Plant Science Research Farm Turf Research Technician Laboratory Technician 1

Profile

Search #:
496101
Work type:
Full-time
Location:
Storrs Campus
Categories:
Laboratory and Research Operations

JOB SUMMARY
The Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture at the **MEMBERS ONLY**SIGN UP NOW***., Storrs Campus, seeks qualified applicants for the full-time position of Plant Science Research Farm Turf Research Technician. Under the general supervision of the Research Farm Manager and the Department Head, this position provides technical assistance to researchers and faculty members in the establishment and maintenance of turfgrass used in research, teaching, and outreach. Duties also include pesticide application and maintenance, and repair of equipment associated with field and greenhouse projects.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Responsible for establishing, maintaining, and renovating turfgrass areas for research, teaching, and outreach activities.
Prioritize cultural management of turfgrass research plots in consultation with researchers and farm manager. This includes mowing, irrigating, fertilizing, cultivating, and pest scouting.
Prepare and apply pesticides as needed to manage weeds, insects, and diseases of turfgrasses in research fields and greenhouses.
Calibrate field equipment to ensure accurate application of fertilizers and pesticides.
Responsible for the operation, maintenance, and repair of high-volume, golf course-style irrigation system, and satellite controllers.
Collect, compile, and distribute climate, soil conditions, and other data to researchers to inform experimental activity and turfgrass health management decisions.
Participate in field laboratory procedures such as the establishment of research trials, treatment applications, soil sampling, plant tissue harvest, and other quantitative and qualitative data collection, as needed, for faculty researchers.
Maintain appropriate digital records and files related to the maintenance of research plots.
Assist faculty and researchers in facilitating teaching and outreach missions, including preparation of plant specimens; development and presentation of turfgrass instructional content for undergraduate and professional learners; and planning and delivery of outreach activities such as the UConn Turfgrass Field Day and other events.
Operate equipment, instrumentation, and related components including computer software and systems. Assist in maintaining proper working order of equipment and tools.
Provide supervision of hourly labor, students, and other support positions associated with the Turfgrass Science Program.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor's degree in turfgrass science, plant science, or a related field, and one or more years of related experience; OR Associate's degree in the same or related field, and three or more years of related experience.
Knowledge and experience in growing and maintaining high-quality turfgrass areas such as sports fields, golf courses, or field research plots.
Experience operating and repairing high-volume golf course-style irrigation systems.
Experience with specialized turfgrass equipment operation including reel-mowers.
Knowledge of Integrated Pest Management for control of turfgrass pests.
Ability to identify turfgrass species and diagnose common weed, insect, and disease problems.
Familiarity with calibration, application, maintenance, and repair of large-volume motorized boom-sprayers and broadcast spreaders.
Familiarity with computers and electronic record keeping.
Effective communication and conflict resolution skills.
Self-motivated, independent worker with the ability to prioritize duties.
Must be willing and able to occasionally work a flexible and irregular work schedule including evening and weekend hours.
Current Connecticut Governmental Commercial Junior Operator Certification pesticide license and a valid motor vehicle operator license are necessary or must be acquired within 6 months of hire.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Master's degree in turfgrass science, plant science, or a related field.
Three or more years of experience with intensively managed turfgrass.
Experience conducting and managing turfgrass research.
Experience with the operation of research instrumentation and techniques used in turfgrass studies, including digital image analysis, volumetric water content, and normalized difference vegetative index measurement.
Basic maintenance and repair skills for small-engines and specialized turfgrass and landscape equipment including precision adjustment of reel-mowers for fine-cut turfgrass.
Supervisory experience.
Interest in contributing to the promotion and improvement of the UConn Turfgrass Science Program.
Willingness to expand turfgrass knowledge by attending continuing education programs and professional conferences.
Physical Requirements
Must possess adequate physical strength, stamina, agility, and fitness to perform the required duties.

APPOINTMENT TERMS
This is a full-time position and is designated as an ad-hoc emergency support services/essential staff. Must be willing and able to work during closures/delayed openings due to inclement weather or for significant events that effect campus operations. The standard workweek is 35 hours (7 hours/day; 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM), Monday through Friday, however, the workweek may occasionally change as required to meet operational and staffing needs. Salary will be commensurate with experience and anticipated to range between $47,000 to $55,000.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Employment at the **MEMBERS ONLY**SIGN UP NOW***. is contingent upon the successful candidate's compliance with the University's Mandatory Workforce COVID-19 Vaccination Policy. This Policy states that all workforce members are required to have or obtain a Covid-19 vaccination as a term and condition of employment at UConn, unless an exemption or deferral has been approved.

Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.

TO APPLY
Please apply online at ****Staff Positions, Search #496101 to upload a resume
and cover letter
that specifically address your credentials relative to the minimum and preferred qualifications listed above, and contact information for three (3) professional references.
Screening of applications will begin immediately.

This job posting is scheduled to be removed at 11:55 p.m. Eastern time on March 20, 2022.

All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics which may be found at ****The **MEMBERS ONLY**SIGN UP NOW***. is committed to building and supporting a multicultural and diverse community of students, faculty and staff. The diversity of students, faculty and staff continues to increase, as does the number of honors students, valedictorians and salutatorians who consistently make UConn their top choice. More than 100 research centers and institutes serve the University's teaching, research, diversity, and outreach missions, leading to UConn's ranking as one of the nation's top research universities. UConn's faculty and staff are the critical link to fostering and expanding our vibrant, multicultural and diverse University community. As an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity employer, UConn encourages applications from women, veterans, people with disabilities and members of traditionally underrepresented populations.
Advertised:
Feb 25 2022
Eastern Standard Time
Applications close:
Mar 20 2022
Eastern Daylight Time
**MEMBERS ONLY**SIGN UP NOW***.

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