Soil Health Sampling Specialist

SHI is recruiting Soil Health Sampling Specialists to assist with the soil health measurement program of our Climate-Smart Potatoes from the Pacific Northwest project. The Sampling Specialists will work for SHI as hourly employees for a minimum of 5 weeks, with possible extension based on satisfactory performance and sampling needs. Part-time hourly remote work will begin May 26, 2025, and full-time hourly work collecting soil samples in Idaho will begin June 2, 2025, with a tentative end date of July 7, 2025. Remote work both prior and post soil sampling may be conducted from the employee’s home office. Candidates in and around PNW are highly encouraged to apply, but candidates in other locations will be considered.  

Desired qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s or master’s degree in soil science, agronomy, natural resource management, or a related field. Candidates with a bachelor’s degree in one of these disciplines should have field-based experience to be considered.
• Knowledge of soil formation and soil-landscape relationships is highly desired (e.g., soil mapping or collegiate soil judging experience).
• Enthusiasm for meeting agricultural managers/farmers and to learn about soil landscapes and row crop management practices.
• Ability to be a good team player who thrives in a team environment, follows instructions, and asks questions if things are unclear.
• Ability to characterize basic soil morphology in the field.
• Understanding of agricultural management practices.
• Ability to lift and carry 35 lbs. through agricultural fields and dense vegetation.
• Ability to complete physically demanding work in adverse environmental conditions, including intense summer heat and humidity.
• Organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Continuous travel for 5 weeks to conduct soil sampling across Idaho, Oregon, and Washington, flying to and from the sampling region may be required depending on sampler’s home location.
• Assessing suitability of sampling locations regarding project sampling design (i.e., fit within priority soil health groups and management systems) using maps and in-field assessments.
• Recording and managing metadata on soil samples and site characteristics.
• Collecting soil samples for soil health analyses using slide hammers, core samplers, and push probes/augers.
• Communicating with land managers about timing of sampling and site access.
• Communicating with land managers about their field management practices and organizing the collected data into a clear, usable format for project deliverables.
• Shipping soil samples to laboratory for analysis.

Compensation: 

Sampling Specialists will be paid at a rate of $25.00 per hour, with overtime determined by local, state, and/or federal guidelines. Payments will be remitted biweekly. Work during soil sampling (June 2 -July 7, 2025) is estimated to average 50 hours per week, with a typical week of ten-hour workdays Monday through Friday. Periodic weekend work will be contingent on personnel availability, site accessibility, and weather conditions. Upon mutual agreement, the position end date may be extended to ensure the completion of sampling. 

The sampling team will be provided with a rental car for travel to and from sampling sites. Gas, lodging, and food consumed when traveling will be reimbursed by SHI. Soil sampling equipment, sampling consumables, and packaging and shipping costs will be covered by SHI.

Click here to see the job posting on SHI’s website.