Job Summary
This recruitment will be used to fill one full-time Biological Sciences Research Technician 3 position for the Mid-Columbia Agricultural Research and Extension Center at Oregon State University (OSU). This position will be located in Hood River, Oregon.

The BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES RESEARCH TECHNICIAN 3 position, located at the Mid-Columbia Agricultural Research and Extension Center (MCAREC) in Hood River, Oregon, independently conducts agriculture research consistent with research project plans, and supports and maintains research equipment and facilities to support the mission of the experiment station and the College of Agricultural Sciences. Work performed includes establishing test procedures, conducting experiments, collecting data, analyzing and reporting results, and/or coordinating facility services for multiple researchers.

Work also includes maintenance of buildings, grounds, and other research facilities in coordination with the Director and Farm Manager.
Why OSU?
Working for Oregon State University is so much more than a job!

Oregon State University is a dynamic community of dreamers, doers, problem-solvers and change-makers. We don’t wait for challenges to present themselves — we seek them out and take them on. We welcome students, faculty and staff from every background and perspective into a community where everyone feels seen and heard. We have deep-rooted mindfulness for the natural world and all who depend on it, and together, we apply knowledge, tools and skills to build a better future for all.

FACTS:

• Top 1.4% university in the world
• More research funding than all public universities in Oregon combined
• 1 of 3 land, sea, space and sun grant universities in the U.S.
• 2 campuses, 11 colleges, 12 experiment stations, and Extension programs in all 36 counties
• 7 cultural resource centers that offer education, celebration and belonging for everyone
• 100+ undergraduate degree programs, 80+ graduate degrees plus hundreds of minor options and certificates
• 35k+ students including more than 2.3k international students and 10k students of color
• 217k+ alumni worldwide
• For more interesting facts about OSU visit: https://oregonstate.edu/about

Locations:

Oregon State has a statewide presence with campuses in Corvallis and Bend, the OSU Portland Center and the Hatfield Marine Science Center on the Pacific Coast in Newport.

Oregon State’s beautiful, historic and state-of-the-art main campus is located in one of America’s best college towns. Corvallis is located close to the Pacific Ocean, the Cascade mountains and Oregon wine country. Nestled in the heart of the Willamette Valley, this beautiful city offers miles of mountain biking and hiking trails, a river perfect for boating or kayaking and an eclectic downtown featuring local cuisine, popular events and performances.

Total Rewards Package:

Oregon State University offers a comprehensive benefits package with benefits eligible positions that is designed to meet the needs of employees and their families including:
• Medical, Dental, Vision and Basic Life. OSU pays 95% of premiums for you and your eligible dependents.
• Free confidential mental health and emotional support services, and counseling resources.
• Retirement savings paid by the university.
• A generous paid leave package, including holidays, vacation and sick leave.
• Tuition reduction benefits for you or your qualifying dependents at OSU or the additional six Oregon Public Universities.
• Robust Work Life programs including Dual Career assistance resources, flexible work arrangements, a Family Resource Center, Affinity Groups and an Employee Assistance Program.
• Optional lifestyle benefits such as pet, accident, and critical illness insurance, giving you peace of mind and the support you need to thrive in all aspects of your life.

