Program Technician I Turfgrass Pathology and Management

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Closing Date:

10/22/2025

Type of Position:

ResearchersNo

Job Type:

RegularNo

Institution Name:

Division of Agriculture of the University of Arkansas

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is a state wide campus with faculty based on University campuses at Research and Extension Centers and in every Arkansas county. It consists of the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station (AES) and the Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service (CES) and is home to more than 1400 employees. The Division was established in 1959 and is headed by the Vice-President for Agriculture. The Division headquarters is located in Little Rock with the rest of the University of Arkansas System Administration. As an employer the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers a vibrant work environment and a workplace culture that promotes a healthy work-life balance.

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Department:

HORT Turfgrass Research 01

Summary of Job Duties:

of research trials: Field trials will be conducted at the University of Arkansas Milo J. Shult Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Fayetteville Arkansas and other sites throughout Arkansas. Responsibilities will include applying pesticide treatments seeding fertilizing watering and other general maintenance activities. Greenhouse/growth chamber trials will be conducted at the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville campus with emphasis on maintaining plants through watering pesticide and fertilizer applications and occasional plant trimming. Lab trials will be conducted at the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville campus with emphasis on culturing turfgrass pathogens extracting DNA and conducting PCR. (35%)

collection and management: Data associated with field trials will be collected regularly throughout the year with extended outdoor data collection during peak field season. Data collection includes taking measurements in the field such as weather data disease severity turf quality ball roll distance clipping weights drone imagery and tissue/nematode/soil sampling. Responsibilities also include entering data to digital formats taking plot photos and uploading all data and images to a shared folder for subsequent analysis in ARM or JMP software. (25%)

maintenance and assembly: Research backpack sprayers large-scale greens/fairway sprayers pumps irrigation controllers weed-eaters mowers and other equipment will require maintenance (e.g. cleaning oil change simple repairs). Greenhouse will require minor irrigation or lighting repairs on occasion. Technical instruments will require regular calibration battery replacement software updates and general troubleshooting. Hand-pump gas-operated and compressed CO2-operated backpack sprayers are used regularly to apply pesticide treatments. Boom assembly and sprayer calibration will be the responsibility of the new hire. (15%)

and inventory: Regular inventory such as disposable gloves spray bottles sprayer parts pesticides Petri dishes and other miscellaneous lab equipment will be maintained and restocked by this staff member. Purchasing and ordering should be done in advance and in a well-organized manner to maintain sufficient inventory of research supplies for upcoming and ongoing field trials. (15%)

duties: Includes but is not limited to reviewing writing and editing duties for research reports manuscripts abstracts posters and other forms of written and oral communication by the project leader or others working in the turfgrass pathology program. Assisting with supervision of undergraduate employees will be required and assistance with graduate student projects will also be required. Cooperation is expected with the research station staff campus and Extension faculty and stakeholders and other collaborators throughout the state of Arkansas and beyond. Preparing materials for lectures laboratories and various other responsibilities in assisting with teaching efforts will occur occasionally. (10%)

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

B.S. in turfgrass science/turfgrass management or closely related field.

Preferred Qualifications:

At least one year of experience managing high quality turfgrass for a golf course athletic field sod farm lawn care company or some other turfgrass system.

A certified pesticide applicator license is preferred. Leadership experience in a team setting is desirable. The ability to effectively communicate in both verbal and written form. The ability to repair irrigation and equipment failures. Strong grasp of common turfgrass pest problems and general turfgrass pest management strategies. Curious and creative personality to help formulate research ideas. Coursework or experience in plant pathology is preferred also. Experience with statistical analysis of research data is a bonus.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

Foundational understanding of equipment operation procedures for turfgrass maintenance (i.e. mowers rollers aerifiers sprayers etc.). Applicant must be well-organized highly motivated and team-oriented. Applicant must have a valid US drivers license be able to lift 50 lbs. and be able to walk long distances in field conditions. Additionally applicant must be able to work outside in turfgrass stands during sunny and hot conditions in summer as well as cold conditions in fall winter or spring. Applicant must be able to travel for research trials throughout Arkansas and the surrounding region regularly and the applicant will be required to travel for overnight trips periodically for research trials and scientific conferences. Applicant must be able to present research results to stakeholders throughout the state and region as well as to industry representatives.

Additional Information:

Commensurate with education and experience.Cover Letter/Letter of Application Curriculum Vitae List of three Professional References (name email business title) Unofficial/Official Transcript(s)

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Wendell Hutchens
Assistant Professor

All application materials must be uploaded to the University of Arkansas System Career Site

Please do not send to listed recruitment contact.

Pre-employment Screening Requirements:

Criminal Background Check Motor Vehicle Reports Check

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture may conduct pre-employment background checks on certain positions for applicants being considered for employment. The background checks may include a criminal background check and a sex offender registry check. Required checks are identified in the position listing. A criminal background check or arrest pending adjudication information alone shall not disqualify an applicant in the absences of a relationship to the requirements of the position. Background check information will be used in a consistent non-discriminatory manner consistent with the state and federal law.

The University of Arkansas is an equal opportunity institution. The University does not discriminate in its education programs or activities (including in admission and employment) on the basis of any category or status protected by law including age race color national origin disability religion protected veteran status military service genetic information sex sexual orientation or pregnancy. Questions or concerns about the application of Title IX which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex may be sent to the Universitys Title IX Coordinator and to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.

Persons must have proof of legal authority to work in the United States on the first day of employment.

All application information is subject to public disclosure under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.

Constant Physical Activity:

Climbing Crouching Driving Feeling Hearing Lifting Manipulate items with fingers including keyboarding Pushing Sharps

Frequent Physical Activity:

Grasping Kneeling Pulling Sitting Standing

Occasional Physical Activity:

N/A

Benefits Eligible:

Yes