Agrivoltaics Lead

Position Title:

Agrivoltaics Lead

Job Group:

Professional & Scientific

Required Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree and 5 years of related experience

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience with agriculture or farming
Experience with community or regional planning
Event planning experience
Some experience with conservation practices, especially those applied to farmlands.
Familiarity renewable energy, especially solar, and its potential impacts on agriculture.

Job Description:

We are seeking an Agrivoltaics Lead to join a multi-disciplinary team at Iowa State University. This project focuses on growing crops under and between photovoltaic (PV) panels to quantify the benefits of agriculture to solar energy production. This position will organize and execute monthly leadership meetings and quarterly team meetings, collaborate with on- and off-campus partners to disseminate knowledge on agrivoltaics (AV) and ecovoltaics (EV), and promote the science and practical applications of these fields. A key aspect of this role involves maintaining weekly contact with Alliant Energy to ensure site access for research, teaching, and extension activities at the Alliant Energy Solar Farm at Iowa State University (ISU). Additionally, responsibilities include leading farmer and farmland owner engagement to facilitate implementation of AV and EV practices, and representing the ISU AV team at external stakeholder meetings.

As the Agrivoltaics Lead, you will have the unique opportunity to be part of one of the first utility-scale solar facilities to integrate multiple forms of agriculture. We are at the forefront of an exciting and emerging field that combines sustainable agriculture and renewable energy, and you will contribute to groundbreaking research and outreach with the goal of scaling these agrivoltaics successes to other solar farms and communities. Your work will directly impact the growth of sustainable food production and renewable energy practices, helping rural areas and farmers benefit from these innovative approaches. If you're passionate about sustainability and eager to shape the future of agriculture and energy, this role offers a rare chance to make a meaningful impact.

Part of your role will involve responding to inquiries for information, media contacts, or technical assistance that come through the AV project email. You will also act as the liaison between cooperating farmers, landowners, and ISU faculty, staff, and students. Additionally, you will assist with cataloging grant deliverables, reporting on grant progress, and providing support to students and postdoctoral researchers in field and laboratory activities related to the work at the Alliant Energy Solar farm @ ISU. You will also organize and execute field days at the solar farm, delivering presentations on AV, EV, and solar energy as needed.

This is position is not limited to office work and you will spend a significant amount of time in the field.

This is a term position with opportunity for renewal. The candidate will be hired as an Agricultural Specialist III.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an on-going basis without sponsorship. 

This position will be open until filled.

Level Guidelines
• Senior-level position possessing high-level professional and/or technical skills working independently under minimal supervision to support ISU’s mission and department or work unit goals
• Applies senior-level professional knowledge and expertise to work requiring greater latitude
• Solves moderately complex problems and regularly exercises judgment to determine appropriate action
• Regularly exercises judgment to resolve problems and determine appropriate action on a broad set of issue and problems. May provide recommendations regarding problems/issues outside the bounds of defined procedures and practices
• Responds to complicated inquiries, provides training, and provides direction to lower-level staff
• May provide supervision for one to two other staff (i.e., leads a small work team)
• May lead projects for which well-defined practices and procedures may not exist
• Provides guidance to students

Appointment Type:

Regular with Term Appointment (Fixed Term)

Proposed End Date or Length of Term:

January 2, 2026

Number of Months Employed Per Year:

12 Month Work Period

Time Type:

Full time

Pay Grade:

PS807

Application Instructions:

To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following: 1) Resume/Curriculum Vitae 2) Letter of Application