General Information
| Job Description | SRA 3 | Working Title | SRA 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Job Code | 009611 | Grade | |
| Department Name | Nematology - D01050 | Department Head | Isgouhi Kaloshian |
| Supervisor | Andreas Westphal | Effective Date | 05/05/2022 |
Position(s) Directly Supervised
| Job Code | Title | FTE |
|---|
Department Custom Scope
| A full-time position for a Staff Research Associate 3 (SRA3) is available in the program of Dr. Andreas Westphal. Dr. Westphal is extension nematologist associated with the University of California Riverside, stationed at the Kearney Ag Center. The focus of his program is on nematode management on walnut, almond, pistachio, and grapes. This opening is for a full-time employee who has experience in agricultural research, preferably in nematology or perennial crops. The purpose of the position is to assist and conduct agricultural research projects in perennial nematology. Knowledge of experimental design, and the command of the requirements when generating publishable research data are prerequisite. Knowledge of agricultural equipment will be beneficial for the successful candidate. Implements used in the program include irrigation systems, chemigation tools, and various agricultural research tools. The incumbent is expected to have or to be willing to obtain a California Pesticide Applicators license (Department of Pesticide Regulation). A California Driver's License is required. After initial training, tasks will be assigned for conduct under minimal supervision. Recurring tasks include collecting soil and plant samples, extract nematodes from soil samples, and oversee greenhouse operations and plant care. Note keeping and initial data entry and curation are part of the tasks in this position. The incumbent in this position will be involved in most aspects of the program with an emphasis on the development of nematode resistant and tolerant rootstocks. Education or experience equivalent to a Bachelor of Sciences in some biological field of study is required plus five years of position-relevant experience. Alternatively, a MS degree plus two years of experience in agricultural research with specific knowledge of general agricultural practices is acceptable. Excellent organizational skills are necessary. Team players are preferred. A California Driver?s license is prerequisite for this position. Adaptability to various research scenarios and willingness to travel within the state are required. The position carries phases of unregular work schedules, and requires work during inclement weather conditions. The incumbent needs to be able and willing to work under adverse temperature conditions. Minimal capacity to repeatedly lift and carry >50 lbs of weight is required. **Please note, this position is located in Parlier, CA **This position is for an early career research associate and as such, the budgeted salary range for this position is $58,454.43 to $59,616.00, depending on the experience of the final candidate. |
Education & Experience Requirements
Education Requirements
| Degree | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's Degree | Preferred |
Experience Requirements
| Experience | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum of 5 years of related experience. | Preferred |
License Requirements
| License | Requirement |
|---|---|
| California Driver's License | Required |
Certification Requirements
| Certification | Requirement |
|---|---|
| California Pesticide Applicators license (Department of Pesticide Regulation) | Preferred |
Educational Condition Requirements
| Condition | Requirement |
|---|
Key Responsibilities
| Description | % Time |
|---|---|
| Implement, streamline, and execute diverse field and greenhouse experiments. The incumbent will be responsible for conducting field experiments and assist with plant selections. Activities include designing and establishing irrigation systems, and chemigation equipment, soil sampling processes and overseeing land preparation tasks. Monitoring large plantings of breeding material are part of the job responsibilities. Ability and willingness to apply experimental and registered pesticides is required. Obtaining and maintaining a California Pesticide Applicator license will be required. Conducting experiments under minimal supervision will be expected. | 50 |
| Field experimentation and equipment operation. The incumbent will ensure accurate measurement and data collection. The person will work with other scientists, postdoctoral students, graduate students, research associates, farmers, pest control advisors, farm advisors and other to complete research tasks. The incumbent will use various forms of chemigation equipment. The individual will assist in reaching compliance with regulations and health and safety guidelines. | 20 |
| Laboratory tasks. The incumbent will conduct nematology procedures including nematode extraction. The incumbent will adhere to the chemical hygiene plan, chemical inventory and hazardous waste disposal. The individual will contribute to providing standard operating procedures for large and small equipment. The person will maintain small and large equipment. | 20 |
| Data collection and management. Data collection and conversion to data sets for proper statistical analysis, and simple analysis of these sets will be required. Computer literacy is required for these tasks. | 10 |
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
| Knowledge/Skill/Ability | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Knowledge of experimental design, and the command of the requirements when generating publishable research data | Required |
| High levels of organizational and communication skills | Required |
| Knowledge of agricultural equipment | Preferred |
Special Requirements & Conditions
| Special Condition | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Valid Drivers License | Preferred |
| The position carries phases of unregular work schedules, and requires work during inclement weather conditions. The incumbent needs to be able and willing to work under adverse temperature conditions. | Required |
| Minimal capacity to repeatedly lift and carry >50 lbs of weight. | Preferred |
| Adaptability to various research scenarios and willingness to travel within the state are required | Required |
Other Special Requirements & Conditions
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Level of Supervision Received
| General Supervision |
Environment
Working Environment
| Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center (Parlier, CA) |
Other Requirements
Items Used
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Physical Requirements
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Mental Requirements
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Environmental Requirements
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Critical Position
| Is Critical Position: No |