Careers @ MSU

Working/Functional Title

Sugarbeet Advancement Assistant

Position Summary

Michigan State University Extension is committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive organization, which requires all staff to contribute towards a vision for success. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are central to our work, regardless of title or position within the organization. This means that all staff at MSU Extension are dedicated to the following: 

• We work together to ensure that programming is delivered to diverse audiences, produces equitable impacts for all participants, and demonstrates partnership and inclusion for all groups.
• We embrace that it is everyone’s job to create a culture that promotes diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.
• We ensure that every team member is prepared with the skills and resources to contribute to our welcoming and inclusive culture.
• We foster inclusion by recognizing and valuing diverse perspectives, skills, experiences, and work to create equal access to programming for communities.
• We commit to continuous learning for diversity, equity, and cultural competency, in order to achieve inclusive excellence.
• We understand that diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential elements to our work and are vital to the organizational culture and programmatic success of MSU Extension.
• We embrace a culture of understanding, coaching and feedback towards achieving a vision of success for the entire organization and its staff.
• Together we will achieve success and we commit to these goals in our work, continued education, and ongoing efforts. 

POSITION SUMMARY

Assists in overseeing and coordinating laboratory and/or field operations, assists in planning and designing experiments, conducts experiments and summarize resultant data to participate in conducting research projects. The position is also expected to assist and support the outreach portion of Sugarbeet Advancement. 

As part of MSU Extension, the Agriculture and Agribusiness Institute (AABI), the assistant will work as part of the Sugarbeet Advancement Team to implement field research, monitoring, and inventory projects in cooperation with project principal investigators (PIs). The mission of Sugarbeet Advancement is to generate research and utilize education to enhance productivity and profitability of the Great Lakes sugar beet industry. This will be accomplished through a cooperative effort involving Michigan State University, Michigan Sugar Company, Producers and Agribusiness. The Sugarbeet Advancement Committee will be active in identifying research needs, conducting educational programming, and identifying promotional and financial support to accomplish established goals.  

In this position, the candidate will help identify agronomic research priorities and plan and coordinate research efforts. Design, oversee and conduct field scale sugarbeet research trials. Interpret and analyze data, produce research reports and develop educational materials. This position will oversee planting of field trials, at the field level, per design and protocol(s). In addition, the position will complete field evaluations to include collecting stand counts, disease counts, ratings, yield data and support data review and compilation during the trial period and year to year. The position will be operating agriculture equipment including but not limited to a John Deere Gator or similar equipment, Mechanical Front Wheel Drive (MFWD) tractor and dump cart. This work will take place in both Michigan and Canada, requiring travel between the US and Canada. A valid, unexpired enhanced driver's license or passport is necessary for this travel.

This position may be eligible to utilize a flexible work environment, however, there is an expectation to work from a MSU Extension County office. The needs, responsibilities, and opportunities of an individual’s position and office location drive the ability and amount of work-location flexibility.

This position will be housed at the Saginaw Valley Research and Extension Center, Frankenmuth MI. (Non-union position.)

This is a full-time, end-dated appointment, renewable annually based upon continued funding.

Characteristic Duties/Responsibilities

• Assists in coordinating research and laboratory and/or field operations in order to meet research goals.
• Performs experimental tests and assays and records and analyzes results to provide conclusive data for research projects.
• Consults with research supervisor to assist in planning and designing experiments.
• Compiles and summarizes results and participates in preparing reports, manuscripts, and articles for publication.
• Acts as a resource person to internal and external individuals regarding research projects and experiments.
• Performs all field work in order to run experiments.
• Oversees the compliance to laboratory and field safety regulations and procedures.
• Reviews the work of other research technicians and student employees.
• Oversees laboratory/field needs and orders materials, supplies, and equipment.
• Operates, calibrates, and maintains laboratory/field instruments and equipment to ensure proper functioning, accuracy, and compliance with written specifications.
• Researches literature to maintain current knowledge of field and laboratory research methods and terminology.
• Ability to travel to and from trialing locations in the Sugarbeet growing region of Michigan and Ontario, Canada.
• Develops and maintains positive working relationships intra- and inter-organizationally, including researchers, other partners, and stakeholders through collaborations and consultations and create and promote positive public relations for Sugarbeet Advancement, MSU Extension and the AABI.
• Understands and supports AABI’s efforts in diversity, equity, inclusion, and Civil Rights, with a special emphasis on removing barriers from reaching diverse populations, including but not limited to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, or veteran status, socio-economic class, and other human differences in rural, suburban and urban communities.
• Applies practices of diversity, equity, and inclusion when working with AABI staff and partner agencies to determine the appropriate products, frequency of updates, and distribution policies.
• Receives, interprets, and responds to information and data requests from a variety of sources.
• Actively participates in professional development opportunities.
• Performs other duties or projects as required.

