What are the responsibilities and job description for the Field Scout - Shenandoah County position at Virginia Tech?
Job Description
The VCE Shenandoah Unit is seeking a Field Scout. Work begins February 2026 through September 2026. Work will be a minimum of 20 hours per week. The candidate will be responsible for scouting fields for a research project focused on slug management in soybean. This position is expected to make and maintain legible notebooks on all aspects of the field work, perform data entry into computer programs such as Word or Excel, and ensure that electronic data are backed up on at least one external medium. Additional duties will include office work. Much of the field work needs to be done between daylight and 11:00 AM.
Required Qualifications
Experience and/or education in plant science, biology or a relevant discipline. Virginia driver’s License. Must be willing to walk into crop fields and collect data in both cold and hot conditions.
Preferred Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in science or related field (or pursuing a degree); field crop and/or lab experience; computer skills (MS word and Excel; email and Internet).
Pay Band
2
Overtime Status
Non-Exempt: Eligible for overtime
Appointment Type
Hourly Wage
Salary Information
$16 - $22
Hours per week
20
Review Date
January 7, 2026
Additional Information
The successful candidate must have a driver's license check with an acceptable and safe driving record.
The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.
About Virginia Tech
Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges , a school of medicine , a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School , and Honors College . The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes . A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.
Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance . These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.
Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.
If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Bobby Clark at raclark@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.
The VCE Shenandoah Unit is seeking a Field Scout. Work begins February 2026 through September 2026. Work will be a minimum of 20 hours per week. The candidate will be responsible for scouting fields for a research project focused on slug management in soybean. This position is expected to make and maintain legible notebooks on all aspects of the field work, perform data entry into computer programs such as Word or Excel, and ensure that electronic data are backed up on at least one external medium. Additional duties will include office work. Much of the field work needs to be done between daylight and 11:00 AM.
Required Qualifications
Experience and/or education in plant science, biology or a relevant discipline. Virginia driver’s License. Must be willing to walk into crop fields and collect data in both cold and hot conditions.
Preferred Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in science or related field (or pursuing a degree); field crop and/or lab experience; computer skills (MS word and Excel; email and Internet).
Pay Band
2
Overtime Status
Non-Exempt: Eligible for overtime
Appointment Type
Hourly Wage
Salary Information
$16 - $22
Hours per week
20
Review Date
January 7, 2026
Additional Information
The successful candidate must have a driver's license check with an acceptable and safe driving record.
The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.
About Virginia Tech
Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges , a school of medicine , a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School , and Honors College . The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes . A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.
Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance . These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.
Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.
If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Bobby Clark at raclark@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.
Salary : $16 - $22