CFANS CS/BU POSITION DESCRIPTION

North Central Research and Outreach Center

College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS)

Position Title: 

• Plant Science Research Manager

Offer Range: 

• $30.00 - $32.50 (0.77 - 0.84) ($62,400 - $67,600)

Position and/or Unit Overview:

The North Central Research and Outreach Center (NCROC) in Grand Rapids, Minnesota seeks a qualified individual to fill the NCROC Plant Science Research Manager position. This position is responsible for excellence in plant sciences research and rotational output including the management of long-range cropping sequences for active research, rotational land activity, and livestock research feed stocks. This position works closely with internal and external researchers to maintain the research integrity of the land and supervise staff and students involved in field operations. This position supports research and rotational land-use activities through direct and indirect field operations and management.

This is a 12-month full time position and reports directly to the NCROC Director of Operations. The individual in this position is expected to be the leader of the NCROC Plant Science research team, be able to constructively communicate and collaborate with those internal to the plant science team as well as other working groups at NCROC, and to proactively advance the research service mission of NCROC. This individual will have excellent communication skills and be able to work effectively in a collaborative team atmosphere.

Please note this position is 100% on-site and located in Grand Rapids, Minnesota.

Specific Responsibilities include, but are not all inclusive:

Manage and Coordinate plant science activities for research and non-research land use (60%)

• Develop, manage and implement effective land and cultural management plans for those land parcels used regularly for research, as well as the land not currently in active research but used in rotation for cropping research and animal research feedstock.
• Direct all cultural practices on research, rotational, and livestock feedstock areas to maximize University resources while maintaining a high level of station efficiency through the most effective procedures.
• Manage and oversee greenhouse use, activities and infrastructures
• Liaison between research projects and station staff to efficiently manage and set protocols for the research requests and communicate effectively the needs and expectations of all. This also includes the coordination and approval of research requests for station visits and activities by other internal and external plant science research team members.
• Govern program and implement cultural practices and labor requirements for all plant science research and non-research areas, in union with respected parties.
• Manage and maintain all records associated with all plant science activities at the Center
• Determine land-use allocation for specific research projects approved by the research team and project PI's and oversee its implementation.
• Participate in outreach strategies and activities for NCROC events and other collegiate or community engagement.

Direct research field support and data recordkeeping (25%)

• Operate, maintain, and calibrate field plot equipment to accomplish the research objectives. This includes tillage, fertilization, planting, pesticide selection and application, plot management/maintenance, and harvest.
• Oversee and input proper cropping data into multiple data tracking programs and softwares to ensure compliance and quality of data.
• Track progress of experiments, sample processing and data collection.
• Manage and oversee all weather data collection equipment and data output for NCROC.

Supervision (15%)

• Independently direct the activities and supervise other members of the plant science team, including research technicians, equipment operators, and seasonal labor.
• Communicate with other full time NCROC programs leaders in a collaborative team approach.
• Conduct the annual performance reviews of individual plant science team members. Work with the Director of Operations to develop and implement performance management initiatives, potential professional development activities, and employee engagement opportunities for the NCROC plant science
• Maintain work hour records of summer students and summarize direct team work hours per research project and field activity.

Essential Qualification:

• Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural related field plus at least five years of relevant experience in plot field research including the operation, maintenance, and calibration of plot equipment; or advanced degree plus at least three years of relevant experience, or a combination of related education and work experience to equal at least nine
• Degree and experience in agricultural and horticultural production practices, experience with but not limited to row crops, forages, pastures, small grains, potatoes and other horticultural cropping systems.
• Supervisor experience.

Desired Qualifications:

• Evidence of effective communication skills.
• Evidence of effectively working with a collaborative team atmosphere.
• Must currently possess or be able to obtain within the probationary period a non-commercial pesticide application license.
• Experience in the use of Microsoft Office programs such as Word, Excel, and/or Access.

How To Apply

• Interested candidates will click "Apply to This Position" button for application instructions.