Soil Fertility Technician

Clemson University; Clemson (SC); On-site; USD 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Clemson University in South Carolina is seeking a Soil Fertility Technician to support the soil chemistry lab with assays, data analysis, and reporting. The role involves assisting students and staff, maintaining instruments, and helping organize field workshops.

Primary duties include field campaigns, data collection, and preparing biomass and soil samples for nutrient analyses. This is a full-time, time-limited position located in Blackville, SC with salary range 45k–55k depending on

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in related field.
• Experience with lab assays and data analysis is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Assist undergraduate and graduate students and field staff in tasks/activities.
• Maintain and calibrate instruments and equipment; keep work areas clean and safe.
• Assist in setting up extension/research workshops and field events.
• Assist in field campaigns and accurately collect, record and maintain data from experiments.
• Collect, process, and analyze soil, seed, and plant biomass samples for various nutrient analyses.

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related field

Job description

Soil Fertility Technician

Full Time

JR-10513

JOB SUMMARY

To assist in soil chemistry lab to run various lab assays. Conduct data analysis, prepare reports, write grant proposals and publications.

JOB DUTIES

• 10% - Assist undergraduate and graduate students and field staff in their tasks/activities.
• Other duties as deemed necessary to support Nutrient Management Program.
• 10% - Maintains and calibrates instrument and equipment to ensure that it is in good operating condition. Keeps work areas clean, safe, and productive. Assist in organizing, maintaining clean and field labs.
• 10% - Assist in the set up for extension/research workshops and meetings, field days, and other field events.
• 20% - Assist in field campaigns and accurately collect, record and maintain data from experiments. Establish, maintain, and harvest field plots. Take pictures and recording videos from the field plots.
• 50% - Collect, process, and analyze soil, seed, and plant biomass samples for various nutrient analyses. Additional soil health analyses will be carried on soil samples.

JOB CODE

ED60

EMPLOYEE TYPE

Time-Limited (TLP) Staff

Minimum Requirements

A bachelor's degree in a related field and work experience directly related to the assigned research area; or a high school diploma and advanced journey-level work experience in a clinical or research setting.

RESPONSIBILITIES

JOB KNOWLEDGE

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

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Acts as a Lead by guiding the work of others who perform essentially the same work.

BUDGETARY RESPONSIBILITIES

No fiscal responsibility for the department's budget.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Perceive, observe, clarity of vision: 5%
• Use taste or smell to detect or determine particular flavors or odors: 5%
• Extends hands or arms in any direction: 5%
• Move, transport, raise or lower 50 lbs or more: 5%
• Recognize or inspect visually: 5%
• Communicate, converse, give direction, express oneself: 5%
• Position self to accomplish task (i.e. stoop, kneel, crawl): 5%
• Ascend or descend (i.e. stairs, ladder): 5%
• Use hands or feet to operate or handle machinery, equipment, etc.: 10%
• Walk or move about: 5%
• Sit (stationary position) for prolonged period: 25%
• Stand for Prolonged Period: 35%

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Overnight travel: 5%
• Electrical hazards: 5%
• Chemical hazards: 5%
• Mechanical hazards: 5%
• Vibration: 5%
• Noise: 5%
• Wet and/or humid: 15%
• Exposure to dust/fumes: 10%
• Exposure to heat or cold: 50%

WORK SCHEDULE

Standard Hours:

37.5

COMPENSATION INFORMATION

Expected Salary Range

45000 - 55000

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

Essential Support - In the event of an emergency closure or modified operations, this position is necessary to maintain/resume essential support functions, deliver direct care services, and/or provide recovery support before normal operations resume. Some positions in this category may be required to work remotely or be on-call.

JOB LOCATION

Blackville, SC

APPLICATION DEADLINE

September 4, 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.