Forages Field Technician

Forages Field Technician

Full Time

JR-10177

In support of the USDA-funded project, Dr. Liliane Silva at Clemson University seeks highly motivated candidates for a Forages Field Technician position to work on a multi-disciplinary team that will evaluate forage-livestock systems through forage, soil and greenhouse gas data collection and sampling in South Carolina. The Field Technician will lead the measurement of soil greenhouse gas fluxes using an automated, multi-chamber, LICOR system, and smart-chambers.

Additionally, the technician will support Silva's research and Extension program directly. The position is based out of the Edisto Research and Education Center in Blackville, SC, but involves frequent travel within South Carolina and interaction with producer collaborating in multiple research efforts. The ideal candidate will be self-motivated and eager to learn, adopt and implement techniques as needed; has ability to plan, manage, lead, and communicate tasks/results across groups;

collect, analyze and interpret data; meet the deadlines as required by the supervisor and project (s); communicates clearly, is well organized, centered, has strong work ethics, dedicated; able to follow instructions as assigned and follow through on tasks. Some prior experience with flux measurement and data loggers is preferred, but not required since training will be provided.

• 10% - Land preparation, and assigned duties to plant, cultivate and harvest crops utilized as feed for livestock. Build, repair and provide maintenance for permanent or temporary electric fencing utilized on research areas for research projects. Performs routine health checks and monitors status, supports care, and handling of livestock under research projects under the forage-livestock systems program. Acquires the proper training and adheres to the established IACUC guidelines and requirements for the use of livestock in research projects to guarantee adequate work development and data collection.
  
  Thus, acquires training for pesticide application and any other required training as assigned by supervisor.
• 35% - Equipment data collection, use, transportation and maintenance:
  Transport of the LICOR system to farms at weekly intervals, assembly, basic troubleshooting, data collection, and initial data processing. Additionally, acquires proper training to utilize basic and specific forage research equipment and provides leadership to their utilization and adheres to the maintenance schedules and provide leadership on proper use, maintenance, transportation, storage, and guarantees the proper functioning of all equipment under the forage-livestock program.
  
  Transports equipment to off-site research locations when necessary to conduct research projects. Additional duties may be assigned.
• 35% - Assist and support forage-livestock research projects:
  Activities will include but are not limited to plot preparation, pasture planting, establishment and grazing, beef cattle handling, mowing, herbicide application, among others. Laboratory work, including collecting, weighing, grinding and processing forage and soil samples. Additionally, sample preparation for analysis, data entry, and collecting various samples such as forage, soil, manure and cattle weights. Support and assist the work conducted by the supervisor, graduate students and postdoctoral fellows at the research station and on-farm research sites.
• 10% - Support for data collection and educational activities: supports and collects data, data entry and processing responsibilities, as directed by project leader (s). Assist with the organization of workshops and educational activities. Provides proper communication with supervisor and others and works with supervisor, postdocs, graduate students and others who may be developing research under the forage-livestock systems program. Additional duties may be assigned.
• 10% - Facility and equipment routine cleanness and maintenance: repairs, clean shared spaces routinely and provides regular basic maintenance and proper organization to equipment (e.g., drill, harvester, etc), facilities (e.g., field lab, clean lab) and organization and storage of forage and soil samples. Organizes and maintain properly storage of seed and fertilizer, and shared spaces for sample processing. Oversees and communicates storage, maintenance, and product needs.
  
  Oversees and conduct routine checks of experimental area infrastructure (e.g., fencing). Additional duties may be assigned.

LA25

Time-Limited (TLP) Staff

A bachelor's degree in animal husbandry, agriculture or a related field and work experience that is directly related to the area of employment. Work experience that is directly related to the area of employment may be substituted for the bachelor's degree on a year-for-year basis.

Fundamental working knowledge of concepts, practices and procedures and ability to apply in varied…