Biological Sciences Research Technician 2

OSU Oregon State University; United States; On-site; USD 25,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

Retirement benefits

Paid leave

Job summary

Oregon State University’s North Willamette Research and Extension Center in Aurora, Oregon, is seeking a Biological Sciences Research Technician 2 to provide technical and operational support for agricultural research and Extension programs. This on-site role involves assisting with research activities, maintaining plots and equipment, and supporting center operations.

The position requires experience with tractors and farm equipment, the ability to work outdoors in varying weather, and the

Qualifications

• Two years of college-level courses in Agriculture Science and one year of experience related to the area of assignment at the Biological Research Technician 1 level; OR an equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Experience with tractors and various farm equipment.
• Perform assigned tasks without close supervision.
• Capable of working outside and standing/walking for extended periods of time.
• Students who are under 18 years old are required to have passed a tractor safety certification class prior to operating a tractor.
• Attention to detail.
• This position is designated as a critical or security-sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a criminal history check and be determined to be position qualified as per University Standard: 05-010 et seq. Incumbents are required to self-report convictions and those in youth programs may have additional criminal history checks every 24 months.

Responsibilities

• Assists with research activities, maintaining research plots and equipment.
• Operates and repairs equipment; supports irrigation systems.
• Maintains safe and functional workspaces; coordinates supplies.
• Assists faculty, staff and seasonal employees with research and daily Center operations.

Skills

Tractor operation

Outdoor work

Attention to detail

Education

Two years college in Agriculture Science

Job description

Job Summary: This recruitment will be used to fill one full‑time Biological Sciences Research Technician 2 position for the North Willamette Research & Extension Center at Oregon State University. This position is located in Aurora, Oregon.

The Biological Sciences Research Technician 2 at OSU’s North Willamette Research and Extension Center (NWREC) provides technical and operational support for agricultural research and Extension programs. Responsibilities include assisting with research activities, maintaining research plots and equipment, and performing general facility, grounds, and building maintenance.

Duties may include operating and repairing equipment, supporting irrigation systems, maintaining safe and functional workspaces, coordinating supplies, and assisting faculty, staff, and seasonal employees with research and daily Center operations. This position helps ensure NWREC’s research facilities, grounds, and equipment are maintained to support effective research, education, and outreach activities.

Key Responsibilities

• Facility Maintenance
• Ground Maintenance
• Farm Equipment Maintenance
• Irrigation Maintenance
• Agriculture Research Support

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Two years of college‑level courses in Agriculture Science and one year of experience related to the area of assignment at the Biological Research Technician 1 level; OR an equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Experience with tractors and various farm equipment.
• Perform assigned tasks without close supervision.
• Capable of working outside and standing/walking for extended periods of time.
• Students who are under 18 years old are required to have passed a tractor safety certification class prior to operating a tractor.
• Attention to detail.
• Maintain a positive and collegiate attitude.
• This position is designated as a critical or security‑sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a criminal history check and be determined to be position qualified as per University Standard: 05‑010 et seq. Incumbents are required to self‑report convictions and those in youth programs may have additional criminal history checks every 24 months.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Basic understanding of construction.
• Irrigation troubleshooting, installation and repair.
• Ability to obtain Public Pesticide Applicators License.
• Experience with and using various pesticide and fertilizers.

Working Conditions/Schedule

Outdoor work is expected to be performed in all weather conditions. Perform assigned tasks without close supervision. Capable of working outside and standing/walking for extended periods of time. Ability to lift 25 lbs. 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, schedule will vary during the busy harvest season.

Salary Range

$18.06 - $26.20

Anticipated Start Date

2026‑11‑09

Equal Opportunity Statement

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability, protected veteran, and other protected status. OSU is a fair chance employer committed to inclusive hiring. We encourage applications from candidates who bring a wide range of lived experience including involvement with the justice system.

