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Position Title:Ag Specialist II - Field Operations

Job Group:Professional & Scientific

Required Minimum Qualifications:Bachelor’s degree and 2 years of related experience

Preferred Qualifications:Pesticide applicator’s certification

Experience operating farm or plot-scale research equipment, including tractors, sprayers, planters, and utility vehicles

Experience working with research plots, including planting, maintenance, and harvest operations

On-farm crop production experience or hands-on agricultural experience

Job Description:

The Department of Agronomy in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Iowa State University seeks an Agricultural Specialist II – Field Operations to support research, demonstration, and teaching activities. This position is responsible for maintaining research and demonstration plots, operating and maintaining agricultural equipment, and supporting facilities and events at the Field Extension Education Laboratory (FEEL) Farm and associated research sites. The position works collaboratively with faculty, staff, students, and researchers to coordinate field activities and ensure work is completed in accordance with established protocols, safety procedures, and project timelines.

The successful candidate will contribute to efficient and accurate field operations while supporting a safe, organized, and well-maintained research environment.

Key responsibilities include:

+ Maintain research and demonstration plots according to established protocols, including planting, mowing, cultivation, fertilization, and harvest preparation

+ Operate tractors, mowers, sprayers, planters, utility vehicles, and other farm or plot-scale equipment

+ Assist with plot layout, measurement, labeling, documentation, and trial setup

+ Support weed, pest, and residue management

+ Perform routine inspections, preventative maintenance, and repairs on agricultural equipment, including mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and fuel systems

+ Maintain accurate maintenance records and ensure equipment meets safety and operating standards

+ Assist with snow removal, mowing, trimming, and general grounds maintenance

+ Support FEEL Farm events and field days, including setup, teardown, and cleanup of event spaces and equipment

Why Join Us

In this role, you will be a key part of the Field Extension Education Laboratory (FEEL), a 25-acre research and demonstration farm with more than 300 plots each year. You will be actively engaged with a variety of crops, trials, and field activities, with the freedom to manage plots, explore how the space is used, and shape the experience for researchers, students, and visitors. The position offers independence to run day-to-day operations and make the farm your own, supported by resources and collaboration when needed. If you enjoy variety, ownership, and seeing your work come to life, this role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a dynamic research farm.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.

This is a term position with opportunity for renewal.

Level Guidelines• Intermediate-level position with solid professional and/or technical skills working under general supervision to achieve goals• Applies broad, working knowledge of the principles of the field to moderately complex, difficult, and varied problems and issues• Exercises judgment within defined procedures and practices to determine appropriate action and resolve problems• Responds to a broad range of inquiries and requests• May provide training and/or direction to lower-level staff• May lead projects of moderate scope and complexity• Provides guidance to students

Appointment Type:Regular with Term Appointment (Fixed Term)

Proposed End Date or Length of Term:March 14, 2028

Number of Months Employed Per Year:12 Month Work Period

Time Type:Full time

Pay Grade:PS806

Application Instructions:

To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:1) Resume/Curriculum Vitae2) Letter of Application/Cover LetterIf you have questions regarding this application process, please email [email protected] or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.Why Choose ISU?Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental; as well as:• Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans• Generous vacation, holiday and sick time and leave plans• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)• Life insurance and long-term disability• Flexible Spending Accounts• Various voluntary benefits and discounts• Employee Assistance Program• Wellbeing program

Original Posting Date: January 12, 2026

Posting Close Date:January 25, 2026

Job Requisition Number:R18396

By focusing on the future and providing the best student experience possible, Iowa State University (http://www.iastate.edu/) attracts students and faculty who want to make a difference. With a comprehensive land-grant mission of education, research, extension and outreach, we produce scholars whose ideas change the world. And through Innovate at Iowa State, we provide innovative and entrepreneurial opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Located just 30 minutes north of Des Moines, the city of Ames was recently named one of the Top 10 cities in the U.S. for campus life and career opportunities.

Iowa State University is a welcoming community of students, faculty, and staff. Campus community members have a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and are committed to engaging with each other respectfully as outlined in the university's Principles of Community (https://www.iastate.edu/principles-community) . Iowa State recognizes that diverse intellectual and philosophical perspectives are vital to innovation, critical thinking skills, and a dynamic academic community that fosters the land-grant ideals of putting science, technology, and human creativity to work.

All offers of employment, oral and written, are contingent upon the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by federal and state law, ISU policies/procedures, and may include the completion of a background check and/or a consumer credit check.

Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email [email protected].

If you have questions about the application process please email [email protected] or call 515-294-4800 or Toll-Free at 1-877-477-7485. Iowa State University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should email [email protected] or call (515) 294-4800 or Toll-Free: (877) 477-7485. TTY users are welcome to use the Iowa Relay Service number by dialing 7-1-1 or (800) 735-2942.

General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources (https://www.hr.iastate.edu/careers/compensation) website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.