Utah Crop Improvement Association and Utah State University seek an individual to represent Utah Crop Improvement Association in Northern Utah and surrounding areas by assisting in and promoting the seed certification program and assisting seed farmers and conditioners in production of high-quality certified seed.

• Vehicle will be provided by employer but occasional use of personal vehicle may be needed (mileage reimbursed).
• A Flexible work schedule is needed with concentration of workload during planting, seed harvest, and seed processing seasons. Workload will average out to about 30 hours/ week annually (75% time).
• Major workload will be during the months of June, July, and August.
• Work hours and responsibilities can be highly variable to match the applicant’s schedule as a student or other employment or interests.

Location - Northern UT, Box Elder and Cache Counties and surrounding area.

Assist with work in Certified Seed Program for Utah.

Seed Certification – 75% of time

• Seed field and farm equipment inspection
• Inspect and accurately determine plant variety characteristics for genetic purity, and crop quality factors in certified seed production fields to meet certification standards.
• Applicant will need to identify each of the major crop kinds, rangeland plants, and weeds
• Inspect wildland seed collection sites and identify rangeland plants and yield potential.
• Assist seed producers and seed conditioners in producing certified seed lots to meet certification standards.
• Some travel throughout the Western United States will be needed.
• Maintain utahcrop.org website
• Some general office work related to seed certification and production reporting will be required.

Foundation Seed – 25 % of time

• Assist in foundation seed production, allocation and distribution
• Maintain, manage, and produce foundation seed from multiple sources including production on UAES farms
• Track, monitor, ship and invoice foundation seed distributions and inventory.

Minimum Qualifications:

This position will be hired at either the Research Technician II or III level based on qualifications and duties assigned. 

• Research Technician II
  • Two years of experience or an associate degree/vocational training.
• Research Technician III
  • Four years of experience; or an associate degree plus two years of experience; or a bachelor’s degree; or an equivalent combination of education plus experience.
    
• For all levels:
  • Experience in production agriculture, preferably small grains, alfalfa seed, grass seed, and other forb and shrub seed production.
  • Experience in farm machinery operation and repair, weed control, fertility, and crop irrigation for seed production.
  • Applicant will need to learn to identify and recognize differences in crop varieties, weeds, genetic off-types, and diseases that potentially contaminate seed crops.
  • Good personal and communication skills to work with, understand, and resolve concerns with farmers and other agriculturalists and seedsmen.
  • Applicant will also be expected to learn to correctly identify reclamation plants and seeds on wildland sites. Applicant must also be self-motivated and willing to work alone.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong farming background.
• College credits or a degree in an agricultural crop production with some experience or knowledge of Agronomy and/or rangeland science related fields.
• Some computer experience and personal communication skills are preferred and will be beneficial.

Along with the online application, please attach:

1. Resume/CV to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV"

2. Three professional references with contact information

3. Cover letter to be typed/pasted at the end of your application

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

Employees work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes.  The employee is regularly required to sit and often uses repetitive hand motions. The employee will perform general agricultural related labor including walking uneven terrain, climbing, and tolerating extreme weather conditions, dust, and pollen.

Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah’s premier land-grant and space-grant university, with a strong commitment to excellence, access, and inclusion. USU serves approximately 27,500 students throughout the state at three residential campuses, eight statewide campuses, and 23 education centers. USU Online has served students from all 50 states and 55 countries for over 25 years, and USU Extension provides outreach and service to all counties in Utah.  

As a land-grant university, USU engages communities and empowers people to lead successful lives of involvement, innovation, and impact. As an R1 research institution, USU provides a high-quality undergraduate and graduate education at an affordable price. Washington Monthly has consistently ranked USU in the top 10 among public universities for contribution to social mobility, research, and public service.  

Utah State is committed to cultivating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community where different perspectives, values, cultures, and identities are acknowledged, welcomed, and valued. We seek to recruit, hire, and retain people from all walks of life who will champion excellence in education, research, discovery, outreach, and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. Learn more about USU. 

The university provides a Dual Career Assistance Program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, contact the university’s ADA Coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at (435) 797-0122 or hr@usu.edu. 

About the Region

U.S. News and World Report ranked Utah first for its strong economy, fiscal stability, education, and health care. Outstanding outdoor recreational opportunities abound throughout the state, including five national parks, 43 state parks and recreation areas, and 15 alpine ski resorts. The home of USU’s main campus, Logan, is a city of 54,000-plus people in a picturesque mountain valley 80 miles north of Salt Lake City. The Logan metro area claimed the top spot in the Milken Institute’s 2022 ranking for best-performing small cities in the nation. 

*updated 7/2023

In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.

The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU’s non-discrimination policies:

Executive Director of the Office of Equity Matthew Pinner, discrimination@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 401, 435-797-1266

Title IX Coordinator Cody Carmichael, titleix@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 404, 435-797-1266

Mailing address: 5100 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322

For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit https://equity.usu.edu/, or contact:

U.S. Department of Education, Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 800-421-3481, OCR@ed.gov

*updated 09/2023