Project Technician

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The Project Technician position will be part of a 5-year USDA-funded project focusing on promoting climate-smart and sustainable agriculture for expanding food production in New England through regionally adapted agroforestry systems (Project “ADAPT”). The project integrates research, education, and extension to (i) develop and test three agroforestry systems (silvopasture, polycultures, forest farming), (ii) promote agroforestry extension programs for landowners, professionals, and other interested communities (iii) build agroforestry knowledge and skills through diverse educational opportunities. Project results will contribute to developing environmentally and economically sustainable and resilient agriculture and forestry in New England.

The Project Technician will have primary responsibility for performing tasks and collecting data in the field and lab related to implementing and maintaining agroforestry experiments on university lands and cooperator farms. The successful candidate should have significant practical experience with biophysical data collection techniques as part of scientific field research related to agroforestry, forestry, and/or agricultural systems. The Project Technician should have strong leadership skills and the ability to coordinate and lead field crews of undergraduate and graduate students, hourly staff, and volunteers in implementing and maintaining experimental sites and collecting and managing data. The successful candidate will also have experience in supporting and training field assistants and graduate students in field activities. Additionally, the Project Technician may also support activities related to communication, such as maintaining the project website, facilitating publication of the quarterly newsletter, and supporting various extension, education, and outreach initiatives and events.

Duties/Responsibilities

Field Work (60%)

• Coordinate field crews establishing and maintaining agroforestry field trials (e.g., laying out experiments, planting trees, weeding, irrigation, etc).

• Lead and support field data collection activities (e.g., measuring plant height and diameter; assessing pest, pathogen, and herbivore impacts; collecting soil and plant samples).

• Occasional travel to participating universities and landowner cooperators to support agroforestry field experiments and on-farm trials.

Lab Work (20%)

• Maintain laboratory and field equipment (e.g., repairing minor damages, troubleshooting to ensure effective functioning, developing organizational systems for equipment).

• Conduct laboratory tasks (e.g., drying and weighing samples; preparing soil and plant samples for analysis, analyzing soil samples), and train lab assistants and graduate students in laboratory tasks as needed.

Administrative and Leadership (20%)

• Train and supervise undergraduate student field assistants, as needed.

• Support the Project Managers in activities related to data acquisition, management, and analysis.

• Support planning and execution of administrative tasks and event planning, as needed.

Minimum Acceptable Education & Experience:

• BS in agroforestry, forestry, agronomy, or a related field.

• Practical experience (1+ years) working with agriculture, agroforestry, and/or forestry.

Required Licenses & Certifications:

• Driver’s License

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Experience with laying out experimental plots, soil sampling, and vegetation surveys related to agroforestry research.

• Technical skills and leadership experience necessary to train and lead crews in field and laboratory activities related to establishment and monitoring of agroforestry experiments.

• Strong oral and written communication skills.

• Experience communicating agroforestry-related topics to diverse audiences.

• Ability to work well independently and as part of a larger team.

• Strong problem solving and creative thinking skills.

• Strong technical skills for maintaining and troubleshooting field and lab equipment.

• Strong organizational and time management skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Practical experience (2+ years) working with agriculture, agroforestry,