Position Function:
This position will conduct all the field operations involved in Plant Pathology research on cotton, corn, wheat, and soybeans. These include but are not limited to planting, weed and insect control, fertilization, fungicide spraying, harvesting, and summarization of data. We have guidance systems on our tractors and automatic weighing systems on our combines and cotton pickers which the person in this position will have to operate.
Salary Grade: 10
Please see Staff Compensation Structure or Skilled Crafts and Service Maintenance Compensation Schedule for salary ranges. For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.
Anticipated Appointment Date:
May 2025.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Preparation of fields for planting. This involves disking and rowing up research plots. Application of fertilizers, application of burn down and pre-emergence herbicides. An adjunct to this is to obtain and treat the seed needed for our research.
2. Planting of research plots. We use cone planters to plant our soybean, corn, and cotton plots. The planter has an automatic tripping system and is equipped with a Global Positioning Unit which has to be calibrated etc. Wheat is planted with a conventional planter.
3. Weed control. This involves the timely application of herbicides to control weeds in the plots. Our plots have Round Up resistant pigweed and ryegrass. The person in this position has to be familiar with current weed control methods available. This also involves mechanical methods of weed control such as tillage, mowing etc. of alleys etc.
4. Layout of plots. Plots are measured used a tractor equipped with a GPS unit. Alleys between plots are identified with this unit and are cut with a bush hog.
5. Irrigation of plots. Plots will have to be irrigated as needed. This will involve the laying of poly pipe or the use of a lateral move irrigation system. This person will have to know how to operate the lateral move system etc. Irrigation timing is critical and water will have to be applied as needed.
6. Foliar fungicide applications. Fungicides are sprayed with a cabbage patch or hi-boy tractor using three gallon stainless steel beverage containers. The person in this position must know how to calibrate the sprayer to deliver 15 or 20 gallons per acre. The correct amount of fungicide must be determined for each plot. The fungicides must be applied at the correct growth stage of the crop with the correct nozzle tips.
7. Harvesting corn and soybeans. Corn and soybeans are harvested with a combine equipped with a weighting system. The person in this position must know how to operate the weighting system and how to download the data to a computer.
8. Picking cotton. We have a two row cotton picker equipped with a weighing system which the operator will have to know how to operate. Due to the delicate nature of this machine, this person will be the only one allowed to operate the picker. The person will not only harvest Plant Pathology plots but will also harvest cotton plots for several other scientists at the station. The data collected from the plots will have to be downloaded and summarized.
Minimum Qualifications:
Education: High school diploma
Experience (yrs.): Six months of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified AND six months of general experience.
Certifications and/or Licensures:
1. Valid driver’s license.
2. Must obtain a Certified Pesticide Applicators Certificate within 90 days of employment or complete the worker/handler training, whichever is applicable.
Substitution allowed:
An equivalent combination of related education and related experience may be considered for this position.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
1. Ability to work in extreme weather conditions.
2. Good communications skills.
3. Knowledge of farm equipment.
Working Conditions and Physical Effort
1. Work in extreme weather conditions.
2. Requires heavy physical work; heavy lifting, pushing, or pulling required of objects up to 50 pounds.
Instructions for Applying:
Link to apply: http://explore.msujobs.msstate.edu/
Apply through the Page Up Portal online (MSU website)
Screening Date:
April 29, 2025, until filled.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Discrimination is prohibited in university employment, programs or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status to the extent protected by applicable law. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of Civil Rights Compliance, 231 Famous Maroon Band Street, P.O. 6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762, (662) 325-5839.
What do I do if I need an accommodation?
In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu.
If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.