If this position has “critical or security‑sensitive” responsibilities and/or driving duties and you are selected as a finalist, your initial job offer will be contingent upon the results of a job‑related pre‑employment check (such as a background check, motor vehicle history check, sexual misconduct reference check, etc.). Background check results do not automatically disqualify a candidate. Take a look at our Background Checks website including the for candidates section for more details. If you have questions or concerns about the pre‑employment check, please contact OSU’s Employee and Labor Relations team at [e-mail].

Work Locations

Oregon State University has a statewide presence with campuses in Corvallis and Bend, the OSU Portland Center and the Hatfield Marine Science Center on the Pacific Coast in Newport.

Total Rewards Package

• Medical, Dental, Vision and Basic Life.
• OSU pays 95% of premiums for you and your eligible dependents.
• Free confidential mental health and emotional support services, and counseling resources.
• Retirement savings paid by the university.
• A generous paid leave package, including holidays, vacation and sick leave.
• Tuition reduction benefits for you or your qualifying dependents at OSU or the additional six Oregon Public Universities.
• Robust Work Life programs including Dual Career assistance resources, flexible work arrangements, a Family Resource Center, Affinity Groups and an Employee Assistance Program.
• Optional lifestyle benefits such as pet, accident, and critical care insurance, giving you peace of mind and the support you need to thrive in all aspects of your life.
• Future and current OSU employees can use the Benefits Calculator to learn more about the full value of the benefits provided at OSU.
• The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.
• At Oregon State University, no qualified person shall, solely by reason of disability, be denied access to, participation in, or the benefits of, any program or activity operated by the University.
• If requested, OSU will provide reasonable accommodation to applicants in order to provide access to the application, interviewing and selection process. You are not required to note the presence of a disability on your application to receive an accommodation. Please request any reasonable accommodations for disability as early as possible in the application and search process. Requests may be directed to the hiring unit, or to the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access at (541) 737‑3556.
• See Request an Accommodation Procedures for the OSU policy.
• Oregon State University, in compliance with state and federal laws and regulations, including TitleIX and its regulations, does not unlawfully discriminate and prohibits discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates, including in academic admissions and employment.
• The university prohibits unlawful discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin (including ancestry and ethnicity), citizenship, marital or family status, pregnancy or related conditions, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status / service in the uniformed service, or any other status protected by law or OSU policy.
• Inquiries about TitleIX may be referred to OSU’s TitleIX Coordinator, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (link to https://ocrcas.ed.gov/contact-ocr), or both.
• OSU’s TitleIX Coordinator is the Executive Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access (EOA).
• For information on OSU’s nondiscrimination policy and procedures, including how to report information about conduct that may constitute discrimination or make a complaint of sex discrimination under TitleIX, contact EOA by phone: 541‑737‑3556, email: [e-mail], mail/location: 330 Snell Hall, Corvallis OR 97331, or visit EOA’s website: eoa.oregonstate.edu.

Facts

• Top 1.4% university in the world
• More research funding than all public universities in Oregon combined
• 1 of 3 land, sea, space and sun grant universities in the U.S.
• 2 campuses, 11 colleges, 12 experiment stations, and Extension programs in all 36 counties
• 7 cultural resource centers that offer education, celebration and belonging for everyone
• 100+ undergraduate degree programs, 80+ graduate degrees plus hundreds of minor options and certificates
• 35k+ students including more than 2.3k international students and 10k students of color
• 217k+ alumni worldwide
• For more interesting facts about OSU visit: https://oregonstate.edu/about

Locations: Oregon State has a statewide presence with campuses in Corvallis and Bend, the OSU Portland Center and the Hatfield Marine Science Center on the Pacific Coast in Newport. Oregon State’s beautiful, historic and state‑of‑the‑art main campus is located in one of America’s best college towns. Corvallis is located close to the Pacific Ocean, the Cascade mountains and Oregon wine country. Nestled in the heart of the Willamette Valley, this beautiful city offers miles of mountain biking and hiking trails, a river perfect for boating or kayaking and an eclectic downtown featuring local cuisine, popular events and performances.

Oregon State University, in compliance with state and federal laws and regulations, ... (rest of the content under the non‑discrimination paragraph goes here, verbatim, omitted for brevity).