Agricultural Research Technologist 2

Available Title(s):
570F-YN_CS_NPS - Agricultural Research Technologist 2
Business Title:
Agricultural Research Technologist 2
Employee Type:
Classified
Time Type:
Full time
Position Term:
12 Month
Position Details:
About the Unit:
The USDA ARS Western Regional Plant Introduction Station (WRPIS) is a plant genebank with over 100,000 different kinds of plants important to US agriculture and rangeland management. We provide high quality seeds and propagules to plant breeders, geneticists, and other scientists to help create improved crop varieties for US and international farmers. The genetic diversity held within the collections of the WRPIS represent the solution to current and future challenges to agriculture from diseases, insects, a changing climate, and changing nutritional needs, all while reducing the inputs of water, fertilizers, and pesticides needed to maintain high yields.
Washington State University hires a team of field and technical staff to work in coordination with the WRPIS to support the W-6 mission to sustain and enhance germplasm resources. WSU staff are supported by contributions of the 13 western land grants and integrate and work closely with USDA scientists to grow, evaluate, and distribute germplasm accessions and associated information. As a member of the W-6 staff, this position supports the WRPIS in the processing, cleaning and distribution of small- to medium-sized seeds of diverse plant species and the data associated with them in order to promote germplasm maintenance, improvement, and distribution.
Summary of Duties:
This Agricultural Research Technologist 2 position serves as a skilled technical specialist supporting germplasm regeneration within the Department of Crop and Soils Sciences in support of the USDA ARS Plant Introduction Station. This position is responsible for managing germplasm (seeds) coming into the storage facility and filling and shipping seed orders placed by agricultural scientists and educators from public, private, and academic institutions in the US and worldwide. Responsibilities also include supporting needs within seed storage such as assisting with data management, purchasing, and daily communications via email, Teams and phone with germplasm requestors, USDA ARS unit staff and other location support.
Job Duties:
Seed Storage | 70%

• Process, fill, organize and ship seed orders using specialized database software, Excel, and Label-making software.
• Evaluate condition of seed to be placed in storage or sent off premises in daily seed orders.
• Weigh, package and enter data for regenerated germplasm for (5) curatorial programs: Temperate Forage Grasses, Common Bean, Horticultural Crops, Temperate Forage Legumes and Cool Season Legumes.
• Record data all entries to be stored in the Seed Storage Facility and document, and accurately label all seed samples.
• Design, develop & maintain records of seed inventory data for GRIN data upload.
• Create/modify Excel templates using formulas/filtering/sorting and reference lists to transform raw data into appropriate format for upload.
• Communicate regularly with Curators and Researchers as to seed quality and quantities.
• Communicate with Requestors on requirements for importing into different countries and the status of their orders.
• Operate bar-coding equipment for data transfer.
• Process shipments via UPS and Fed Ex and transport them to the appropriate drop-off location.
• Pick up deliveries from Clark Hall or central receiving, as needed.
• Help germplasm requestors locate and order the proper accessions from the public website.
• Fill pre-packaged standard check packets for distribution.
• Evaluate and help to maintain safety equipment in compliance with Federal, State, and WSU policies and procedures.
• Work with Pullman Farm Manager and Seed Storage manager to create and assist in managing monthly budget for acquisition and purchase of supplies for seed storage.
• Independently verify purchase card transactions and provide monthly reports to the Pullman Farm Manager.
• Extensive employment experience with multiple software programs, with a preference for Microsoft Office and relational database querying/interface software is preferred to assist with:
  - processing seed orders
  - managing inventories
  - printing inventory labels, seed packet labels, and address labels
  - Locating germplasm inventory in the GRIN database
  - creating and modifying SOP's
  - assisting the Seed Storage Manager with inventory records and germplasm order processing via GRIN Global database software.
  - entering and managing other data
• Ability to work in a shared, flexible workspace with many interruptions while maintaining independence and productivity, simultaneously, remaining receptive and congenial to coworkers.
• Lift/carry up to 40 pounds (including briefly overhead), carry boxes up and down steep flight of stairs to basement; retrieve supplies and inventories from walk-in freezer; bend and kneel frequently
• Work in a cold storage facility (4C or -20C) for extended periods to fill seed orders and put away/organize seed inventories

Lead | 15%

• Assist in process to hire students and/or part-time help in accordance with WSU policies and procedures for the USDA-ARS Plant Introduction seed storage location.
• Assist Supervisors as needed to train and supervise personnel, including full-time technicians, part-time employees, student employees, visiting research associates and graduate students, and volunteers on standard procedures and protocols, including:
  -Safety policies
  -Proper use of equipment and research instruments
  -Daily operations in seed storage
  -Use and access of cold storage
  -Use of the proprietary Curator Tool software and other software programs
  -Use of specialized printers, label makers and other specialized office machines
  -Performing information searches on the NPGS Public Website

Assist Unit Programs | 10%

• Assist Farm Manager, Curators and Technicians in the field and greenhouses as needed during growing seasons with planting, weeding plots, and harvesting. And other duties as assigned.
• Occasionally assist program Curators and Technicians in laboratories with various research projects as needed with:
  -Extracting DNA
  -Tissue sampling and preparation
  -Collecting and/or recording data
  -Use of NIR machine

Miscellaneous Duties | 5%

• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:
Bachelor's Degree in the applied, biological, chemical, physical or agricultural sciences, AND one year of experience as an Agricultural Research Technologist 1; OR equivalent education/experience.
Additional Information:
Area/College:
College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS)
Department Name:
Crop and Soil Sciences
City, State, Zip:
Pullman, WA 99164
Department Link:
https://css.wsu.edu/
Monthly Salary:
Range 40, $3,246.00 - $4,324.00 (Steps A - M) | Successful candidates typically begin at the beginning of the salary range and receive scheduled salary increment increases in accordance with WAC 357-28.
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 classified staff visit: https://hrs.wsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/2023-Benefit-Overview-for-Civil-Service.pdf.
Find total compensation here: https://hrs.wsu.edu/managers/recruitment-toolkit/total-compensation/.
Overtime Eligibility:
Overtime Eligible
FTE:
100%
This is a Permanent position
Posting Close Date:
Applicants must submit their completed application by May 31, 2023 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:
Please upload all documents in the "Resume/CV" section of your application. 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.
Application materials should clearly communicate how the applicant meets all required qualifications and additional requirements.
Required Documents:
1) Resume
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 hrs@wsu.edu.