OSU Student Farm Assistant Manager

Campus

OSU-Stillwater

Contact Name & Email

Justin Q. Moss, mossjq@okstate.edu

Work Schedule

Monday through Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm with occasional evenings and weekends.

Appointment Length

Regular Continuous/Until Further Notice

Hiring Range

$38,040 - $51,568 Salary

Special Instructions to Applicants

For full consideration, please include a resume, cover letter and contact information for three professional references.

About this Position

The Oklahoma State University Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture is seeking applicants for an OSU Student Farm Assistant Manager to assist with managing small university farm focused on vegetable production. The candidate will be responsible for assisting with day-to-day management of the OSU Student Farm vegetable production plots and land. Vegetable and fruit crop production, management, soil testing and interpretation, pest, insect, and disease scouting, fertilizer, chemical, and pesticide applications, tillage, cover crop management, starting and transplanting of crops, seeding of crops, irrigation, mulching, compost system management, and produce handling and safety. The candidate will along side of other the OSU Student Farm Managers and may assist with supervision of undergraduate student workers or interns. The position will report directly to the Department Head of the Horticulture and Landscape Architecture Department.

Key responsibilities include, but not limited to, the following:

• Aiding in the management of vegetable and fruit crop production.
• Conducting soil tests and interpreting results to guide cultivation practices.
• Scouting for pests, insects, and diseases to maintain crop health.
• Managing the application of fertilizers, chemicals, and pesticides, adhering to safety protocols to ensure the well-being of both the crops and workers.
• Performing tillage, managing cover crops, and overseeing the seeding, starting, and transplanting of crops.
• Overseeing setting up and maintaining irrigation systems.
• Applying mulch and managing the compost system to enhance soil fertility.
• Directs and provides training, education and guidance to maintenance staff and volunteers in the proper care and maintenance of the Student Farm.
• Directs and provides training, education and guidance to maintenance staff and volunteers in techniques and methods for the pruning, care, and management of the Student Farm.
• Provides for the evaluation and analysis of the student farm property and develops recommendations for modifications to improve the aesthetics of the property and best practices for economic efficiencies.
• Develops recommendations for routine and preventive maintenance of associated disease, growth management, and grounds maintenance and challenges.
• Maintains current knowledge of trends and developments in the vegetable and produce production industry for application to the Student Farm.

About Us:

We believe in the value of hands-on education and the importance of a well-rounded student experience. We are committed to our students’ personal growth and career opportunities. Check out the many resources available to our undergraduate and graduate students. For more information, visit: https://agriculture.okstate.edu/departments-programs/hla/

There are lots of great reasons to work at OSU, check out our great benefits and eligibility at https://hr.okstate.edu/prospective-ee.html

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Horticulture, Agronomy, Plant Science, Farm Management, Soil Science or related field.
  (degree must be conferred on or before agreed upon start date)

• Two or more years experience in vegetable crop production and management. The candidate must be able to work in a team environment.

• Certifications, Registrations, and/or Licenses:

  Valid OK driver’s license and Oklahoma pesticide applicator certification in category 1a and or 10 or ability to obtain within 90 days of hire.

• Skills, Proficiencies, and/or Knowledge:

  Cool-season and warm-season vegetable crop production and management. Horticulture knowledge, written communication skills, good interpersonal skills, supervisory skills and the ability to lift 50 pounds

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's in Horticulture, Agronomy, Plant Science, Farm Management, Soil Science or related field

• Five or more years of experience in vegetable crop production and management. The candidate must be able to work in a team environment.

• Certifications, Registrations, and/or Licenses:

  Valid OK driver’s license and Oklahoma pesticide applicator certification in category 1a and/or 10

• Skills, Proficiencies, and/or Knowledge:

  Cool-season and warm-season vegetable crop production in the southern United States, food handling and safety, compost system management.