Non-Exempt Temporary or Casual

This is a temporary/casual position. The individual hired into this position will be appointed into either a temporary (67 days or less in a calendar year) or casual appointment (14 hours or less a week).

Please note this posting is hiring multiple appointments. A cover letter is optional if you would like to identify the position you are interested in. If not identified, you will be considered for all positions.

Summer Horticulture Field Assistant
Monday - Friday
7:30 am - 4:00 pm
Starting salary: $15.00/hour with increases for each returning year

College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences: Southern Research & Outreach Center, Waseca, MN

Overview

The Southern Research and Outreach Center, Waseca, MN performs field research with horticulture every summer. In 2025, crops will include onions, broccoli, peas, sweet corn, carrots, tomatoes, pak choi, cauliflower, potatoes, kohlrabi, Chinese cabbage, snap beans, watermelon, various squash, pumpkins, and green peppers.

Responsibilities

Horticulture Field Support (100%)

• Research plot measuring and staking.
• Research plot planting.
• Research plot maintenance (scouting, weeding, watering, training plots, maintaining irrigation.)
• Experimental treatments of plants and plot research (applying fertilizer, thinning plants, applying shade, pollinating.)
• Data collection (timing of flowering, disease and relative vigor ratings, plant density and canopy measurements.)
• Harvest (hand-harvest of vegetables from plots, yield measurements (weights and counts), pea and sweet corn processing, quality measurements and ratings (physiological disorders, size, shape.))
• Data entry.

Summer Grounds and Maintenance
Monday - Friday
7:30 am - 4:00 pm
Starting salary: $16.00-$18.00/hour with increases for each returning
College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences Southern Research & Outreach Center, Waseca, MN

Overview
Seasonal employment at the Southern Research and Outreach Center, Waseca, MN, will maintain and improve the appearance of the grounds, buildings, and equipment.

Grounds and Maintenance Support (100%)

• Operating large frame lawnmowers and trimmers.
• Daily maintenance of equipment.
• Landscaping, pruning, and mulching.
• Painting, cleaning, and minor repairs to buildings.
• General field work.
• Cleaning and detailing of vehicles and equipment.
• Aid in research projects.
• Assist with educational field events.

Summer Crop and Soil Science Technician
Monday- Friday
7:30 am - 4:00 pm
Starting salary: $15.00/hour with increases for each returning year.

College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences Southern Research & Outreach Center, Waseca, MN

Overview

This position will be a part of the nutrient management research and education team at the Southern Research and Outreach Center, Waseca, MN. Nutrient management is conducted primarily in corn and soybean and addresses fertilizer and manure management, cropping systems, and nutrient loss in tile drainage water. This information contributes to nutrient best management practices for southern Minnesota. Specific areas of interest include nitrogen management for corn, agronomic evaluation of phosphorus, potassium and sulfur fertilization, evaluation of new fertilizer products {enhanced efficiency fertilizers), and cover crop interactions with cropping systems.

Responsibilities

Soil Science Support (100%)

• Assist with field research projects conducted at Waseca and other locations in southern Minnesota.
• Participate in the application of fertilizers, manure, and other products.
• Collect plant, soil, and water samples.
• Measuring and recording plant growth (both physical and with remote sensing tools.)
• General field work and plot maintenance.
• Evaluation of plots and sample processing.
• Assisting with educational events.

Summer Agronomy Plot Technician
Monday - Friday
7:30 am - 4:00 pm
Starting salary: $15.00/hour with increases for each returning year.

College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences Southern Research & Outreach Center, Waseca, MN

Overview

The successful applicant will assist researchers and staff with field projects being conducted at the Southern Research and Outreach Center in Waseca and other locations in southern Minnesota. Project duties include collecting plant, soil, and water samples; measuring and recording plant growth (both physically and with remote sensing tools); general field work and plot maintenance; evaluation of plots; tabulating data; sample preparation for lab analysis; and assisting with educational field events

Responsibilities

Agronomic Field Support (100%)

• Assist in care of experimental plots under the direction of SROC researchers.
• Participate in plot layout, tillage, preparation for planting, and planting as required for experiments.
• Assist in care of experimental plots by fertilizing, weeding, hoeing, staking, sampling, and measuring plant characteristics. Cultivate or mow alleys and roadways adjoining plots.
• Help take leaf, water, and soil samples. Process samples by labeling, weighing, drying, and grinding for further measurements or analysis.
• Assist in plot harvest by cutting, weighing, bagging, and measuring experimental plots and samples.
• Perform daily maintenance tasks.
• Assist in maintenance of work areas or buildings and other duties as assigned.

Summer Calf Farm Animal Attendant
Monday - Friday
7:30 am- 4:00 pm
Starting salary: $15.00/hour with increases for each returning year.

College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences Southern Research & Outreach Center, Waseca, MN

Overview

We are looking for a seasonal employee to work in the calf research program at the Southern Research and Outreach Center, Waseca, MN. The successful applicant will assist with feeding, cleaning, watering and taking notes on calf research projects.

Position Responsibilities

Calf Farm Animal Support (100%)

• Maintain animal bedding to provide clean and dry pens.
• Maintain and clean waterers.
• Cleaning of equipment (pails, calf pens, work areas, cattle trailer.
• Maintenance and repairs of building and equipment.
• Clean livestock barns of liquid and dry manure.
• Spread manure, operate and maintain liquid manure agitators.
• Handling, moving, and sorting animals up to 600 lbs.

Summer Horticulture Field Assistant | Grounds and Maintenance | Crop and Soil Science Technician | Agronomy Plot Technician | Calf Farm Animal Attendant

Required qualifications

• Educational, certification and work experience are based on, and cannot exceed, the qualifications for work performed in comparable UM job classification. Must be 16 years of age or older.

Preferred qualifications

• Interest in the agricultural/environmental science field.
• Experience working effectively in a team setting.
• Ability to follow detailed written and verbal instructions.
  

Pay Range: $15.00 - $18.00 per hour depending on education/qualifications/experience.

$15.00 - $18.00/hr with an increase of $0.25/hr for each returning season

Retirement plan options are available for Civil Service, Faculty, Labor-Represented, Professional & Administrative, and Temp Casual classifications. Learn more about retirement plans.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Please note this posting is hiring multiple appointments. A cover letter is optional if you would like to identify the position you are interested in. If not identified, you will be considered for all positions.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

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