Student Research Assistant – Dry-Farmed Vegetable Production

Job Title Student Research Assistant – Dry-Farmed Vegetable Production Appointment Type Student Employee Job Location Corvallis Position Appointment Percent 100 Appointment Basis 12 Pay Method Hourly Pay Period 16th – 15th of the following month Pay Date Last working day of the month Remote or Hybrid option? Min Hourly Rate $14.20 (Standard); $13.20 (Non-Urban); $15.45 (Portland Metro) Max Hourly Rate $21.00 (Standard); $18.50 (Non-Urban); $21.50 (Portland Metro) Position Summary

This recruitment will be used to fill two part-time (a maximum of 24 hours per week during academic terms and a maximum of 40 hours per week during academic breaks) student research assistant positions for the OSU Dry Farming Project.

The hired students will primarily assist in dry-farmed tomato field experiments at the OSU Vegetable Research Farm, Lewis-Brown Farm, and several other on-farm research sites. Additional research projects will include dry-farmed corn and melon production. These positions are intended to provide the candidates with work and research experience. Students with farm and garden experience and an interest in horticulture or agriculture are encouraged to apply.

Position Duties

The Student Research Assistants will be expected to:

• Start work on May 1st and work until October 31st
• Be available to work all summer long
• Install field experiments, including plot layout, planting, moisture sensor installation, and the application of treatments (e.g. fertilization, mulching, compost application, staking)
• Maintain field experiments, including weeding and pruning, and operating a walk-behind tractor
• Post information on project activities to social media
• Staff public field day events
• Collect harvest data, including weekly tomato yield data (counts and weights of marketable and unmarketable fruit)
• Harvest up to 1000 lbs of tomatoes a day
• Perform post-harvest processing
• Lead sensory evaluations of melons and tomatoes
• Lead storage trials for melons
• Work full days in the field under varied field conditions, including extreme heat and rain.
• Lift and carry 35 pound bins all day
• Assist with other projects if necessary

Minimum Qualifications

Full Employment Eligibility Requirements can be found here: http://fa.oregonstate.edu/stu-manual/500-employment-eligibility-requirements

• Must be academically enrolled in a high school, community college, or university and pursuing a program or course of study
• Must meet Academic Standing Requirements; students on academic suspension are not eligible for employment
• Must meet the applicable minimal enrollment standard
• High School student: Regularly enrolled in a high school or participating in a home-schooling program
• Undergraduate and post-baccalaureate student: 6 credit hours per term
• Undergraduate international student: 12 credit hours per term*
• Graduate student officially admitted to Graduate School: 5 credit hours per term
• Graduate international student officially admitted to Graduate School: 9 credit hours per term*
• International students may be allowed to carry fewer hours than specified above and still be considered “full-time” by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). A reduced course load is approved by the Office of International Services (OIS), and must be provided to the Student Employment Center.

Additional Required Qualifications

The ideal candidates for this position are:

• Reliable – shows up to work on time every day
• Detail-oriented
• An efficient worker
• Interested in horticulture
• Self-motivated
• Capable of performing physically strenuous labor in inclement weather
• A good verbal and written communicator
• Flexible – can take on new assignments or challenges as they arise
• Have a driver’s license and a safe driving record

This position is designated as a critical or security-sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a criminal history check and be determined to be position qualified as per OSU Standard 576-055-0000 et seq. Incumbents are required to self-report convictions and those in youth programs may have additional criminal history checks every 24 months.

This position requires driving a University vehicle or a personal vehicle on behalf of the University; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a Motor Vehicle History Check, possess and maintain a current, valid driver’s license in their state of residence, be determined to be position qualified and self-report convictions (as per Voluntary and Compulsory Driver Standards OSU Standard 125-155-0200) as per OSU Standard 576-056-0000 et seq.

Preferred (Special) Qualifications

Experience working on farms and/or in research-based field work

Working Conditions / Work Schedule

Working Conditions / Work schedule

The work schedule will be adjusted to accommodate the student’s course work. Student research assistants can anticipate no more than 20 hours/week during the school year and no more than 40 hours/week during academic breaks. Week long vacations are not possible during the peak of harvest season (August and September). 1-2 day increments of time off may be arranged in advance.

Posting Number P10883SE Number of Vacancies 2 Anticipated Appointment Begin Date 05/01/2024 Anticipated Appointment End Date 10/31/2024 Posting Date 03/27/2024 Full Consideration Date 04/22/2024 Closing Date 04/19/2024 Indicate how you intend to recruit for this search Competitive / Student – open to ALL qualified/eligible students Special Instructions to Applicants

When applying you will be required to attach the following electronic documents:

1. A Resume/Vita

2. A cover letter indicating how your qualifications and experience have prepared you for this position

For additional information please contact: Matthew Davis at [email protected]

OSU commits to inclusive excellence by advancing equity and diversity in all that we do. We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, and particularly encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ community members, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community.

This position is designated as a critical or security-sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a criminal history check and be determined to be position qualified as per OSU Standard 576-055-0000 et seq. Incumbents are required to self-report convictions and those in youth programs may have additional criminal history checks every 24 months.

This position requires driving a University vehicle or a personal vehicle on behalf of the University; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a Motor Vehicle History Check, possess and maintain a current, valid driver’s license in their state of residence, be determined to be position qualified and self-report convictions (as per Voluntary and Compulsory Driver Standards OSU Standard 125-155-0200) as per OSU Standard 576-056-0000 et seq.

Note: All job offers are contingent upon Human Resources final approval.

OSU will conduct a review of the National Sex Offender Public website prior to hire.

Read Full Description