Careers at Virginia Tech

We are looking for wage personnel at Virginia Tech’s AHS Jr. Agricultural Research and Extension Center, located in Winchester, Virginia. Join the dynamic tree fruit pathology research team at Virginia Tech's AHS Jr. Agricultural Research and Extension Center as a wage personnel Agricultural Technician. This position role is critical in supporting high end research in plant pathology through hands-on field and laboratory work, focusing on the development and management of fruit tree pathogens in on-site research plots.

Key Responsibilities: Manage, oversee and collect data in fruit-tree research plots.
• Engage in rigorous fieldwork including selecting trees, flagging trees, counting diseased and healthy leaves and fruit, shoots flower clusters, and measure shoot blight, conduct fruit harvesting, creating plant pathogen inoculum and deploying it in the field.
• Analyze infected plant organs, collect raw data for each disease, create document findings in Excel and Word files.
• Prepare plant tissues for plant pathogen identification or detection analyses, fungicide assays in lab, including sample grinding with Geno grinder, and analysis with microtome, microscope and camera.
• Assist in a broad range of field and lab experiments.
• Ensure accurate and efficient data management, maintaining comprehensive records of all experimental activities (date, block, cultivar), online and in print.
• Collaborate with graduate students, field technician and other lab personnel on research initiatives. This position will not exceed 1,500 hours within the payment year.

• Direct or related experience in orchard/tree management, plant sciences, or biology as a wage personnel or similar capacity.
• Computer literacy, particularly with MS Word, Excel, email, and internet applications.
• A valid driver's license and access to personal transportation

Bachelor’s degree in plant sciences, biology, horticulture, microbiology or related field; practical experience in orchard and laboratory work is ideal.
• Experience in data management and supervision.

2

Non-Exempt: Eligible for overtime

Restricted

20-40; average of 29 hours a week not to exceed 1,500 hours in a year. 

April 15, 2025; open until filled.

In addition to completing the VT application, please provide resume/CV and references.

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.

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