Senior Agriculturalist - Perkins and Farm BS

Campus: OSU-Stillwater

Contact Name & Email:
Dr. Justin Moss, mossjq

Work Schedule:

Monday through Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm with occasional evenings and weekends.

Appointment Length:
Regular Continuous/Until Further Notice

Hiring Range: $45,000 - $55,000 Salary

Special Instructions to Applicants:
For full consideration, please include a resume, cover letter and contact information for three professional references.

This position will serve as a Senior Agriculturalist in the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture (HLA). The candidate will assist with day-to-day management of the vegetable production research plots and land, small fruit tree and shrub research areas, high tunnel research area, and viticulture research and demonstration areas, located at the Cimarron Valley Research Station in Perkins, OK, The Botanic Garden at OSU, the Greenhouse Learning Center, and the Vegetable Research areas of the OSU vegetable student farm.

The position will be housed at OSU HLA in Stillwater, OK. They will assist with vegetable and small fruit crop production, management, soil testing and interpretation, pest, insect, and disease scouting, fertilizer, chemical, and pesticide applications, tillage, cover crop management, starting and transplanting of crops, seeding of crops, irrigation, mulching, compost system management, and produce handling and safety, both in the field and in the controlled environment.

The candidate will assist and work with current OSU HLA Senior Agriculturalist and may assist with supervision of undergraduate student workers or interns. This position is stationed in Stillwater, OK with regular travel to Perkins, OK required. The position will report directly to the Department Head of the HLA Department.

• Bachelor’s in Horticulture, Plant Science, Soil Science, Agronomy, Environmental Science or a closely related field. (degree must be conferred on or before agreed upon start date)
• 1-3 years of progressively responsible experience in agronomic or horticultural crop production, farm operations, or agricultural research support.
• Experience must include hands‑on operation and maintenance of farm equipment and machinery, irrigation system installation and management, pesticide application, and soil fertility management.
• Experience working on or supporting university, commercial, or government farm or research operations is required.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision across multiple locations is essential.
• Certifications, Registrations, and/or Licenses:
  Valid Oklahoma driver’s license. Oklahoma Pesticide Applicator’s License (Category 3a, 3c and 10) or ability to obtain within 90 days of hire.
• Skills, Proficiencies, and/or Knowledge:
  • Knowledge of agronomic and horticultural crop production practices.
  • Knowledge of farm and garden equipment operation and safety.
  • Knowledge of irrigation systems and pesticide application protocols.
  • Ability to maintain accurate field and research records.
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
  • Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
  • Proficiency in common computer software (MS Word, Excel, Outlook, Microsoft 365).
  • Demonstrated ability to train and guide student workers.

• Master’s in Horticulture, Plant Science, Soil Science, Agronomy, Environmental Science or a closely related field.
• More than 3 years of progressively responsible experience in agronomic or horticultural crop production, farm operations, or agricultural research support.
• Experience supporting university-based agricultural research, including maintenance of research plots and coordination with faculty investigators.
• Experience in vegetable production systems, plasticulture, and drip irrigation.
• Prior experience supervising student workers or seasonal employees.
• Familiarity with OSU Extension or land-grant university operations.