Soil Health Sampling Specialist

The Soil Health Institute (SHI), is a non-profit organization created to safeguard and enhance the vitality and productivity of soil through scientific research and advancement. The Institute brings together leaders in soil health science and the industry to conduct research and empower farmers and landowners with the knowledge to successfully adopt regenerative soil health systems that contribute economic and environmental benefits to agriculture and society. SHI has a dynamic team of scientists and educators working together to assess and promote soil health practices on U.S. farms, and we need help with soil sampling, recording management data, and implementing our strategy to assess soil health.

SHI is recruiting two or more Soil Health Sampling Specialists to assist with soil health sampling for the Southern Piedmont Climate-Smart Project. The Sampling Specialists will work for SHI as hourly employees for six weeks, with possible extension based on satisfactory performance and sampling needs. Full-time hourly work collecting soil samples on a team with experienced SHI soil scientists in VA, NC, SC, GA, and AL will begin in October 2024. Remote orientation and training the days prior to soil sampling may be conducted from the employee’s home office. Candidates in and around those states are highly encouraged to apply, but candidates in other locations will be considered.

Required qualifications

• Ability to lift and carry 35 lbs. through agricultural fields.
• Ability to complete physically demanding work for extended periods in adverse environmental conditions, including frosty autumn mornings, heat, and humidity.
• Organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Authorization to work for any employer in the United States.
• Enthusiasm for meeting agricultural managers/farmers and learning about soil landscapes and vegetable management practices.
• Flexibility and capability to solve problems on the fly.
• Ability to be a good team player who works cooperatively, follows instructions, and asks questions if things are unclear.

Desired

• Education: Experience in soil science, agronomy, natural resource management, or a related field.
• Knowledge of soil formation and soil-landscape relationships (e.g., soil mapping or collegiate soil judging experience).
• Understanding of agricultural management practices.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to

• Continuous travel for six weeks by driving and flying within the Southern Piedmont to conduct soil sampling.
• Confirming suitability of sampling locations regarding project sampling design 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.
• Meeting with farmers and their advisers during site visits.

• Shipping soil samples to laboratories for analysis.

Compensation

Sampling Specialists will be paid at a rate of $30.00 per hour, with overtime determined by local, state, and/or federal guidelines. Payments will be remitted biweekly. Work during soil sampling (mid-October-November) 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.

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