What are the responsibilities and job description for the AVRC Research Associate I or II position at CSU Spur?
Posting Details
Posting Detail Information
Working Title AVRC Research Associate I or II Position Location Rocky Ford, CO Work Location Position is fully in-office/in-person Research Professional Position Yes Posting Number 202500283AP Position Type Admin Professional/ Research Professional Classification Title Research Associate I Number of Vacancies Work Hours/Week 40 Proposed Annual Salary Range $48,000 - $62,000 plus comprehensive benefits. Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications. Employee Benefits
Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.
The Arkansas Valley Research Center (AVRC) was established in 1888 as the Bent Agricultural Experiment Station and is the oldest continuously operated agricultural experiment station, outside of Fort Collins, in Colorado. The Center was established to serve the research needs of the irrigated farming area of southeast Colorado known as the Arkansas Valley, extending from Pueblo County on the west to the Kansas border. It also includes irrigated areas associated with the tributaries to the Arkansas River in El Paso, Huerfano and Las Animas counties. Agricultural production includes livestock and field and vegetable crops. Alfalfa, corn, dry beans, small grains, sorghum, onions, melons, tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers are representative of crops grown under irrigation. In 2019, a new shared facility was opened to create the Arkansas Valley Campus. The Campus is the shared home of the AVRC, Otero County and the Southeast Area Extension office, the Rocky Ford Vet Diagnostic Lab, and CSU Office of Engagement. These campus partners represent a partnership to serve the needs of the people of southeastern Colorado. The AVRC is part of a network of 9 research centers (10 sites) throughout the state.
Position Summary
This position oversees the operation of the large and small weighing lysimeters. These activities include the management of lysimeter-generated data, crop management on the lysimeters, and maintenance and calibration of electronic sensors and crop monitoring systems. The position coordinates and assists the establishment, irrigation, and harvest of numerous crops on the lysimeters.
The position oversees other weather-related activities and instrumentation at the AVRC.
The position will work directly with researchers and the farm operations manager to assist in the general field operations (planting, irrigation, harvest, etc.) at the AVRC as it pertains to research plots and other fields.
The position will assist with physical management and upkeep of the AVRC facilities (building and adjacent grounds). The position will instruct, oversee, and manage the daily activities of summer hourly workers as it pertains to facilities upkeep.
The position will have a time commitment and overall job responsibilities that will be approximately split 1/3 Lysimeter, and 1/3 AVRC facilities and programs, 1/3 research support.
A signing bonus of up to $1,000 may be considered for successful candidates.
Required Job Qualifications
Job Duty Category Operations Duty/Responsibility
Application Details
Special Instructions to Applicants
This position will remain open until filled. For full consideration, please apply by Sunday, March 16th, 2025, 11:59pm (MT). Interested applicants must submit a cover letter which addresses how professional experiences align with identified required and preferred qualifications of the position, a current resume, and the names, e-mail addresses, and telephone numbers of three (3) professional references. References will not be contacted without prior notification of candidates.
If you have questions, please contact Kevin.Tanabe@Colostate.edu or Jeffery.Davidson@Colostate.edu.
CSU is committed to full inclusion of qualified individuals. If you are needing assistance or accommodations with the search process, please reach out to the listed search contact.
Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.
Conditions of Employment Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires), Valid Driver’s License - Must have a valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain a driver’s license or access to a licensed driver by the employment start date. Search Contact Jeffery Davidson, Jeffery.Davidson@ColoState.edu EEO
Colorado State University (CSU) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
Background Check Policy Statement
Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.
References Requested
References Requested
Minimum Requested 3 Maximum Requested 3
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
Posting Detail Information
Working Title AVRC Research Associate I or II Position Location Rocky Ford, CO Work Location Position is fully in-office/in-person Research Professional Position Yes Posting Number 202500283AP Position Type Admin Professional/ Research Professional Classification Title Research Associate I Number of Vacancies Work Hours/Week 40 Proposed Annual Salary Range $48,000 - $62,000 plus comprehensive benefits. Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications. Employee Benefits
Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.
- Review our detailed benefits information here.
- Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here.
- For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator.
- Lastly, click here for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in!
The Arkansas Valley Research Center (AVRC) was established in 1888 as the Bent Agricultural Experiment Station and is the oldest continuously operated agricultural experiment station, outside of Fort Collins, in Colorado. The Center was established to serve the research needs of the irrigated farming area of southeast Colorado known as the Arkansas Valley, extending from Pueblo County on the west to the Kansas border. It also includes irrigated areas associated with the tributaries to the Arkansas River in El Paso, Huerfano and Las Animas counties. Agricultural production includes livestock and field and vegetable crops. Alfalfa, corn, dry beans, small grains, sorghum, onions, melons, tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers are representative of crops grown under irrigation. In 2019, a new shared facility was opened to create the Arkansas Valley Campus. The Campus is the shared home of the AVRC, Otero County and the Southeast Area Extension office, the Rocky Ford Vet Diagnostic Lab, and CSU Office of Engagement. These campus partners represent a partnership to serve the needs of the people of southeastern Colorado. The AVRC is part of a network of 9 research centers (10 sites) throughout the state.
