Technical Project Specialist II

Iowa State University - College of Design; United States; On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Iowa State University’s Department of Agronomy seeks a Technical Project Specialist II to advance applied research in sustainable agroecosystems through on-farm trials. You will design, implement, and troubleshoot precision agriculture projects with farmers, faculty, and partners.

The role emphasizes data collection quality, stakeholder communication, and training of students, with a term appointment and potential renewal based on funding.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 2 years related experience.
• Legal authorization to work in the U.S. without sponsorship.
• Experience with precision agriculture preferred.

Responsibilities

• Design and coordinate on-farm research with faculty, farmers, industry partners, and stakeholders.
• Coordinate soil sampling, drone imagery collection, and precision agriculture activities.
• Provide technical resource for precision agriculture technologies and machinery.

Skills

Precision agriculture

Data collection

Field research

Stakeholder engagement

Training/mentoring

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Advanced degree preferred

Certified Crop Adviser

Tools

Drone imagery

Soil sampling tools

GIS data

Job description

Position Title: Technical Project Specialist II Job Group: Professional & Scientific Required Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree and 2 years of related experience

Job Description: The Department of Agronomy at Iowa State University is seeking a Technical Project Specialist II to support applied research in sustainable agroecosystems. This position will play a key role in designing and implementing on-farm research projects that connect agricultural research with real-world farming practices. Working with faculty, farmers, research partners, and other stakeholders, the Technical Project Specialist II will provide technical expertise in precision agriculture, agricultural machinery, soil sampling, drone imagery, and research data collection. The position will help translate research questions into practical field trials, troubleshoot technical challenges, ensure high-quality data collection, and communicate findings to farmers and other project partners. This is an opportunity to work at the intersection of agricultural research, precision technology, and on-farm application, contributing to research that supports sustainable and productive agricultural systems.

What You’ll Do

• Design and coordinate on-farm research projects in collaboration with faculty, farmers, industry partners, and other stakeholders, helping translate research questions into practical field trials.
• Coordinate and perform field research activities, including soil sampling, spatial data management, drone imagery collection, and other precision agriculture applications.
• Serve as a technical resource for precision agriculture technologies and agricultural machinery, developing protocols and advising project teams on their effective use in research.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for participating farmers, supporting trial design, implementation, communication, and resolution of technical or operational challenges.
• Develop and implement quality assurance and quality control processes to support accurate, reliable research data and successful project execution.
• Communicate research findings through reports, presentations, educational materials, peer-reviewed publications, and other communications for farmers, project partners, funders, and professional audiences.
• Provide training and direction to undergraduate employees, interns, and other staff supporting research projects, including assigning work and coordinating schedules.
• Build professional relationships and contribute technical expertise through research partnerships, professional organizations, external review activities, and other opportunities that advance the work of the research group.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with agricultural application systems, precision agriculture, agriculture equipment, agronomy, crop production, or related technology development.
• Experience with field trials, lab testing, and system benchmarking.
• Experience leading technical projects, research initiatives, farmer engagement, and cross-functional teams.
• Advanced degree in agronomy, or related field, or equivalent industry experience.
• Certified Crop Adviser
• Part 107 pilots license (drone)

This is term position that may have opportunity for renewal based on funding. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.

Appointment Details

Appointment Type: Regular with Term Appointment (Fixed Term)

Proposed End Date or Length of Term: January 31, 2029

Number of Months Employed Per Year: 12

Month Work Period Time Type: Full time

Pay Grade: PS810

Original Posting Date: October 6, 2026

Posting Close Date: October 13, 2026

Job Requisition Number: R20039

Why Choose Iowa State University?

• Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental, as well as:
• Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
• Generous vacation, holiday, and sick time and leave plans
• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)
• Life insurance and long-term disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Various voluntary benefits and discounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellbeing program

All offers of employment, oral and written, are contingent upon the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by federal and state law, ISU policies/procedures, and may include the completion of a background check and/or a consumer credit check.

Located just 30 minutes north of Des Moines, the city of Ames was recently named one of the Top 10 cities in the U.S. for campus life and career opportunities. Iowa State University is a welcoming community of students, faculty, and staff. Campus community members have a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and are committed to engaging with each other respectfully as outlined in the university’s Principles of Community.

Iowa State recognizes that diverse intellectual and philosophical perspectives are vital to innovation, critical thinking skills, and a dynamic academic community that fosters the land-grant ideals of putting science, technology, and human creativity to work.

Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. [phone], email [e-mail].

Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. [phone], email [e-mail].

Iowa State University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities.

Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should email [e-mail] or call [phone] or Toll-Free: [phone].

General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.

TTY users are welcome to use the Iowa Relay Service number by dialing 7-1-1 or [phone].