Soil Health LTARE Coordinator

Available Title(s):

1161-YN_ADMINPRO - Scientific Assistant

Business Title:

Soil Health LTARE Coordinator

Employee Type:

Admin. Professional (+) (Fixed Term)

Time Type:

Full time

Position Term:

12 Month

Position Details:

Summary of Duties:

The incumbent will coordinate a multidisciplinary group of research, Extension, and stakeholders to implement a new Long-term Washington Soil Health Tree Fruit Agricultural Research and Extension project (LTARE), which has the goal to evaluate management systems which optimize tree fruit yield and quality through sustainable soil health management practices. This position will support the research and extension activities in soil health for (apple, cherry and pear) in tree crops in Washington. The person will perform professional-level work in support of scientific research; using advanced skills and knowledge to perform the following tasks: define research protocols; establish research plots; conduct field and laboratory research; run established research protocols, evaluate research data, ensure quality control. The incumbent will collect, input, and process field assessments, and conduct laboratory analyses. They will work with farm staff to establish research plot plantings and apply varying organic matter, irrigation and fertility treatments. The incumbent will provide key project management including coordination of project team; facilitation of advisory group; development of research timelines, project plans and protocols; and data management.

Additional opportunities include the development of internship and fellowship programs and structures to facilitate national research partnerships. This person will also develop research programming in environmental, carbon, water, and nutrient physiological and soil borne pathogen management questions that are complimentary to research within this long-term project. This will include opportunities for grant writing, mentoring, and publications through collaboration within the lab.

Laboratory and Field Research (40%)

• Design and develop research methodologies.

• Modify and adapt research procedures to meet trial requirements.

• Install Tree Fruit Long Term Research Trial treatments including mulch, compost, anaerobic soil disinfestation, brassica seed meal.

• Conduct sampling and analysis.

• Collect data in the field including yield, tree cross sectional area, soil moisture, carbon application rates, cover crop biomass, and fruit quality.

• Ensure quality control.

• Evaluate research data.

• Conduct technical laboratory analysis.

• Set up, operate and maintain necessary equipment and instrumentation.

• Work with research scientists, technologists, and graduate students for the successful completion of experiments in a teamwork environment.

Project Management (40%)

• Coordinate project team and stakeholder advisory group.

• Organize planning meetings with stakeholders including consultants, growers and researchers involved in the project.

• Develop research timelines, project plans and protocols to ensure timely and accurate experiment establishment and data collection.

• Create structure for and solicit participation for multidisciplinary research collaboration with national and international researchers.

• Develop fellowship and internship programs for graduate and undergraduate student participation in LTAR project.

• Prepare spreadsheet for field data collection, ready all field material in advance for daily activity in the orchard.

• Reliably record notes and records.

• Completion of purchasing, grant paperwork and reporting.

• Locate and purchase supplies.

Research Plot Horticulture (20%)

• Apply varying irrigation and fertilization treatments to plots in accordance with research trial specific requirements and respond to seasonally varying conditions.

• Apply varying organic matter amendment treatments including compost, mow-n-blow and mulch.

• Execute planting and horticulture of research trial orchard outside of yearly maintenance (eg. initial tree establishment and training and thinning).

• Communicate with a number of scientists in order to appropriately adapt tree maintenance to specific research needs.

• Communicate with the Orchard Manager and farm crew to ensure execution of horticultural, pest and disease requirements and irrigation of the LTARE plots.

Required Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate related scientific or engineering discipline and three (3) years of progressively responsible related professional research experience. Any combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis. A Master’s degree in an appropriate related scientific or engineering discipline may be substituted for up to one year of the required work experience.

• Strong interest in applied research and outreach. 

• Strong analytical skills. 

• Ability to work independently as well as with an interdisciplinary team of researchers, extension specialists, and other project participants. 

• Excellent organizational skills. Excellent written and oral communication skills. 

• Have or be able to obtain a valid driver’s license before or at the time of hire.

• Evidence of high-quality publications and presentations, experience working with growers and agricultural industry, and familiarity with tree fruit production, pest management and ecology preferred.

Additional Information:

Area/College:

Extension ANR (Agriculture and Natural Resources)

Department Name:

Wenatchee Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center

City, State, Zip:

Wenatchee, WA, 98801

Department Link: https://treefruit.wsu.edu/tianna-dupont/

Monthly Salary:

$3,900.88 - $5,613.47

In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate’s current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position. Successful candidates typically begin up to mid-point of the salary range. For additional information, please review WSU’s Administrative Professional Compensation .  WSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid sick and vacation leave; paid holidays; medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; deferred compensation and optional supplemental retirement accounts. For additional information, please review the detailed Summary of Benefits offered by WSU for AP staff and Total Compensation . 

WSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid sick and vacation leave; paid holidays; medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; deferred compensation and optional supplemental retirement accounts. For a more detailed summary of benefits offered by WSU for Faculty please review the summary of benefits for WSU Faculty and Total Compensation .

Overtime Eligibility:

Eligible for overtime

FTE:

100%

This is a Temporary position:

This is a temporary expected to end on June 30, 2025. Renewal is dependent on the need for extension and/or if additional funding is secured to extend employment.

Posting Close Date:

Applicants must submit their completed application by June 16, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.

Background Check:

This position has been designated by the department to require a background check because it requires access to children or vulnerable adults as defined by RCW 74.34 , engages in law enforcement, requires security clearance, interacts with WSU students in a counseling or advising capacity, has access to personal identifying and/or financial information, unsupervised access to university buildings/property, or other business-related need.  A background check will not be completed until an initial determination of qualification for employment has been made. 

Application Instructions:

Application materials should clearly communicate how the applicant meets all required qualifications. Documents may be submitted in one file or separate files. Applicants are encouraged to upload as a PDF if possible. Applicants will be requested to provide contact information for professional references within the online application. 

• External candidates, please upload all documents in the “Resume/CV” section of your application. 

• Internal candidates, please upload all documents in the “Resume/Cover Letter” section of your application. 

  

Required Documents: 

Applicants must upload the following documents to their online applications.

1) Resume/CV 

2) Cover Letter 

WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EDUCATOR AND EMPLOYER. Members of ethnic minorities, women, special disabled veterans, veterans of the Vietnam-era, recently separated veterans, and other protected veteran, persons of disability and/or persons age 40 and over are encouraged to apply.

WSU employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

WSU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resource Services: 509-335-4521 (v), Washington State TDD Relay Service: Voice Callers: 1-800-833-6384; TDD Callers: 1-800-833-6388, 509-335-1259(f), or [email protected] .