Future and current OSU employees can use the Benefits Calculator to learn more about the full value of the benefits provided at OSU.
Key Responsibilities
50%
Research Experiments. Typical tasks: conducts appropriate technical operations consistent with research project plans and objectives or facility services; assists research project leaders in planning technical functions of research projects; develops and establishes test procedures; carries out experiments; obtains samples; collects and summarizes data; conducts initial statistical analysis of results; reports results (written and verbally) to research project leaders and adapts programs as needed; may (under the guidance of and in cooperation with project leaders) prepare and presents research materials and/or findings at professional meetings or to professional journals.
Research Project Operations. Typical tasks: manages project operations and facility services as research is being conducted; provides technical expertise in the proper physical care and maintenance of research plants, materials, or the support service organizations (e.g., greenhouses); observes and makes suggestions for
improvement in facilities, equipment, and procedures to support the technical aspects of research; collects data on trees, soil, vegetation, insect, and meteorological conditions; determines plot size, layout, and location on the farm (keeping in mind soil conditions) and prepares a map identifying all project locations; oversees, coordinates, and schedules the cultivating, soil preparation, planting, fertilizing, pesticide spraying, irrigating, harvesting, and cleaning of various experimental crops or other crops grown to be used in tree fruit research; assists researchers in designing the experimental plot to be used during the research trials; propagates, grows, and maintains plants and tree seedlings in greenhouses, growth chambers, and fields; collects insect specimens; initiates insect cultures and maintains cultures in greenhouses and growth chambers; makes taxonomic identification of insects; coordinates greenhouse operations to include the care and maintenance of plants, pesticide applications, and the control and maintenance of heating-venting-cooling systems.
Laboratory Work. Typical tasks: assists in planning details of experimental outlines and procedures; prepares scientific experiments by preparing samples and applying chemicals; performs tests; operates various laboratory equipment (i.e. gas chromatography, high pressure liquid chromatograph, spectrophotometer, and titralizers); performs analysis of data (i.e., technical summarization, statistical calculations); provides a written report of results.
Student Assistance. Typical tasks: assists project leaders in training students on technical research management techniques; provides directions to students on field and laboratory procedures as students perform research.
Miscellaneous. Typical tasks: directs lower-level technicians who assist in project support; leads and assigns work of five to ten seasonal or student workers, who harvest corps and collect data; instructs and trains subordinates in research techniques and data collection procedures; prepares orders for procurement of raw materials, supplies, and minor equipment; receives orders; keeps records; stores various supplies inventory; prepares orders for procurement; manages storage; attends conferences and prepares presentations; answers correspondence; acts as a public advisor in identifying causes of various plant problems and offering advice; assists research project leader in preparation of grant proposals.

50%
Equipment and Facility Management. Typical tasks: operates and maintains research equipment and facilities; prepares equipment specifications and obtains vendor bids for purchases; adapts, improves, designs, and/or fabricates specialized equipment to meet research needs; maintains buildings, grounds, fences, roads, and other research facilities; repairs greenhouse heating-venting-cooling controls and equipment; manages land not currently involved in research projects; repairs specialized laboratory and remote sensing equipment.
Must obtain pesticide applicator license within 90 days of hire
Maintain in-field irrigation systems
Work with Farm Manager to carry out pesticide and fertilizer applications on farm
Assist with fruit thinning, pruning, plot installations, and research harvests as needed 11. Miscellaneous tasks as assigned by Farm Manager
What We Require
A Bachelor’s degree in (specific area of biological science) and two years of experience related to the area of assignment at a Biological Science Research Technician 2 level. Three additional years of experience related to the area of assignment at the Biological Science Research Technician 2 level may be substituted for the Bachelor’s degree.

What You Will Need
A Bachelor’s degree in (specific area of biological science) and two years of experience related to the area of assignment at a Biological Science Research Technician 2 level.

Three additional years of experience related to the area of assignment at the Biological Science Research Technician 2 level may be substituted for the Bachelor’s degree.

Additional Required Qualifications:
A Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture or Environmental Science and two years of experience related to the area of assignment at a Biological Science Research Technician 2 level. Work experience must include farm management within diverse PCR, DNA extraction, and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

Must obtain pesticide applicator license within 90 days of hire.

This position is designated as a critical or security-sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a criminal history check and be determined to be position qualified as per University Standard: 05-010 et seq. Incumbents are required to self-report convictions and those in youth programs may have additional criminal history checks every 24 months.

This position requires driving a university vehicle or a personal vehicle on behalf of the university; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a motor vehicle history check, possess and maintain a current, valid driver’s license in their state of residence, be determined to be position qualified and self-report convictions as per University Policy 05-030.