Job Title
Extension Assistant
Agency
Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Service
Department
Soil & Crop Sciences
Proposed Minimum Salary
Commensurate
Job Location
Weslaco, Texas
Job Type
Staff
Job Description
The Extension Assistant, under general supervision, performs programmatic and outreach responsibilities for the assigned extension program.
Responsible for field demonstration, establishment and maintenance of field experiments, data collection and data management including soil and crop samples, analysis and reporting of field and lab data. Good knowledge and skills in using spreadsheets such as Microsoft excel for data entry and management as well as knowledge and skills in using any statistical software for data analysis and reporting.
Responsibilities:
Job Responsibilities Field work (50%) • Mark and establish demonstration/experimental plots • Collect pre- and post-plant soil samples • Collect and process crop samples (biomass and yield) • Apply chemicals including fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides, etc. • Collect crop canopy data using crop sensors Data entry and management (30%) • Able to use Microsoft word for report writing • Use Microsoft excel for entering field data • Perform basic statistical analysis such means using any software • Maintain database of weather, soil, and crop data • Shipping and handling of samples • Maintain inventory of research equipment and supplies Lab work (20%) • Process soil samples; sort, dry, grind, etc • Process crop samples; dry grain or biomass samples, grind samples for lab analysis • Perform simple lab tests on soil samples including pH, electrical conductivity, bulk density, water content, etc.
-Assists with program and outreach efforts.
-Produces and or delivers presentations
-Assists in the initiation of applied research studies, collects, and processes data and generates reports.
-Other duties as required.
Required Education and Experience:
-Bachelor’s degree in any agriculture related fields including soil science, agronomy, agricultural or biosystems engineering, crop sciences, agroecology, or agricultural economics, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
-No prior experience required.
Preferred Education and Experience:
Relevant experience in agriculture research and field demonstration
At least 2 years of related agriculture experience
Required knowledge, skills and abilities:
Ability to work independently and collegially as part of a team of collaborators
Knowledge of word processing, database, presentation and spreadsheet applications.
Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others.
Strong interpersonal and organizational skills.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Ability to work outdoors in the field sometimes under high heat, especially during summer
Ability to work early in the morning to beat the summer heat
Able to drive a medium-sized state truck for field work
Ability to carry light to medium-sized weight of 50 pounds
Preferred knowledge, skills and abilities:
Skills in data entry, management, analysis and reporting
Field experimental methods including data collection, analysis, and interpretation.
All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.
Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer.
Top Skills
What We Do
Texas A&M University has a proud history that stretches back to 1876 when The Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas became the first public institution of higher learning in the state of Texas. Nestled in the heart of the Houston-Dallas-Austin triangle, Texas A&M University at College Station is the state's largest university, with nearly 65,000 students calling Aggieland home, and another 5,200 Aggies are studying at branch campuses in Galveston, Texas, and Doha, Qatar. Texas A&M's designation as a land-, sea-, and space-grant institution reflects the superior quality and diverse range of research and innovation occurring on campus daily.
Texas A&M boasts a strong military tradition, having contributed men and women in uniform to every armed conflict since the Spanish-American War. More Aggies commission as officers into the U.S. Armed Forces than any other school outside of the U.S. military academies every year. Student-athletes represent Texas A&M across 18 sports within the Southeastern Conference. Additionally, the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum is located on Texas A&M's campus, as is the President and First Lady’s final resting places.
Quick to offer a cheery "Howdy!" to any visitor, Aggies pride themselves on their hospitality and strive to live out the University's core values of respect, excellence, leadership, loyalty, integrity, and selfless service.
To learn more about employment opportunities at Texas A&M, visit https://jobs.tamu.edu
