Agriculture & Natural Resource Research Assistant - Fort Valley State University

Job Summary

The Agriculture & Natural Resource research assistant will assist with specific Cooperative Extension Program projects related to renewable energy (solar), forestry, and crop field observation/monitoring. Duties will include data collection, reporting and presentations. The candidate should have a background in agriculture and experience in public speaking and using software programming for data collection.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Use of GIS software programs to analyze crop/forestry land data to create maps and output.
• Use of Microsoft Office software to prepare reports and presentations.
• Operate the following equipment:
  • Digital DSLR camera
  • UAV drone basic operations
  • Drone processing software
  • AutoCAD software program
  • RTK GPS related units

• Maintains conference, workshops and event registration.
• Inspects and verifies completed projects meet FVSU quality standards.
• Assist with tours, field days and event reports and presentations on projects.
• Excellent communication and outreach efforts to the public and students.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Excellent customer service

• Knowledge of Adobe software and Microsoft Office software
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Ability to multitask
• Ability to work weekends on occasion and travel with overnight stays

Preferred:

• Three years of experience in data collection and land evaluation.
• Bachelor's degree required in Agriculture related field
• Completed course in Statistics

Working conditions

• Travel is required for the position- in state and out-of-state - occasionally
• Evening/night/weekend work - occasionally
• Working outdoors in various climates, hot and cold - occasionally
• Regular office environment, climate controlled

Physical requirements

The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. The employee must frequently stand or sit for extended periods and be physically mobile without assistance.

Start Date & Potential Salary

This is a full-time position. The candidate will have an effective start date of January 5, 2023, and a starting annual salary of $43,000.

Direct reports

This employee will report to Project Investigator/Leader for assignments.

USG Core Values Statement

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning, as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.