Field Equipment Specialist for Agronomic Research

Iowa State University; Nashua (IA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Iowa State University’s Northeast Research Farm in Nashua, Iowa, is seeking an Agricultural Specialist II to support agronomic research and farm operations. This hands-on position will operate and maintain tractors and other farm machinery, support field research activities, troubleshoot agricultural systems, and help maintain farm facilities and infrastructure.

The successful candidate will work closely with faculty, researchers, staff, students, and external partners to support safe and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture or related field.
• Experience with farm research work or agronomic research plots.
• Experience operating, repairing, and maintaining farm machinery used to conduct research on field plots.
• Experience collecting, recording, and summarizing research data.
• Experience observing, diagnosing, and providing remedies to crops.
• Pesticide Applicator’s Certification.

Responsibilities

• Operate, maintain, troubleshoot, repair, and modify agricultural and research equipment, including tractors, tillage, planting, spraying, fertilization, and harvest equipment.
• Diagnose and address mechanical, hydraulic, electrical, electronic, GPS, and other equipment and farm system issues; coordinate repairs with vendors and service providers as needed.
• Support agronomic research projects by operating equipment and performing field activities including planting, spraying, soil sampling, crop scouting, harvesting, and data collection.
• Coordinate maintenance of farm facilities and infrastructure, including drainage systems, wetlands, bioreactors, buildings, water systems, and grounds.
• Maintain accurate equipment, farm operation, and research records and support research data collection and quality assurance.
• Provide technical guidance to staff, students, faculty, and equipment users involved in research and farm operations.
• Support field days, educational programs, stakeholder events, and Northeast Research Farm association activities.
• Coordinate scheduling, setup, and routine upkeep of the Borlaug Learning Center.
• Transport harvested grain to local elevators and perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

Skills

Equipment operation

Field research

Data collection

Crop diagnostics

Pesticide knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture or related field

Job description

Iowa State University’s Northeast Research Farm in Nashua, Iowa, is seeking an Agricultural Specialist II to support agronomic research and farm operations. This hands-on position will operate and maintain tractors and other farm machinery, support field research activities, troubleshoot agricultural systems, and help maintain farm facilities and infrastructure.

The successful candidate will work closely with faculty, researchers, staff, students, and external partners to support safe and