Research Farm Spec 2

Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College; Village of Cambridge (NY); On-site; USD 24,000 - 43,000; Full time

Job summary

LSU AgCenter's H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station seeks a Research Farm Specialist 2 to assist with agricultural research in a controlled farm environment. The role requires experience in farming or farm management and some agricultural coursework.

The position involves operating farm equipment, laying out plots, collecting data, and reporting findings. The job is not remote and pays an hourly wage with a base scale, with stated minimum and maximum hourly rates.

Qualifications

• Two years of experience in research farming or in farm management.
• Twelve semester hours in an agricultural field.

Responsibilities

• Operates and adjusts tractors, tillage implements, mowers, and other equipment used to prepare and maintain research fields.
• Performs tillage, seedbed preparation, land leveling, drainage maintenance, mowing, harvesting and other required field operations.
• Assists with laying out and establishing research plots with field observations, measurements, sampling, harvesting, and data collection.
• Observes and reports field, crop, and equipment conditions that may affect research results.
• Performs routine equipment inspections, adjustments, preventative maintenance, and minor repairs.

Skills

Farming experience

Field data collection

Equipment operation

Education

Agricultural studies coursework

Rice farming knowledge

Job description

RESEARCH FARM SPECIALIST 2

WS210 $35,734 - $64,314

Creation Date: 06/29/1987

Change Date: 01/01/2025

FUNCTION OF WORK

To assist with agricultural research in an experimental farm environment.

LEVEL OF WORK

Experienced

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

General from professional researchers or other higher level personnel.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

None.

JOB DISTINCTIONS

Differs from Research Farm Specialist 1 by requirements for observing, evaluating, and reporting conditions in a research environment. Differs from Research Farm Supervisor by lack of supervisory responsibilities.

CORE COMPETENCIES

CORE COMPETENCIES HAVE NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED BY STATE CIVIL SERVICE FOR THIS JOB TITLE. MORE INFORMATION ON THE SCS COMPETENCY MODEL CAN BE FOUND HERE.

EXAMPLES OF WORK

• Discusses research projects with professional researches to devise methods and provide technical farming expertise.
• Lays out research plots, labels treatments for animals or plants, and collects data.
• Handles complex aspects of animal care, such as delivery when complications arise, treatment of unusual health problems, assisting with experimental breeding techniques.
• Conducts basic laboratory tests on samples.
• Calculates proportions and application rates of chemicals and assists with complex applications of experimental chemicals and treatment.
• Calibrates and precisely adjusts complex equipment.
• Collects and assembles data from research plots and experimental animals.
• Performs comparable farming tasks in other agricultural research areas such as forestry, aquaculture, agricultural engineering, etc.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Two years of experience in research farming or in farm management; OR
• Three years of experience in farming; OR
• Twelve semester hours in an agricultural field.

Additional Job Description

Competencies: None

Special Instructions

Location: H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station, Rayne, LA

Minimum Requirements: Two years of experience in research farming or in farm management. For more information and substitutions contact www.civilservice.louisiana.gov or the AgCenter HRM office.

Job Duties Operates and adjusts tractors, tillage implements, mowers, land-leveling equipment, ditchers, combines, and other agricultural equipment used to prepare and maintain research fields. Performs tillage, seedbed preparation, land leveling, drainage maintenance, mowing, harvesting, and other required field operations. (50%) Assists with harvesting and cleaning foundation rice seed, including operation and cleaning of grain bins and seed cleaning equipment. (20%) Works with research and farm personnel to prepare and maintain research areas. Observes and reports field, crop, and equipment conditions that may effect research activities or results. Performs routine equipment inspections, adjustments, preventative maintenance, and minor repairs. (15%) Assists with laying out and establishing research plots with field observations, measurements, sampling, harvesting, and research data collection. (15%) Other duties as assigned. (5%)

Pay Scale: Minimum - $17.18/hour; 1st Quartile - $20.62/hour; Midpoint - $24.05/hour; 3rd Quartile - $27.49/hour; Maximum - $30.92/hour.

Position is not eligible for remote employment.

Application Deadline: 11/10/2026 or until suitable candidate is identified.

The LSU Agricultural Center is a statewide campus of the LSU System and provides equal opportunities in programs and employment. An Equal Opportunity Employer.

Background Check - An offer of employment is contingent on a satisfactory pre-employment background check.

Benefits - The LSU AgCenter ha