Technician I: Vegetable Field Research Technician

Socket.dev; New York (NY); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care options

Retirement contributions

Wellness programs

Employee discounts

Vacation and holidays

Job summary

The Cornell Vegetable Program seeks a Vegetable Field Research Technician (Technician I) based in Albion, NY. You will assist Extension Specialists on field trials across Western New York, performing scouting, data collection, and field maintenance in pesticide‑treated crops.

This full‑time on‑site role requires attention to detail, ability to lift up to 50 pounds, and comfort working outdoors. You will also educate growers and participate in outreach activities and data reporting using Excel

Qualifications

• High school diploma and at least one year of experience in an agricultural setting.
• Strong attention to detail, visual concentration, and manual dexterity.
• Possess excellent organizational experience.
• Ability to work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions.
• Willingness to work flexible hours incl. evenings/weekends as required.
• Experience using Windows, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical support to Extension Associates in conducting research projects for vegetable industry profitability and sustainability.
• Prepare materials for field research and assist with trial setup, crop planting, and plot maintenance.
• Scout commercial vegetable fields for pests, diseases, weeds, and abiotic injury; collect samples and document observations.
• Evaluate crop safety, quality, treatment efficacy, varieties, and crop damage in research plots and grower fields.
• Assist with crop harvesting, measuring, recording yields, and transporting samples for analysis.
• Set up and maintain pest monitoring traps and report findings.
• Enter and manage research data using Excel and other basic software; prepare data tables and presentations.
• Support outreach activities and educational programs in the region.

Skills

Attention to detail

Manual dexterity

Organizational skills

Data collection

Statistical data entry

Communication (written and oral)

Independent work

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate’s degree with vegetable production/entomology/plant pathology/weed science/horticulture/agronomy

Tools

Windows

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

PowerPoint

Job description

Technician I: Vegetable Field Research Technician

This position is located in Albion, New York and is not based on the Ithaca Main Campus.

The Opportunity

We are looking for someone who has an excellent work ethic, appreciates agriculture, and can work in commercial vegetable fields that have been sprayed with pesticides. As a Vegetable Field Research Technician (Technician I) with the Cornell Vegetable Program, you will assist Cornell’s top Extension Specialists in all aspects of field research projects conducted on working farms in the great outdoors throughout Western New York. Pesticides, varieties, and other crop management practices are vigorously tested to determine the best strategies for optimum weed, disease and insect pest control, crop quality and yield, which are also environmentally sound and cost-effective.

In addition, you will assist with educating New York vegetable growers on the latest research results and consequent crop management recommendations through diverse Extension and Outreach activities. Finally, you will keep your finger on the pulse of vegetable crop production through weekly crop scouting. Work may take place in pesticide-treated fields and requires adherence to Worker Protection Standards and other safety protocols. This position will feature muck‑onion production, one of the state’s most exciting highest value and most intensive vegetable production systems.

About

Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE)

Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) provides educational outreach as part of Cornell University’s role as New York State’s Land-Grant University. CCE connects Cornell’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and College of Human Ecology with 55 off-campus associations and various statewide programs and specialists. Through these partnerships, CCE delivers research-based education and resources to communities across New York State.

About The

Cornell Vegetable Program

The Cornell Vegetable Program (CVP) is a leading agricultural extension program serving a large multi-county region across Central and Western New York. Its Vegetable Specialists collaborate with Cornell faculty and extension educators to address challenges facing the vegetable industry. CVP provides research, education, and technical information to growers, processors, and agri‑business professionals to support the profitable production and marketing of safe, healthy vegetable crops. Its work contributes to the sustainability of farms and the economic well‑being of New York State.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide technical support to Extension Associates in conducting research projects that support the profitability and sustainability of the vegetable industry.

• Prepare materials for field research and assist with trial setup, crop planting, and plot maintenance.

• Scout commercial vegetable fields for pests, diseases, weeds, and abiotic injury; collect samples and relevant field information and document observations.

• Evaluate crop safety, quality, treatment efficacy, varieties, and crop damage in research plots and grower fields.

• Assist with crop harvesting, measuring, and recording yields, and transport samples to research or storage facilities for further analysis.

• Set up and maintain pest monitoring traps in grower fields and report findings to the trap network coordinator.

• Enter and manage research data using Excel and other basic statistical software; prepare data tables, charts, and presentation materials.

• Support Cornell Vegetable Program outreach activities and educational programs throughout the region.

What We Need

• High school diploma and at least one year of experience in an agricultural setting, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Strong attention to detail, visual concentration, and manual dexterity.

• Possess excellent organizational experience.

• Ability to work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions.

• Willingness and ability to work flexible hours, including occasional evenings and weekends, as job responsibilities require.

• Experience using current computer technology, including Windows, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

• Ability to work independently to collect, organize, and summarize data.

• Proven experience in communicating effectively, both written and oral.

• Ability to meet the travel requirements of the position, with reliable transportation and a valid, unrestricted New York State driver’s license, as well as clearance to drive for University business.

• Knowledge of prioritizing multiple activities and tasks while meeting established time frames.

• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.

• Ability to cultivate and maintain inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.

• Associate’s degree with coursework in vegetable production, entomology, plant pathology, weed science, horticulture, and/or agronomy.

• Experience assisting with research projects, including data collection, summarization, and statistical analysis.

• Experience working in agriculture and/or vegetable production.

This is a full-time position (39 hours per week) located in Albion, New York, and will be fully on-site five days per week. Core hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with the final schedule established in collaboration with the supervisor. This is a one-year appointment, with the possibility of extension based on available work, funding, and satisfactory performance. Overtime (more than 40 hours per week), including occasional evenings, is common from June through September.

Rewards and Benefits

• Cornell receives national recognition as an award‑winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, and sustainability.

• Our benefits programs include comprehensive health care options, generous retirement contributions, access to wellness programs, and employee discounts with local and national retail brands. We invite you to follow this link to get more information about our benefits: Understand Your Benefits | Working at Cornell.

• Our leave provisions include health and personal leave, three weeks of vacation and 13 holidays: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, and an end of the year winter