Precision Irrigation Manager, CSU-TAPS

Colorado State University, United States

Updated: about 15 hours ago
Location: Fort Collins, COLORADO
Deadline: 07 Apr 2024

Posting Details
Posting Detail Information


Working Title Precision Irrigation Manager, CSU-TAPS
Position Location Fort Collins, CO
Work Location Position is fully in-office/in-person
Research Professional Position Yes
Posting Number 202400399AP
Position Type Admin Professional/ Research Professional
Classification Title Research Associate III
Number of Vacancies
Work Hours/Week 40
Proposed Annual Salary Range $60,000-$75,000. Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications.
Employee Benefits
Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion , and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.
  • Review our detailed benefits information here.
  • Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here .
  • For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator .
  • Lastly, click here for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in !
Desired Start Date
Position End Date (if temporary)
To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on 04/07/2024
Description of Work Unit
Founded in 1870, Colorado State University is among the nation’s leading research universities and enrolls approximately 32,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. Located an hour north of the Denver metro area, Fort Collins is a vibrant community of approximately 157,000 residents that offers the convenience of a small town with all the amenities of a large city. Fort Collins is situated on the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains with views of 14,000 foot peaks, and offers access to numerous cultural, recreational, and outdoor opportunities.
The Department of Soil and Crop Sciences is focused on education, research, and outreach to solve the world’s most pressing food production issues and crucial matters about Earth, its ecosystems, and their services. Our faculty and staff apply research-based solutions to benefit Colorado and the world. We offer academic programs to prepare students to address national and global crop production, sustainability, and environmental quality challenges such as waste management, water quality, and reclamation of drastically disturbed lands. There are numerous opportunities for students to be involved in cutting edge research related to global food production and ecosystem function and protection.
The Irrigation Innovation Consortium (IIC), Colorado State University, advances development and adoption of water and energy efficient tools, technologies, and practices in agricultural irrigation. IIC supports research, training, and demonstration projects at CSU, other land grant universities and locations. Since its founding in 2018, IIC has supported over 45 research projects in the western U.S involving private companies and public entities as collaborative partners.
CSU-TAPS is completing its first competition in 2023 and is now planning for the 2024 growing season and subsequent years. CSU-TAPS is implemented in partnership with CSU’s Agricultural Research, Development, and Education Center (ARDEC).
The CSU Testing Ag Performance Solutions (TAPS) project was designed in collaboration with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL). CSU-TAPS is an interactive, real-life farm management competition that helps producers, researchers, tech providers, and others identify how to boost agricultural profitability, and increase input use efficiency. The program gives producers and others a hands-on, no-risk, and competitive means to use water management technologies to support in-season decisions to increase farm profitably and improve efficiency of labor, water use, and energy use.
Position Summary
The Research Associate will support the CSU-TAPS program by:
  • CSU-TAPS 2024 season field operations planning, research plot layout, design of fertigation and variable rate irrigation system operations
  • Installation, calibration, management and maintenance of field sensors including soil moisture probes, in-field weather and plant monitoring sensors; soil flux and gas analyzers; management of the program for aerial and drone data acquisition.
  • Irrigation scheduling using models, environmental and weather data
  • Acquiring, organizing, and analyzing data from the CSU-TAPS competition
  • Supporting the design and management of irrigation and water management research to be conducted in parallel with the CSU-TAPS program
  • Communicating with technology and industry representatives to assess and demonstrate precision irrigation tools and practices in the TAPS competitions.
  • Prepare reports and publications on the CSU-TAPS program and associated research.
  • Coordinate with TAPS and Master Irrigator (MI) programs in other western states
Required Job Qualifications
  • Completed BSc in agronomy, soil science, engineering, agronomy, agriculture technology, or a closely related field + 5 years related experience, or MSc degree + 2 years’ experience, or Ph.D.
  • Minimum 2 years’ experience with agriculture field sensors (e.g. soil moisture, weather, plant sensors, soil flux/gas analyzers, and/or remote sensing) and data collection systems)
  • Experience implementing field irrigated agriculture research
  • Demonstrated written and oral communication skills
  • Must have a valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain a valid driver’s license or access to a licensed driver by the position start date.
  • Applicants must be eligible to begin working in the U.S. upon successful background check by Colorado State University and Federal funding agency.
Preferred Job Qualifications
  • Experience with irrigation scheduling, Variable Rate Irrigation prescriptions and management
  • Experience working with diverse stakeholders (e.g. producers, water managers, extension, or technical service providers)
  • Experience managing grant funds and reporting
Diversity Statement
Reflecting departmental and institutional values, candidates are expected to have the ability to advance the Department’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Essential Duties


Job Duty Category Field research design and management
Duty/Responsibility
  • This position is responsible for preparing materials, installing, calibrating and managing field sensors, coordinating with ARDEC staff for field preparation and irrigation scheduling.
Percentage Of Time 40
Job Duty Category Data Collection
Duty/Responsibility
  • This position is key in the collection, processing and analysis of all data required for the TAPS program. 
  • This includes soil tests, plot photos, harvest data, grain moisture, plant tissue sampling, soil flux data, monitoring and assessing field conditions, and more. 
  • This also includes ensuring the functionality and accuracy of sensing equipment and variable-rate irrigation systems.
Percentage Of Time 40
Job Duty Category Planning, Reporting, and Communications
Duty/Responsibility
  • This position will coordinate and participate in the design of agronomic and irrigation research; contribute knowledge, observations, data analysis and communications for newsletters, progress and financial reports, grant applications, and other documents. 
  • They will arrange and conduct on-site visits, field days and other events with guests from industry, producers, faculty researchers, and out of state collaborators on research.
Percentage Of Time 20

Application Details


Special Instructions to Applicants
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, but for full consideration, all materials must be received by Sunday, April 7, 2024. CSU is committed to full inclusion of qualified individuals. If you are needing assistance or accommodations with the search process, please reach out to the listed search contact.References will not be contacted without prior notification to candidates.
Conditions of Employment Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires), Valid Driver’s License
Search Contact [email protected]
EEO Statement
Colorado State University is committed to providing an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based on race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or pregnancy in its employment, programs, services and activities, and admissions, and, in certain circumstances, marriage to a co-worker. The University will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. Colorado State University is an equal opportunity and equal access institution and affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce and complies with all Federal and Colorado State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. The Office of Equal Opportunity is located in 101 Student Services.
The Title IX Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Title IX Programs and Gender Equity, 123 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-1715, [email protected] .
The Section 504 and ADA Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836, [email protected] .
The Coordinator for any other forms of misconduct prohibited by the University’s Policy on Discrimination and Harassment is the Vice President for Equity, Equal Opportunity and Title IX, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, Co. 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836, [email protected] .
Any person may report sex discrimination under Title IX to the Office of Civil Rights, Department of Education .
Background Check Policy Statement
Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

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