Careers at Virginia Tech

The mechanic position supports the Agricultural Farm Manager in the maintenance, repairs, and upkeep of agricultural machinery, fleet vehicles, buildings, and performs fieldwork that includes driving tractors, combines, planting, irrigation, and similar at the Virginia Tech Eastern Shore Agricultural Research and Extension Center (AREC) in Painter, VA. The Eastern Shore AREC is one of eleven off-campus units within the university’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. This 220-acre center has three resident faculty members, graduate students, post-docs, and technical support staff that conduct research for crops that are important economically to the Eastern Shore of Virginia including fresh market tomato, potato, snap bean, corn, wheat, and soybean, among others. The mechanic reports administratively to the Agricultural Farm Manager.

High school diploma or equivalent is required. The candidate must have knowledge regarding agricultural systems, farm or experiment station experience, or education in repair and maintenance of agricultural equipment and vehicles, or relevant experience in repairs and maintenance. The candidate should have a working knowledge of farming practices, grounds maintenance, and the ability to work outside in varying types of weather. The candidate must interact respectfully with diverse groups including faculty, graduate students, staff, and stakeholders. May carry and use a firearm as part of daily responsibilities for wildlife control (dependent on authorization from the VT Police department). Ability to obtain a Class A CDL and a category 10 (Demonstration and Research Pest control) commercial pesticide license within six months of hiring is required.

Formal Mechanical Repair degree from accredited university, an agricultural degree (AA, BS, or MS) in agronomy, horticulture or some other discipline, or extensive experience in these areas. Familiarity with maintenance of precision agriculture equipment, RTK, Autosteer, and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) is preferred.

3

Regular

$40,000 - $55,000; commensurate with experience.

May 27, 2024

Applicants are required to upload a cover letter for the position.

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including the Innovation Campus in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous Extension offices and research centers. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.