Beer and Wine Production Specialist

Position Title:

Beer and Wine Production Specialist

Job Group:

Professional & Scientific

Required Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree

Special Required Qualifications

Drivers License

Preferred Qualifications:

Familiarity with both wine and beer production (professionally or as a hobby)
Demonstrated experience in maintenance of wine and beer production equipment
Record keeping and reporting for alcohol production and inventory of materials

Job Description:

The Midwest Grape and Wine Industry Institute (MGWII) at Iowa State University is seeking a Beer and Wine Production Specialist to support winemaking and brewing activities at the university. Reporting directly to the Director of MGWII, the Beer and Wine Production Specialist will be responsible for the production of wine and beer for both research and commercial purposes. This role includes managing the inventory and ordering of all necessary ingredients and packaging materials, as well as preparing detailed reports on production activities. Additionally, the position involves retail activities such as transporting products to various customers, selling directly to consumers, and assisting in the preparation of invoices.

The Beer and Wine Production Specialist will also play a key role in supporting MGWII’s core mission of outreach and education by supporting workshops and the development of educational materials for the wine, beer, and related industries.

This position offers a unique and exciting opportunity to engage in innovative research and develop new products from the ground up. With the dynamic craft beverage industry in Iowa, this role allows you to explore emerging frontiers, such as the development of gluten-free brewing. The variety of responsibilities keeps the work interesting and fresh, and the possibilities are vast as MGWII continues to explore new areas. The Beer and Wine Production Specialist will be at the forefront of groundbreaking research and innovation in the wine and brewing industries. With the industry thriving and expanding, we are well-positioned to capitalize on growth opportunities and play a key role in enhancing Iowa’s agricultural and economic vitality.

Example of Duties:

• Support of research and outreach in wine and beer production

• Maintenance of production equipment and production facilities for both wine and beer

• Training of students and staff on use of equipment and production techniques

• Preparation, set-up, participation in and clean-up of MGWII workshops and other events

• Alcohol record keeping and document control

• Procurement and inventory of ingredients and required materials

• Production of wine and beer for sale (50 percent wine, 50 percent beer)

• Distribution of alcohol products for sale

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

This is a term position with opportunity for renewal.

The selected candidate will be hired under the Technical Project Specialist I job profile.

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Level Guidelines
• Individual contributor position with developing professional and/or technical skills working under immediate to general supervision
• Grasps professional-level knowledge and concepts of field while working in a progressive learning mode
• Works on problems and issues of somewhat limited scope
• Follows standard practices and procedures in analyzing situations or data for which answers are available or can be obtained
• Responds to inquiries and issues, escalating to manager or higher level workers as appropriate
• May lead projects of limited scope and complexity
• May provide guidance to students

Appointment Type:

Regular with Term Appointment (Fixed Term)

Proposed End Date or Length of Term:

June 30, 2025

Number of Months Employed Per Year:

12 Month Work Period

Time Type:

Full time

Pay Grade:

PS808

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/Cover Letter

If you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.

Why Choose ISU?

Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-