Research Technician - Farm Operations

The Land Institute•Salina, KS

1d•$45,968 - $55,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Land Institute co-leads the global movement for perennial, diverse, regenerative grain agriculture at a scale that matches the enormity of the intertwined climate, water, and food security crises. An independent 501c3 non-profit founded in 1976, the organization seeks to reconcile the human economy with nature's economy, starting with food. The transdisciplinary team of scientists, together with global partners, is developing new perennial grain crops , like Kernza ©, and diverse cropping systems that function within nature's limits while researching the social transformation required for a just, perennial human future. As a Research Technician, you will support and enact the daily field operations of the research programs. You are flexible, as there is a wide variety of tasks and seasonal changes in workflows. Your daily tasks will include plot maintenance, maintaining and installing equipment, and assisting with the training and direction of research assistants. You are a team player and motivated to see more perennial grains on the landscape. You thrive when managing multiple tasks, projects, and timelines simultaneously under the direction of the Natural Science Research Director/ Farm Manager, sometimes working independently and at other times working collaboratively with research scientists and technicians.

Requirements

You hold a Bachelor’s degree or higher in a relevant field (e.g., Agronomy/management, weed science, crop protection, or agricultural science-related field)
You have experience working outdoors in extreme conditions
Background in agriculture, farming, agronomy, or a related field
Interested in a career related to agriculture, agronomy, and sustainable food systems
Good communication skills, both written and oral
Basic math skills and numerical literacy
Computer literacy: able to use word processing and spreadsheet applications
Observe safety and security procedures; use equipment and materials properly
Demonstrate accuracy and thoroughness; look for ways to improve and promote quality
Ability to work well with others throughout the organization to build positive teamwork
Physical fitness is required for manual weeding, harvesting, and other fieldwork
Ability to lift up to 50 lbs

Nice To Haves

Experience with farm and threshing equipment operation, repair, and transport (particularly with trailers, tractors, zero-turn mowers, etc.)
Combined field research and farm operation experience

Responsibilities

Initiate, oversee, and maintain research plots through a variety of tasks that include sowing and transplanting, weeding, mowing, irrigating, applying fertilizer, insecticide, fungicide, and herbicide.
Sample and harvest field plots in accordance with research timelines
Process and clean post-harvest samples, including de-hulling, threshing, removing chaff, and collecting sample data such as biomass, seed size, thousand kernel seed weight, etc.
Carefully record the time and location of field operations in notebooks, spreadsheets, and online databases; maintain a system of organization consistent with research goals
Ensure that equipment and supplies are available, clean, and in good working order before, during, and after use
Assist with natural area management as requested, including burning, brush control, trail maintenance, and revegetation
Help install or remove high tunnels, tunnel covers, weed fabric, plot markers or fences, and temporary irrigation systems.
Assist with special events, including tent setup and teardown, signage, etc.
Assist with snow removal and spring campus clean-up.
Maintain relationships, communication, and coordination between farm, operations, and research staff
Direct & oversee the work of research assistants in the field and seed cleaning tasks, as well as assisting with any necessary training
Help with post-harvest sample cleaning and help coordinate the use of cleaning equipment with research programs
Manage the Land Institute’s shared seed threshing/cleaning facilities, including space organization & scheduling, equipment maintenance & storage, and user training.
Research and make recommendations about equipment features and integrations between equipment, and about new equipment purchase options.
Help to refine field and sample processing protocols
Participate in The Land Institute’s diversity initiatives
Develop, maintain, and honor relationships with diverse groups and people
Build relationships with diverse partners with a mind toward further collaboration