Position Summary
This position oversees the operation of the large and small weighing lysimeters. These activities include the management of lysimeter-generated data, crop management on the lysimeters, and maintenance and calibration of electronic sensors and crop monitoring systems. The position coordinates and assists the establishment, irrigation, and harvest of numerous crops on the lysimeters.
The position oversees other weather-related activities and instrumentation at the AVRC.
The position will work directly with researchers and the farm operations manager to assist in the general field operations (planting, irrigation, harvest, etc.) at the AVRC as it pertains to research plots and other fields.
The position will assist with physical management and upkeep of the AVRC facilities (building and adjacent grounds). The position will instruct, oversee, and manage the daily activities of summer hourly workers as it pertains to facilities upkeep.
The position will have a time commitment and overall job responsibilities that will be approximately split 1/3 Lysimeter, and 1/3 AVRC facilities and programs, 1/3 research support.
A signing bonus of up to $1,000 may be considered for successful candidates.
Required Job Qualifications
- RAI:
- Bachelor’s degree, OR Associate’s degree with two years of relevant experience, OR High School Diploma (or GED) plus four years of relevant, specialized training/experience in a position similar to this one.
- RAII:
- Bachelors degree and more than 3 years of relevant professional experience or a recent Masters degree and no other significant professional experience could be appointed upon joining CSU.
- Additional experience:
- Experience with research and data collection instrumentation, data loggers, or similar technologies
- Willingness to acquire and maintain CSU radiation safety training and certification to operate a neutron soil moisture meter
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Attention to detail in data collection, quality control, and documentation
- Ability to meet the physical demands of this position which includes occasional heavy lifting (up to 50 lbs.), manual dexterity, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching and handling
- Demonstrated computer skills (e.g. MS Office Suite) and ability to utilize data analysis software.
- Must have a valid driver’s license or ability to obtain a valid driver’s license or access to a licensed driver by the employment start date
- Educational degree(s) major or emphasis in agricultural science or closely related field.
- Experience in or working knowledge of agricultural cropping systems
- Experience or demonstrated interest in supporting basic and applied research
- Experience in or basic knowledge of facility maintenance and upkeep
Job Duty Category Operations Duty/Responsibility
- Assists with facility- related activities such as, maintenance, supplies, and equipment for the on-going physical upkeep of the Arkansas Valley Campus.
- This includes painting, plumbing, landscaping, and activities related to heating and cooling.
- These projects are coordinated with the AVRC manager, CSU Facilities, CSU Extension, research associates, on-site hourly workers, technicians, and hired contractors.
- Addresses operational and maintenance needs of AVRC-based weighing lysimeters.
- This includes changing and monitoring electronic sensors, installing equipment, and tabulating and storing data.
- This also includes the physical upkeep and crop maintenance around the weather stations and lysimeters.
- Assist with field instrumentation needs of AVRC and campus-based researchers.
- Supports technical activities of AVRC and campus-based researchers.
- This includes data collection, record keeping, harvest, irrigation, and other crop maintenance activities.
- All of the aforementioned activities are carried out to support the AVRC’s comprehensive research program.
- This position has supervisory authority and determines work directives for hourly workers.
- This position ensures that hourly workers are adequately trained for assigned tasks and provides them with supplies and equipment needed to complete assigned tasks.
Application Details
Special Instructions to Applicants
This position will remain open until filled. For full consideration, please apply by Sunday, March 16th, 2025, 11:59pm (MT). Interested applicants must submit a cover letter which addresses how professional experiences align with identified required and preferred qualifications of the position, a current resume, and the names, e-mail addresses, and telephone numbers of three (3) professional references. References will not be contacted without prior notification of candidates.
If you have questions, please contact Kevin.Tanabe@Colostate.edu or Jeffery.Davidson@Colostate.edu.
CSU is committed to full inclusion of qualified individuals. If you are needing assistance or accommodations with the search process, please reach out to the listed search contact.
Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.
Conditions of Employment Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires), Valid Driver’s License - Must have a valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain a driver’s license or access to a licensed driver by the employment start date. Search Contact Jeffery Davidson, Jeffery.Davidson@ColoState.edu EEO
Colorado State University (CSU) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
Background Check Policy Statement
Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.
References Requested
References Requested
Minimum Requested 3 Maximum Requested 3
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
- Cover Letter
- Resume
Salary : $48,000 - $62,000
