The Ohio State University
Research Farm Technician
Department: FAES | Research Operations Administration
Position Description Reporting to the Manager for Agricultural Research Stations, the research farm technician assists with the implementation of field experiments on vegetable crops at the CFAES Muck Crops Agricultural Research Station at Willard, Ohio.
Lays out field plots, performs tillage, planting, irrigation and weed control.
Operates, calibrates, adjusts, services and repairs farm machinery and specialized agricultural research equipment.
Applies agricultural chemicals, fertilizers, and experimental treatments according to project protocols.
Assists with greenhouse operations, reports observations of crop conditions and pest damage, and helps with collection of harvest yield data and preparation of vegetable samples.
Handles general operations, supply procurement, facilities, and grounds maintenance, maintains detailed field operations and treatment application records, and assists with logistics for field days and outreach events.
Performs similar duties at other CFAES research farms when requested, works flexible schedules according to weather, soil and crop conditions, and trains student or temporary staff related to field operations.
Responsibilities
55% Lays out field plots, performs tillage, planting, irrigation and weed control.
Operates, calibrates, adjusts, services and repairs farm machinery and specialized agricultural research equipment.
Applies agricultural chemicals, fertilizers, and experimental treatments according to project protocols.
Assists with greenhouse operations.
25% Reports observations of crop conditions and pest damage.
Assists with collection of harvest yield data and prepares vegetable samples.
Assists with general operations, supply procurement, facilities, and grounds maintenance.
Maintains detailed field operations and treatment application records.
20% Assists with logistics for field days and outreach events.
Performs similar duties at other CFAES research farms when requested.
May work flexible schedules according to weather, soil and crop conditions.
Trains student or temporary staff related to field operations.
Education High school diploma. Associate’s degree in agriculture or related field preferred.
Required Experience
Basic computer skills: email, MS Excel, Word.
Excellent communication and collaboration skills in a teamwork environment.
Ability to lift 50 pounds and perform physical tasks for extended periods.
Driver’s license.
One year experience with field crops or specialty crops production.
Possess or ability to obtain pesticide/fertilizer applicator license within 6 months of employment.
Desired Experience
Knowledge of field research methods.
Experience with farm machinery maintenance and repairs.
Two years' experience with field or specialty crops.
Salary Range USD 15.86 - 20.74 per hour.
Location and Working Hours Position located at Willard, Ohio. Regular position, scheduled hours 40 per week. Shift: First Shift.
Benefits This job profile is a Farm Coordinator 2 (T2 level) on the career roadmap.
Final candidates are subject to successful completion of a background check. A drug screen or physical may be required during the post-offer process.
Application Information Accepting applications until midnight on November 5th, 2025.
Equal Opportunity Employer Statement The university is an equal opportunity employer, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. As required by Ohio Revised Code section 3345.0216, Ohio State will: educate students by means of free, open and rigorous intellectual inquiry to seek the truth; equip students with the opportunity to develop intellectual skills to reach their own, informed conclusions; not require, favor, disfavor or prohibit speech or lawful assembly; create a community dedicated to an ethic of civil and free inquiry, which respects the autonomy of each member, supports individual capacities for growth and tolerates differences in opinion; treat all faculty, staff and students as individuals, hold them to equal standards and provide equality of opportunity with regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.
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Position Description Reporting to the Manager for Agricultural Research Stations, the research farm technician assists with the implementation of field experiments on vegetable crops at the CFAES Muck Crops Agricultural Research Station at Willard, Ohio.
Lays out field plots, performs tillage, planting, irrigation and weed control.
Operates, calibrates, adjusts, services and repairs farm machinery and specialized agricultural research equipment.
Applies agricultural chemicals, fertilizers, and experimental treatments according to project protocols.
Assists with greenhouse operations, reports observations of crop conditions and pest damage, and helps with collection of harvest yield data and preparation of vegetable samples.
Handles general operations, supply procurement, facilities, and grounds maintenance, maintains detailed field operations and treatment application records, and assists with logistics for field days and outreach events.
Performs similar duties at other CFAES research farms when requested, works flexible schedules according to weather, soil and crop conditions, and trains student or temporary staff related to field operations.
Responsibilities
55% Lays out field plots, performs tillage, planting, irrigation and weed control.
Operates, calibrates, adjusts, services and repairs farm machinery and specialized agricultural research equipment.
Applies agricultural chemicals, fertilizers, and experimental treatments according to project protocols.
Assists with greenhouse operations.
25% Reports observations of crop conditions and pest damage.
Assists with collection of harvest yield data and prepares vegetable samples.
Assists with general operations, supply procurement, facilities, and grounds maintenance.
Maintains detailed field operations and treatment application records.
20% Assists with logistics for field days and outreach events.
Performs similar duties at other CFAES research farms when requested.
May work flexible schedules according to weather, soil and crop conditions.
Trains student or temporary staff related to field operations.
Education High school diploma. Associate’s degree in agriculture or related field preferred.
Required Experience
Basic computer skills: email, MS Excel, Word.
Excellent communication and collaboration skills in a teamwork environment.
Ability to lift 50 pounds and perform physical tasks for extended periods.
Driver’s license.
One year experience with field crops or specialty crops production.
Possess or ability to obtain pesticide/fertilizer applicator license within 6 months of employment.
Desired Experience
Knowledge of field research methods.
Experience with farm machinery maintenance and repairs.
Two years' experience with field or specialty crops.
Salary Range USD 15.86 - 20.74 per hour.
Location and Working Hours Position located at Willard, Ohio. Regular position, scheduled hours 40 per week. Shift: First Shift.
Benefits This job profile is a Farm Coordinator 2 (T2 level) on the career roadmap.
Final candidates are subject to successful completion of a background check. A drug screen or physical may be required during the post-offer process.
Application Information Accepting applications until midnight on November 5th, 2025.
Equal Opportunity Employer Statement The university is an equal opportunity employer, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. As required by Ohio Revised Code section 3345.0216, Ohio State will: educate students by means of free, open and rigorous intellectual inquiry to seek the truth; equip students with the opportunity to develop intellectual skills to reach their own, informed conclusions; not require, favor, disfavor or prohibit speech or lawful assembly; create a community dedicated to an ethic of civil and free inquiry, which respects the autonomy of each member, supports individual capacities for growth and tolerates differences in opinion; treat all faculty, staff and students as individuals, hold them to equal standards and provide equality of opportunity with regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.
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