Minimum Requirements

• Knowledge equivalent to that which would normally be acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in agronomy or related field.
• One to three years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in standard laboratory procedures and safety requirements.
• Or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Performing analytical and research techniques in an area related to research being performed; may require software specific to the area of research.
• The position may require special licensing or certification in the field related to the area of employment.
• Familiar with and able to operate farm equipment.
• Excellent knowledge of computers and specific applications (Excel) (PowerPoint)
• Transportation is the responsibility of the employee.
• Ability to travel in local and surrounding communities and long distances.
• One to three years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in field crop related research.
• Ability to lift and carry research materials and equipment, etc. up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to independently conduct long days of strenuous fieldwork under adverse conditions for prolonged periods of time throughout the State of Michigan and Canada.  This will include manually digging, lifting and loading Sugarbeet samples to transport to lab for analysis.
• Requires software specific to the area of research.
• Other skills and/or physical abilities required to perform duties of the position.
• This position requires or will require, prior to completion of the probationary period: knowledge of basic personal computer terminology and operations, and the ability to use e-mail and the Internet.

Desired Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in agronomy or related field.
• Familiarity with statistical data analyses and software.
• Proficiency in use of technology (e.g., web research, Microsoft Office Suite, including use of word processors and spreadsheets, Adobe products, email/calendaring, distance technology, etc.) for day-to-day work, record keeping, reporting, team-based communications, and overall management.
• Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication, and organizational skills.
• Possess or be able to attain a passport or enhanced driver’s license for travel to and from Canada.
• Have or be able to attain Commercial Restricted Use Pesticide (RUP) Applicator License
• Demonstrated drive and initiative, with proven ability to manage multiple responsibilities and tasks simultaneously.
• Self-motivated with the demonstrated ability to work independently and complete tasks in a deadline driven environment.
• Actively participate in a variety of professional development opportunities to retain existing skills, and ability to quickly learn new skills and procedures.
• Thoroughness and attention to detail.
• Ability to work effectively with multidisciplinary teams in an office or virtual environment, including the ability to serve in both leadership and contributory roles.
• Demonstrated success in program development and delivery to diverse audiences/communities, and proven ability in establishing and working with a diverse network of constituents and community members across race, color, gender, national origin, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, veteran status, socioeconomic class, and other differences.
• Ability to demonstrate sensitivity, knowledge, and use of appropriate approaches, skills, and techniques, which reflect an understanding and awareness of social, cultural, and economic diversity of the target population served.
• Prior experience performing work in support of external contract and/or grant requirements.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Application Materials

• Current resume/CV.
• Cover letter.
• Four (4) professional references including at least two (2) prior or current supervisors.

Work Hours

Generally 40 hours Monday through Friday, with some nights and weekends needed.

Description of End Date

This is an off-dated position funded for one year from date of hire, with possible extension contingent upon funding renewal.

Website

https://youtu.be/KjG34cLt9a8

Summary of Physical Demands

Mildly disagreeable working conditions involving working with chemicals in an environment with noise dust in farm field conditions. The job required moderate physical effort and involves standing and manual dexterity for planting, evaluating, sampling and harvesting Sugarbeet trials. This position requires driving as a regular part of the position during the field season, carrying research materials, and equipment, etc. up to 50 lbs.

Summary of Health Risks

Mildly disagreeable working conditions involving working with chemicals in an environment with noise dust in farm field conditions. The job required moderate physical effort and involves standing and manual dexterity for planting, evaluating, sampling and harvesting Sugarbeet trials. This position requires driving as a regular part of the position during the field season, carrying research materials, and equipment, etc. up to 50 lbs.