Junior Research Specialist or Research Specialist in Agriculture |
Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering

College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences
& Grainger College of Engineering

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

WE TRANSFORM LIVES. Everything we do is designed to improve the quality of life of the people of the state of Illinois, across the nation, and around the world. We discover, develop, translate, and disseminate knowledge to address societal concerns and train the next generation of experts and leaders in a way that empowers them to expand the boundaries of science to higher levels of understanding and influence.

Be a part of our story. The Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering (ABE) is part the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES), as well as the Grainger College of Engineering (GCOE).

The primary responsibility of the Junior Research Specialist/Research Specialist in Agriculture is to coordinate research farm ground and livestock operations for Agricultural & Biological Engineering (ABE) and Animal Sciences. This vacancy will be for one hire at either the Junior Specialist or Specialist level, depending on qualifications.
Responsibilities:

Junior Specialist

1. Research, education and extension (50%)

• Organize and perform the day-to-day research, educational, and extension operations and needs of faculty, graduate students and others with the departments of ABE and Animal Sciences.

• Work collaboratively with faculty and other units in advancing research and outreach goals of the departments.

• Collaboratively conduct and coordinate research at the South Farms; collect, analyze, evaluate, and summarize experimental data; utilize and maintain data collection systems for the units.

• Assist faculty and staff with teaching, demonstrations, labs, and/or trainings at the South Farms and campus locations

• Assist faculty in industry outreach activities, including Feed Technology Center (FTC) demonstrations.

2. Farm and livestock operations (40%)

• Assist with various types of field crop and forage activities, including but not limited to, planting, various applications, harvesting, monitoring for pests, tillage, and soil sampling.

• Institute and maintain professional standards for facility appearance. This will include general lawn care, roadside and grass pasture maintenance, weed and vegetation control, and driveway maintenance including snow removal.

• Ensure routine maintenance of equipment and coordinate installation and repair of equipment.

• Ensure job tasks are performed in a safe manner and in conformity with ACES safety programs and procedures. This could include educating visitors and students.

3. Personnel supervision and other responsibilities (10%)

• Provide on-site day-to-day supervision of personnel and researchers working at the South Farms.

• Coordinate with outside vendors when necessary and ensure vendors follow University guidelines and complete the tasks to standards.

• Participate and assist in setting up and tear down of special events and activities that take place within ABE and Animal Sciences.
• Other duties as assigned.

Specialist:

1. Research, education and extension (50%)

• Supervise and perform the day-to-day research, educational, and extension operations and needs of faculty, graduate students and others with the departments of ABE and Animal Sciences.
• Work collaboratively with faculty and other units in advancing research and outreach goals of the departments.
• Coordinate and conduct research at the South Farms; collect, analyze, evaluate, and summarize experimental data; utilize and maintain data collection systems for the units.
• Assist faculty and staff with teaching, demonstrations, labs, and/or trainings at the South Farms.
• Assist faculty in industry outreach activities, including Feed Technology Center (FTC) demonstrations.

2. Farm and livestock operations (40%)

• Coordinate various types of field crop activities, including forage, planting, various applications, harvesting, monitoring for pests, tillage, and soil sampling.

• Develop, institute and maintain professional standards for facility appearance. This will include general lawn care, roadside and grass pasture maintenance, weed and vegetation control, and driveway maintenance including snow removal.
• Oversee routine maintenance of equipment and coordinate installation and repair of equipment.
• Ensure job tasks are performed in a safe manner and in conformity with ACES safety programs and procedures. This could include educating visitors and students.

3. Personnel supervision and other responsibilities (10%)

• Provide on-site day-to-day supervision of personnel and researchers working at the South Farms.
• Coordinate with outside vendors when necessary and ensure vendors follow University guidelines and complete the tasks to standards.
• Participate and assist in setting up and tear down of special events and activities that take place within ABE and Animal Sciences.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

Education:

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Animal Sciences, Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Technical Systems Management, Agronomy, Crop Sciences, or closely related field

Experience:

Required:

• 
  Junior Specialist: 1 years of relevant experience in operating a wide range of lawn and farm equipment, livestock handling of various species of animals, row crop production, and ag technologies related to current data collection systems
• Specialist: 3 years of relevant experience in operating a wide range of lawn and farm equipment, livestock handling of various species of animals, row crop production, and ag technologies related to current data collection systems

Preferred:

• 
  Junior Specialist: Research and teaching experience; Personnel supervision
• Specialist: 1 years Research and teaching experience; 1 years Personnel supervision

Training, Licenses or Certifications:

• Required: Hold or have the ability to obtain a Valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)
• Preferred: Hold an Illinois Pesticides applicators license

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Detail oriented, organized and able to address multiple deadlines simultaneously
• Ability to work as a team as well as independently
• Effective verbal and written communication skills for interaction with diverse audience of internal and external constituents
• Basic computer skills (Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook)

Environmental Demands:
Some work will be required at non-standard times (i.e., early morning, evening, weekend, and overnights). When working, the employee may be exposed to a variety of environmental factors to include, but not limited to, hot or cold weather, exposure to noise and allergens, various heights, and uneven ground. In performing the functions of this position, the employee may be subjected to various mental and physical demands as well to include, but not limited to, independently traveling to and performing work at different locations, lifting and moving items that may frequently weigh up to fifty (50) pounds and occasionally weigh up to seventy-five (75) pounds, and twisting, pushing and pulling movements. Must have the ability to follow OSHA & University safety guidelines.

More detailed information regarding the functions of this position (including the physical, mental and environmental requirements) may be obtained by contacting Timothy Lecher at tlecher@illinois.edu.

Proposed Start Date: As soon as possible after close of search.

Appointment Information: Compensation is commensurate with experience and qualifications. This is a 100%, 12-month, Academic Professional position.

Application Procedures
A candidate profile should be created at jobs.illinois.edu. Please upload a letter of application and resume. In addition, step one of the online application will require the names and contact information of three professional references. To ensure full consideration, all requested information must be submitted by November 16, 2022.

Questions can be directed to Jonathon Mosley, Chair of the Search Committee (jfmosley@illinois.edu). Additional information about the department can be found at abe.illinois.edu.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, COVID-19 vaccination requirement, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal, or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing accessibility@illinois.edu.

Requisition ID: 1013020
Job Category: Research
Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu