Position Details
Position Information
| Department | Central Oregon Exp Sta (ACT) |
|---|---|
| Position Title | Academic Wage Appt – Salaried |
| Job Title | Academic Wage–Salaried: Faculty Research Assistant |
| Appointment Type | Academic Wage |
| Job Location | Madras |
| Benefits Eligible | Full-Time, benefits eligible |
| Remote or Hybrid option? | |
| Job Summary | The Central Oregon Agricultural Research and Extension Center (COAREC) is seeking a salaried Academic Wage: Faculty Research Assistant. This is a full-time (1.00 FTE), 12-month, fixed-term position. This position is anticipated to last approximately 12-months. Oregon State University’s College of Agricultural Sciences is seeking a Faculty Research Assistant to support the Agricultural Water Technical Assistance Program (AgWater-TAP), a legislatively funded initiative focused on improving agricultural water management across Oregon. This position will focus on extension and outreach activities, including planning and delivering educational workshops, coordinating field days and demonstrations, and developing technical materials that support on-farm decision-making related to irrigation and water use. The incumbent will engage directly with growers, advisors, agency partners, and researchers to communicate research findings, assess stakeholder needs, and promote the adoption of science-based water management practices. This is a full-time, fixed-term position based at the Central Oregon Agricultural Research and Extension Center (COAREC) in Madras, Oregon, with an anticipated duration of 12 months. Renewal is contingent upon performance, programmatic need, and the availability of future funding. |
| Why OSU? | Working for Oregon State University is so much more than a job! Oregon State University is a dynamic community of dreamers, doers, problem-solvers and change-makers. We don’t wait for challenges to present themselves — we seek them out and take them on. We welcome students, faculty and staff from every background and perspective into a community where everyone feels seen and heard. We have deep-rooted mindfulness for the natural world and all who depend on it, and together, we apply knowledge, tools and skills to build a better future for all. FACTS: • Top 1.4% university in the world • More research funding than all public universities in Oregon combined • 1 of 3 land, sea, space and sun grant universities in the U.S. • 2 campuses, 11 colleges, 12 experiment stations, and Extension programs in all 36 counties • 7 cultural resource centers that offer education, celebration and belonging for everyone • 100+ undergraduate degree programs, 80+ graduate degrees plus hundreds of minor options and certificates • 35k+ students including more than 2.3k international students and 10k students of color • 217k+ alumni worldwide • For more interesting facts about OSU visit: https://oregonstate.edu/about Locations: Oregon State has a statewide presence with campuses in Corvallis and Bend, the OSU Portland Center and the Hatfield Marine Science Center on the Pacific Coast in Newport. Oregon State’s beautiful, historic and state-of-the-art main campus is located in one of America’s best college towns. Corvallis is located close to the Pacific Ocean, the Cascade mountains and Oregon wine country. Nestled in the heart of the Willamette Valley, this beautiful city offers miles of mountain biking and hiking trails, a river perfect for boating or kayaking and an eclectic downtown featuring local cuisine, popular events and performances. Total Rewards Package: Oregon State University offers a comprehensive benefits package with benefits eligible positions that is designed to meet the needs of employees and their families including: • Medical, Dental, Vision and Basic Life. OSU pays 95% of premiums for you and your eligible dependents. • Free confidential mental health and emotional support services, and counseling resources. • Retirement savings paid by the university. • A generous paid leave package, including holidays, vacation and sick leave. • Tuition reduction benefits for you or your qualifying dependents at OSU or the additional six Oregon Public Universities. • Robust Work Life programs including Dual Career assistance resources, flexible work arrangements, a Family Resource Center, Affinity Groups and an Employee Assistance Program. • Optional lifestyle benefits such as pet, accident, and critical illness insurance, giving you peace of mind and the support you need to thrive in all aspects of your life. Future and current OSU employees can use the Benefits Calculator to learn more about the full value of the benefits provided at OSU. |
| Key Responsibilities | Agricultural Water Management Outreach and Education Specialist 50% Educational program delivery, stakeholder engagement and support Plan, coordinate, and deliver educational activities, including field days, workshops, and on-farm demonstrations focused on irrigation efficiency, decision-support tools, and sustainable water use practices. Build relationships with growers, water users, and agency partners. Conduct needs assessments and provide direct support to stakeholders in accessing technical resources and adopting best practices. 20% Agricultural Water Stakeholder Engagement Program (STEP) Support the development and pilot implementation of a Stakeholder Engagement Program (STEP). Responsibilities include grower recruitment and team organization, communication of competition goals, coordination of events, collection of feedback, and development of outreach materials and performance metrics related to on-farm decision-making and irrigation performance. 20% Program evaluation and reporting Assist in collecting feedback from program participants, evaluating the impact of outreach activities, and supporting required reporting to university leadership and external stakeholders. Write reports, research proposals, and manuscripts. 10% Development of outreach materials Create technical fact sheets, presentations, newsletters, and digital content to disseminate research findings and promote informed agricultural water management across diverse audiences |
| What You Will Need | Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Education, Environmental Science, Natural Resources, Agricultural Extension, Plant Science, or a closely related field. Demonstrated experience in outreach, extension education, or community-based programming related to agriculture, soil and water management, or resource conservation. Familiarity with agricultural water management topics, including irrigation practices, crop water use, water quality (agricultural and domestic), groundwater supply and protection, and emerging technologies such as agrivoltaics and remote sensing. Exposure to or experience with decision support tools used in irrigation scheduling, nutrient management, or water quality assessment. Proven ability to plan and deliver workshops, field demonstrations, and stakeholder engagement activities in agricultural or environmental contexts. Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with growers, water users, landowners, agency partners, and community stakeholders. Experience working in applied agricultural, environmental, or community engagement contexts. Possession of a valid driver’s license and the ability to travel throughout the state of Oregon, including to rural and remote communities, as required. This position requires driving a university vehicle or a personal vehicle on behalf of the university; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a motor vehicle history check, possess and maintain a current, valid driver’s license in their state of residence, be determined to be position qualified and self-report convictions as per University Policy 05-030. |
| What We Would Like You to Have | Master’s degree in Agricultural Education, Environmental Science, Natural Resources, Agricultural Extension, Plant Science, or a closely related field. Experience developing educational materials and delivering Extension, outreach, or community-based programs in agricultural or natural resource contexts. Familiarity with irrigation management practices, evapotranspiration tools, and on-farm water decision support system tools. Experience in data analysis and familiarity with a programming language such as R, Python, or MATLAB. Experience working with underserved, Tribal, or small-scale farming communities. Knowledge of agricultural policy, water conservation programs, or farm technical assistance programs. Experience with digital communication tools, GIS, or drone-based technologies to support outreach and education. Strong project coordination skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks in a collaborative, interdisciplinary environment. Bilingual or multilingual communication skills (e.g., Spanish/English) to enhance accessibility and stakeholder engagement. |
| Working Conditions / Work Schedule | This position involves a combination of office-based work and community engagement activities. It requires regular travel to farms, stakeholder locations, and event sites throughout Oregon, including rural and remote areas. Responsibilities include attending and organizing outreach events, workshops, and field days, often in outdoor or agricultural settings. Extended periods of standing and walking may be required during public events or on-farm demonstrations. Occasional overnight travel may be necessary. Work hours may vary seasonally and will require flexibility to support the coordination and delivery of outreach and educational programming. |
| Pay Method | Salary |
| Pay Period | 1st through the last day of the month |
| Pay Date | Last working day of the month |
| Recommended Full-Time Salary Range | Salary is commensurate with skills, education, and experience |
| Link to Position Description | https://jobs.oregonstate.edu/position_descriptions/170406 |
Posting Detail Information
| Posting Number | P09281UF |
|---|---|
| Number of Vacancies | 1 |
| Anticipated Appointment Begin Date | 09/01/2025 |
| Anticipated Appointment End Date | 08/31/2026 |
| Posting Date | 07/17/2025 |
| Full Consideration Date | 08/01/2025 |
| Closing Date | 08/08/2025 |
| Indicate how you intend to recruit for this search | Competitive / External – open to ALL qualified applicants |
| Special Instructions to Applicants | To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by August 1, 2025. Applications will continue to be accepted after the full consideration date, until a sufficient applicant pool has been achieved or the position is filled. The closing date is subject to change without notice to applicants. When applying you will be required to attach the following electronic documents: 1) A resume/CV; and 2) A cover letter indicating how your qualifications and experience have prepared you for this position. ou will also be required to submit the names of at least three professional references, their e-mail addresses and telephone numbers as part of the application process. For additional information please contact: Floyid Nicolas nicolasf@oregonstate.edu 352-204-6156 We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability, protected veteran, and other protected status. OSU will conduct a review of the National Sex Offender Public website prior to hire. OSU is a fair chance employer committed to inclusive hiring. We encourage applications from candidates who bring a wide range of lived experience including involvement with the justice system. This job has “critical or security-sensitive” responsibilities. If you are selected as a finalist, your initial job offer will be contingent upon the results of a job-related pre-employment check (such as a background check, motor vehicle history check, sexual misconduct reference check, etc.). Background check results do not automatically disqualify a candidate. Take a look at our Background Checks website including the for candidates section for more details. If you have questions or concerns about the pre-employment check, please contact OSU’s Employee and Labor Relations team at employee.relations@oregonstate.edu. |
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
Documents Needed to Apply
Required Documents
- Resume
- Cover Letter
Optional Documents
- VETERANS ONLY: Must provide proof of Veteran Status (DO NOT upload any unrelated documentation – information uploaded to this field will be removed once reviewed)
