Scientific Assistant

Available Title(s):

1161-YN_ADMINPRO – Scientific Assistant

Business Title:

Scientific Assistant

Employee Type:

Admin. Professional (+) (Fixed Term)

Time Type:

Full time

Position Term:

12 Month

Position Details:

Summary of Duties:
The position will support research and extension activities pertaining to commercial vegetable production in the Columbia Basin of Washington State. Work is diverse and will consist of lab and field-based research. Field based research will take place outdoors and will involve exposure to the elements throughout the year as well as physical demands of planting, growing, and harvesting various crops. Projects will focus on improving pest management of vegetable crops including but not limited to potatoes, onions, sweet corn, carrot, beans, peas, pepper, lettuce, melons and sweet potato. A wide range of duties will need to be performed by the incumbent including but not limited to counting and identifying insects and weeds, data entry, data analysis, experiment set-up, preparing presentations, slide mounting and preserving specimens, shipping samples, procuring supplies, scheduling experiment activities, learning new experimental protocols and procedures, and operating field equipment as needed. The incumbent should have the ability to organize materials and thoughts, think critically and solve problems, and work well with others. Travel is necessary to remote locations and will require the individual to operate a motor vehicle.

Required Qualifications:

A Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate related scientific or engineering discipline and three (3) years of progressively responsible related professional research experience. Any combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis. A Master’s degree in an appropriate related scientific or engineering discipline may be substituted for up to one year of the required work experience.

• Must have, or be able to obtain, a valid unrestricted driver’s license at time of hire. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ability to obtain Washington State Department of Agriculture Pesticide License
• Ability to operate Agriculture Research Management Software Demonstrated Written and Oral Communication
• Knowledge of Insect Identification Ability to operate equipment
• Ability to Interpret Experimental Protocols

Additional Information:

Area/College: WSU Extension
Department Name: Ag & Natural Resources
City, State, Zip: Pasco, WA 99301

Department Link: https://anr.cw.wsu.edu/

Monthly Salary: $3,900.88 – $5,613.47

In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate’s current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position. Successful candidates typically begin up to mid-point of the salary range. For additional information, please review WSU’s Administrative Professional Compensation .  

WSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid sick and vacation leave; paid holidays; medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; deferred compensation and optional supplemental retirement accounts.

For a more detailed summary of benefits offered by WSU for AP staff visit: https://hrs.wsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2024-Benefit-Overview-for-Faculty-and-AP.pdf

Find total compensation information here: https://hrs.wsu.edu/managers/recruitment-toolkit/total-compensation/ .

FTE: 100%

Position Type: This is a temporary position.

Temporary End Date: This is a temporary position expected to end 1 year from date of hire. Renewal is dependent on the need for extension and/or if additional funding is secured to extend employment. Funding has been renewed successfully for several years and we expect funding to continue to be renewed.

Posting Close Date: Applicants must submit their completed application by Monday, January 22, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.

Screening Begin Date: 01/23/2024

Background Check: This position has been designated by the department to require a background check because it requires access to children or vulnerable adults as defined by RCW 74.34, engages in law enforcement, requires security clearance, interacts with WSU students in a counseling or advising capacity, has access to personal identifying and/or financial information, unsupervised access to university buildings/property, or other business-related need.  A background check will not be completed until an initial determination of qualification for employment has been made.

Application Instructions:

Applicants must upload the following required documents to their online application.

External candidates, please upload all documents in the “Resume/CV” section of your application. Internal candidates, please upload all documents in the “Resume/Cover Letter” section of your application. Documents may be submitted in one file or separate files. Applicants are encouraged to upload as a PDF if possible. Applicants will be requested to provide contact information for professional references within the online application. Application materials should clearly communicate how the applicant meets all required qualifications and additional requirements.

Required Documents:

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Once your application has been submitted, you will not be able to log back in and upload/ submit any additional documents. Please ensure all required documents are uploaded prior to submitting.

WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EDUCATOR AND EMPLOYER. Members of ethnic minorities, women, special disabled veterans, veterans of the Vietnam-era, recently separated veterans, and other protected veteran, persons of disability and/or persons age 40 and over are encouraged to apply.

WSU employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

WSU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resource Services: 509-335-4521 (v), Washington State TDD Relay Service: Voice Callers: 1-800-833-6384; TDD Callers: 1-800-833-6388, 509-335-1259(f), or [email protected] .