Sr. Research and Extension Asst Technology

TITLE: Senior Research and Extension Technology Assistant

DEPARTMENT: TBD

REPORTS TO: Principal Investigator

CLASSIFICATION: Staff-12 months

EFFECTIVE DATE: TBD

STANDARD WORK HOURS: 37.5 hours per week

EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Full-Time 

EMPLOYMENT CLASSIFICATION: Non-Exempt

JOB SUMMARY: 

The Sr. Research and Extension Technology Assistant will perform field and laboratory technology support roles in the Land-grant Research and Extension program at Kentucky State University. The successful candidate will assist in facilitating and demonstrating research and Extension programming on UAV-drone data in studying plant and soil health and best land use management practices.

This position assists in investigative research, laboratory research, and field experiments to measure indicators of soil health, water quality, and agroecosystems management and productivity to assess system sustainability and facilitate decisions on management practices; collect unmanned aircraft data for research projects; carry out laboratory processing and analyses of soil and water samples along with data processing. This position is involved in the implementation and maintenance of laboratory and field in collecting, entering, and performing statistical analysis of data, assisting in developing manuscripts for publication, and in training and supervision of farmers and undergraduate and high school students in the operation of UAV-Drones and processing of drone data. Experience in operating farm machinery (i.e., tractors, planters, cultivators, tine weeders, etc.) is preferred. Candidates with relevant credentials willing to learn farm machinery operation and organic production systems are encouraged to apply.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Collect, enter, and analyze unmanned aircraft data collected in the U.S. and overseas.
• Manage heavy equipment for site preparation and collection of soil and vegetation data.
• Acquire price quotes for purchasing equipment and instruments by working with vendors.
• Be able to collect, process, and use Lidar data.
• Manage an intensive grazing system with small ruminants incorporated into an integrated crop- livestock agroecosystems projects.
• Assist in the design and implementation of laboratory and field experiments.
• Operate, transport, and maintain heavy equipment for field data collection.
• Carry out daily farm operations, including planting, weeding, watering, harvesting, seed purchases, and organic record keeping when it is needed.
• Assist in developing manuscripts for publication.
• Train, supervise, and mentor research assistants, graduate, undergraduate, and high school students conducting research in the program.
• Conducting informational talks and tours at field days, small farms state and conferences and other professional meetings 
• Conduct both laboratory and field work including soil and water sample processing and analysis.
• Other related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Knowledge of farming in organic, natural, and/or sustainable systems. This includes, Honey Bees Plant grafting, small animal production, cold storage management.
• Ability to use a personal computer and related software applications for processing drone data.
• Good knowledge of university purchasing procedures and compliance
• Knowledge of research and educational capabilities of USDA and the Land Grant system knowledge base in the area of expertise.
• Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with stakeholders.
• Ability to work individually or in teams.
• Experience in a variety GIS processing programs
• Certification/training(conferences) to stay up to date on equipment related to job duties.
• Attended Kentucky Association of Mapping Professionals and presented as well for the last two years.
• Experience with DJI Terra, drone deploy and Pix4d to process data.
• Problem-solving skills in a variety of work-related situations in the office and in the field.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office programs including Outlook, Word, Excel, and Powe