Smart Farm Engineering Technician

Online applications must be received before 12:00am on:

February 17, 2025

If a date is not listed above, review the Applicant Instructions below for more details.

Available Title(s):

1379-YN_ADMINPRO - Instructional Tech Specialist

Business Title:

Smart Farm Engineering Technician

Employee Type:

Admin. Professional (+) (Fixed Term)

Position Details:

Summary of Duties:

Center for Precision and Automated Agricultural Systems (CPAAS)  and Washington State University (WSU) College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS) is seeking to hire a Smart Farm Engineering Technician. This position is responsible for establishing and maintaining digital infrastructures for an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enabled Smart Demo Farm testbed(s) and help with on-going research, and extension/outreach education to stakeholders.

Candidate will help equip and maintain the DEMO Farm with field sensors, imaging devices, drones, and field robots - all of which will be connected to a secure server (control center) at WSU CPAAS using a “ready-to-connect” interface for data collection, processing, and visualization. The position will also play a key role in supporting the research, educational and extension efforts. The incumbent will help graduate students and undergraduate student interns hands-on learning experiences at the farm with both AI and agricultural technologies and facilitate the field trips. This is three-year appointment pending annual performance review. 

Additional Information:

This is a full time (100% FTE), position. This position is overtime eligible.

Temporary End Date: This is a temporary position. Renewal is dependent on the need for extension and/or if additional funding is secured to extend employment.

Monthly Salary: $4,386.85 - $5,483.55 | Commensurate with experience and qualifications

In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate’s current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position.

Benefits: WSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid sick and vacation leave; paid holidays; medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; deferred compensation, optional supplemental retirement accounts; training and development; and employee tuition waiver. For additional information, please review the detailed Summary of Benefits offered by WSU for AP staff and Total Compensation.
 

Required Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree in instructional design, instructional technology, education, computer science or related field AND three (3) years of professional experience in instructional design and/or instructional technology such as audio/visual, learning management systems, multimedia, video production or IT resources. A Master’s degree in a related field may substitute for one (1) year of professional work experience. Any combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis.

• Experience working in an agricultural environment

• Proficiency with computer software and technical hardware utilization

• Data analysis experience

• Must have, or be able to obtain by time of hire, a valid driver’s license and meet requirements in accordance with SPPM 7.10 and departmental driving standards. 

• Flexible work hours to accommodate field research

• Ability to work in extreme outdoor temperatures in a variety of weather conditions

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or Master's Degree in relevant engineering or technology fields (e.g. Agricultural Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Biosystems Engineering, Agricultural Technology Management, Precision Agri