Forages Field Technician

Clemson University; Blackville (SC); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Clemson University is seeking a Forages Field Technician to support a USDA-funded project based at the Edisto Research and Education Center in Blackville, SC. The role involves measuring soil greenhouse gas fluxes with a LICOR system, collecting forage and soil samples, and assisting multiple research efforts across South Carolina.

Ideal candidates are self-motivated, able to plan and communicate tasks, and willing to travel.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in animal husbandry, agriculture or a related field is required or substitutable by relevant experience.

Responsibilities

• Land preparation, planting, and harvesting crops for livestock feed; maintain fencing for research areas.
• Transport, setup and maintenance of the LICOR system; collect data and perform initial processing.
• Assist forage‑livestock projects including plot prep, grazing, cattle handling, mowing, and herbicide application.
• Conduct data collection, data entry, and processing; prepare forage and soil samples in the lab.
• Support workshops and educational activities; coordinate with supervisor, students and collaborators.

Education

Bachelor's degree in animal husbandry, agriculture or related field

Job description

Job Summary

In support of the USDA-funded project, Dr. Liliane Silva at Clemson University seeks highly motivated candidates for a Forages Field Technician position to work on a multi-disciplinary team that will evaluate forage-livestock systems through forage, soil and greenhouse gas data collection and sampling in South Carolina. The Field Technician will lead the measurement of soil greenhouse gas fluxes using an automated, multi-chamber, LICOR system, and smart-chambers. Additionally, the technician will support Silva's research and Extension program directly. The position is based out of the Edisto Research and Education Center in Blackville, SC, but involves frequent travel within South Carolina and interaction with producer collaborating in multiple research efforts. The ideal candidate will be self-motivated and eager to learn, adopt and implement techniques as needed; has ability to plan, manage, lead, and communicate tasks/results across groups; collect, analyze and interpret data; meet the deadlines as required by the supervisor and project (s); communicates clearly, is well organized, centered, has strong work ethics, dedicated; able to follow instructions as assigned and follow through on tasks. Some prior experience with flux measurement and data loggers is preferred, but not required since training will be provided.

Job Duties

• 10% - Land preparation, and assigned duties to plant, cultivate and harvest crops utilized as feed for livestock. Build, repair and provide maintenance for permanent or temporary electric fencing utilized on research areas for research projects. Performs routine health checks and monitors status, supports care, and handling of livestock under research projects under the forage-livestock systems program. Acquires the proper training and adheres to the established IACUC guidelines and requirements for the use of livestock in research projects to guarantee adequate work development and data collection. Thus, acquires training for pesticide application and any other required training as assigned by supervisor.
• 35% - Equipment data collection, use, transportation and maintenance: Transport of the LICOR system to farms at weekly intervals, assembly, basic troubleshooting, data collection, and initial data processing. Additionally, acquires proper training to utilize basic and specific forage research equipment and provides leadership to their utilization and adheres to the maintenance schedules and provide leadership on proper use, maintenance, transportation, storage, and guarantees the proper functioning of all equipment under the forage-livestock program. Transports equipment to off-site research locations when necessary to conduct research projects. Additional duties may be assigned.
• 35% - Assist and support forage-livestock research projects: Activities will include but are not limited to plot preparation, pasture planting, establishment and grazing, beef cattle handling, mowing, herbicide application, among others. Laboratory work, including collecting, weighing, grinding and processing forage and soil samples. Additionally, sample preparation for analysis, data entry, and collecting various samples such as forage, soil, manure and cattle weights. Support and assist the work conducted by the supervisor, graduate students and postdoctoral fellows at the research station and on-farm research sites.
• 10% - Support for data collection and educational activities: supports and collects data, data entry and processing responsibilities, as directed by project leader (s). Assist with the organization of workshops and educational activities. Provides proper communication with supervisor and others and works with supervisor, postdocs, graduate students and others who may be developing research under the forage-livestock systems program. Additional duties may be assigned.
• 10% - Facility and equipment routine cleanness and maintenance: repairs, clean shared spaces routinely and provides regular basic maintenance and proper organization to equipment (e.g., drill, harvester, etc), facilities (e.g., field lab, clean lab) and organization and storage of forage and soil samples. Organizes and maintain properly storage of seed and fertilizer, and shared spaces for sample processing. Oversees and communicates storage, maintenance, and product needs. Oversees and conduct routine checks of experimental area infrastructure (e.g., fencing). Additional duties may be assigned.

Job Code

LA25

Employee Type

Time-Limited (TLP) Staff

Minimum Requirements

A bachelor's degree in animal husbandry, agriculture or a related field and work experience that is directly related to the area of employment. Work experience that is directly related to the area of employment may be substituted for the bachelor's degree on a year-for-year basis.

Responsibilities

JOB KNOWLEDGE

Fundamental working knowledge of concepts, practices and procedures and ability to apply in varied situations.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Not responsible for supervising employees.

Budgetary Responsibilities

Fiscal Responsibilities: Fiscal responsibilities for the department's budget, including but not limited to, financial planning and managing fund allocation

Physical Requirements

Stand for Prolonged Period: % Move, transport, raise or lower 50 lbs or more: % Walk or move about: % Communicate, converse, give direction, express oneself: % Position self to accomplish task (i.e. stoop, kneel, crawl): % Use hands or feet to operate or handle machinery, equipment, etc.: % Sit (stationary position) for prolonged period: % Extends hands or arms in any direction: % Recognize or inspect visually: % Ascend or descend (i.e. stairs, ladder): % Perceive, observe, clarity of vision: % Move, transport, raise or lower 30lbs or less: %

Working Conditions

None: %

Work Schedule

Standard Hours:
37.5

Compensation Information

Expected Salary Range
Salary is dependent upon several factors including, but not limited to, a candidate's previous experience, knowledge, skills and performance in accordance with Clemson's compensation guidelines.

Essential Personnel Level

Normal Operations - Required to follow emergency facility closure and modified operations directives, and not normally expected to work on-site during emergency situations.

JOB LOCATION

Blackville, SC

Application Deadline

October 21, 2026

Military And Veteran

Military Equivalency: Clemson University is proud to allow educational equivalency for military technical certifications and trainings that directly relate to the job duties.

Veteran Preference

South Carolina provides employment preference to eligible veterans for qualifying full-time permanent positions. To be considered, applicants must meet the minimum qualifications, have been discharged under honorable conditions, and indicate their veteran status in the application by uploading a DD-214 for confidential review. A request for Veteran Preference can be made via the application process. Please contact [e-mail] with any questions or issues.

Closing Statement

Clemson University is an EEO/AA employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to characteristics protected by applicable law including disability and protected veteran status.