Job Description

Job Summary
This recruitment will be used to fill one full-time Biological Sciences Research Technician 1 position for the Oregon State University’s Southern Oregon Research and Extension Center (SOREC) located in Central Point. This is a limited duration appointment expected to last approximately 1-2 years from the appointment begin date and is contingent upon available funding.

The incumbent will assist and support researchers in the viticulture program. Duties will include setting up trials at orchard and vineyard field sites (both on- and off-station), field data collection, sample processing and laboratory analyses, insect population monitoring, and conducting on-farm demonstrations.

This position requires driving a state vehicle to field sites.
Why OSU?
Working for Oregon State University is so much more than a job!

Oregon State University is a dynamic community of dreamers, doers, problem-solvers and change-makers. We don’t wait for challenges to present themselves — we seek them out and take them on. We welcome students, faculty and staff from every background and perspective into a community where everyone feels seen and heard. We have deep-rooted mindfulness for the natural world and all who depend on it, and together, we apply knowledge, tools and skills to build a better future for all.

FACTS:

• Top 1.4% university in the world
• More research funding than all public universities in Oregon combined
• 1 of 3 land, sea, space and sun grant universities in the U.S.
• 2 campuses, 11 colleges, 12 experiment stations, and Extension programs in all 36 counties
• 7 cultural resource centers that offer education, celebration and belonging for everyone
• 100+ undergraduate degree programs, 80+ graduate degrees plus hundreds of minor options and certificates
• 35k+ students including more than 2.3k international students and 10k students of color
• 217k+ alumni worldwide
• For more interesting facts about OSU visit: https://oregonstate.edu/about

Locations:

Oregon State has a statewide presence with campuses in Corvallis and Bend, the OSU Portland Center and the Hatfield Marine Science Center on the Pacific Coast in Newport.

Oregon State’s beautiful, historic and state-of-the-art main campus is located in one of America’s best college towns. Corvallis is located close to the Pacific Ocean, the Cascade mountains and Oregon wine country. Nestled in the heart of the Willamette Valley, this beautiful city offers miles of mountain biking and hiking trails, a river perfect for boating or kayaking and an eclectic downtown featuring local cuisine, popular events and performances.

Total Rewards Package:

Oregon State University offers a comprehensive benefits package with benefits eligible positions that is designed to meet the needs of employees and their families including:
• Medical, Dental, Vision and Basic Life. OSU pays 95% of premiums for you and your eligible dependents.
• Free confidential mental health and emotional support services, and counseling resources.
• Retirement savings paid by the university.
• A generous paid leave package, including holidays, vacation and sick leave.
• Tuition reduction benefits for you or your qualifying dependents at OSU or the additional six Oregon Public Universities.
• Robust Work Life programs including Dual Career assistance resources, flexible work arrangements, a Family Resource Center, Affinity Groups and an Employee Assistance Program.

Future and current OSU employees can use the Benefits Calculator to learn more about the full value of the benefits provided at OSU.
Key Responsibilities
50% Field work
Impose experimental treatments at on-station and on-farm research sites and monitor vegetative and reproductive growth and development of plants. Monitor plant water and nutrient status as needed. Irrigate and fertilize plots per predefined experimental protocols. Monitor insect and mite populations using specific traps and lures. Collect tissue samples for further laboratory analyses of size and composition.

40% Lab work
Process field samples for size and composition, disease diagnosis, and further laboratory analyses. Count arthropods with a dissecting microscope. Enter data in electronic format. Maintain lab equipment and instruments and keep labs clean.

10% Miscellaneous
Participate in group meetings, discussions, and staff events at the station. Participate in training sessions, formal and informal, on- or off-site, as needed. Assist SOREC staff in regular building, grounds, and equipment maintenance tasks as needed.
What We Require
Two years of college-level courses in (specific field of biological science); OR an equivalent combination of training and experience.

What You Will Need
This position is designated as a critical or security-sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a criminal history check and be determined to be position qualified as per University Standard: 05-010 et seq. Incumbents are required to self-report convictions and those in youth programs may have additional criminal history checks every 24 months.

This position requires driving a university vehicle or a personal vehicle on behalf of the university; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a motor vehicle history check, possess and maintain a current, valid driver’s license in their state of residence, be determined to be position qualified and self-report convictions as per University Policy 05-030.
What We Would Like You to Have
Prior experience working in vineyards and orchards.

Prior experience identifying insects.

Prior experience working at an off-campus research station.

A demonstrable commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity
Working Conditions / Work Schedule
Employees in this class have limited contact with others outside the unit. Employees have occasional (varies depending on the season) in-person and telephone contact with the researchers to receive clarification of work assignments, report observations, or make suggestions on technical operations and with equipment suppliers to obtain service parts and supplies.

This position may work in inclement weather conditions when at field sites for several hours. The position also requires work inside a lab and/or in front of a computer for several hours.

Standard work schedule is M-F during normal operating hours at SOREC (8am – 5pm) with some variation during harvest season (July through September).

This position is located in a lab where lab machinery may be running consistently and will be required to perform repetitive tasks as part of their duties.