co-PIs from multiple scientific disciplines.

Under general supervision of the Center Director and Principal Superintendent of Agriculture (PSA), assist researchers in the design, implementation and evaluation of agricultural crop research projects. Perform, and guide other personnel in conducting cultural operations and data management for assigned research projects in field and vegetable crops. Operate, calibrate, and maintain laboratory and farming equipment. Communicate research project timelines, status, and needs to the multiple principal investigators working at the Center. Independently organize and carry out pesticide applications for multiple research projects and rotation crops at the Center. Assist with educational extension and public service activities.

POSITION FUNCTIONS

60% RESEARCH OPERATIONS
-Communicate with Superintendent and PIs about research projects' requirements and protocols.
-Design and establish treatment implementation, data collection, and maintenance operations of assigned research trials associated with multiple scientific disciplines including weed science, plant pathology, entomology, agronomy, soil science, and variety development.
-Communicate and consult with PI about research project timelines, statuses, and intended outcomes.
-Evaluate operational procedures and methods.
-Initiate evaluative review of crop health, plant progress, soil and chemical or treatment material conditions against intended research results.
-Advise PI and Superintendent of observations.
-Recommend procedural changes.
-Implement changes on own initiative in emergency situations or in tight time constraints.
-Identify and resolve technical issues by analyzing aspects of actions, consequences, and their interactions and how these factors affect the resultant field trials data.
-Confer with the Principal Investigator.
-Collect, monitor, and catalogue data and samples for assigned research trials.
-Operate, calibrate, and maintain specialized research equipment including crop grading equipment, mint distillery, irrigation monitoring devices, drying ovens, small plot planters, sprayers, harvesters, climate-controlled storage, and soil/plant sampling equipment.
-Train seasonal labor employees on research procedures and operation of research equipment.
-Monitor inventory and purchase research supplies for assigned research projects.
-Act as lead (assigning work tasks, tools and equipment; and evaluating completeness, accuracy, timeliness of work performed) over seasonal or casual farm labor employees and career agricultural technician or mechanic.
30% RESEARCH DATA MANAGEMENT
-Collect, monitor, and catalogue data and samples for assigned research trials.
-Coordinate collection of data and verify accuracy
-Enter, organize, and store data using multiple computer software programs.
-Analyze data using statistical methods and computer programs.
-Recommend changes.
-Summarize data and present findings to PIs.
10% OUTREACH SUPPORT, EDUCATION and TRAINING
-Assist with educational extension and public service activities.
-Conduct health and safety training related to equipment operation and chemical applications associated with assigned and highlighted research projects.
-Perform record keeping duties.
-Prepare field signage for public visits and field days.
-Prepare and present research result materials.
-Educate staff, researchers, and public on agricultural practices, research activities and results.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
- Operate hand levers and foot pedals on farm and research equipment.
- Lift up to 60 lbs. of potato and onion sacks and farm equipment.
- Stooping, bending and prolonged periods of standing.
- Traverse over uneven terrain.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

- Possess and maintain a valid California driver's license.
- A copy of DMV record will be required as a final condition of employment.
- Participate in Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Pull Notice System.
- Obtain a Pesticide Qualified Applicator Certificate within one year from date of hire, with on-site training provided.
- Subject to Medical Surveillance procedures and review in accordance with Federal and State Laws and Regulations and University Policy.
- Wear protective clothing and respirator in circumstances that require personal protection from infectious disease.
- Position may, at times, require employee to work with or be in areas where hazardous materials are present.
- Restricted vacation during peak periods.
- Work overtime and weekends occasionally on short notice.
- Occasional travel with overnight lodging.
- Work outside in inclement weather and cold temperatures.
- Work long hours during planting (March-May) and harvesting (September-November) seasons and as needed for specific projects.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

- Academic training in Biological or agricultural science or theoretical training or experience related to agricultural science and/or production agriculture.
- Experience in research crop production to perform a diverse range of research oriented practices associated with multiple scientific disciplines (i.e. weed science, entomology, plant pathology, irrigation management, and variety development).
- Skills to conduct operations in plant production agriculture, particularly planting and harvest operations.
- Skills with computers and software including internet, Microsoft office, and statistical programs.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

- Experience with experimental design, data collection, data analysis, and statistical programs.
- Experience to select, set up, adjust, calibrate, and operate a wide range of research equipment and implements including sprayers and spray rigs.
- Interpersonal skills to communicate and consult with academic investigators to insure quality, efficiency, and innovation in research activities.
- Communication skills to effectively oversee, direct, and train staff.
- Skills in pesticide application procedures.
- Skills to recognize crop pests and development stages.
- Verbal and technical writing skills to communicate details of scientific procedures, changes, results and recommendations.
- Knowledge of agronomic practices used in Klamath Basin crop production.

EXPECTATIONS

- Read and follow the UC Davis Principles of Community.
- Follow Center environmental, health and safety programs.
- Adhere to ANR-REC-AO, University, County, State and Federal laws,
regulations, policies and guidelines
- Participate in University and Center awareness and training programs, including health and safety training, injury prevention, environmental and hazardous substances programs, as required by Federal, State, and University regulations and policies
- Assure the design, establishment, treatment implementation, data collection, and maintenance of assigned research trials is performed in an effective, accurate, and efficient manner.
- Use good scientific judgment to problem solve and independently analyze and assess trial situations.
- Communicate and consult with academic investigators and their staff to assure research projects are conducted according to their desired scientific protocol.
- Exercise dependable punctuality and initiative.
- Create consistently accurate work product.
- Maintain flexibility in a continuously changing and fast- paced work environment.
- Provide training by which colleagues and co-workers produce observable quality and accurate scientific results.
- Maintain a clean, clutter-free and organized work environment.
- Adhere to all work-related UC, state, federal and GLP mandates, policies and procedures.
- Communicate in terms and methods which are understandable to staff, researchers and the public.
- Use computer applications to produce repeatable and defensible test results.
- Engender a favorable impression of the University.
- Advocate for the University and IREC.

For further information and to apply for this job, please visit the following weblink: www.employment.ucdavis.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind=61666 on requisition #03007180

(If the link does not respond, please copy and paste into your browser)