Working title:

Assistant Superintendent - Potato Storage Research

Official title:

RESEARCHER(E05DN) or ASSOC RESEARCHER(E05FN) or ASST RESEARCHER(E05LN)

Degree and area of specialization:

Minimum M.S. Degree in Horticulture, Plant Pathology, Soils, Entomology, Plant Physiology or related Plant Sciences

License/certification:

Currently posess or ability to obtain Wisconsin Certified Commercial Pesticide Applicator License; Posess a valid drivers license which meets UW Risk Management Driver Approval standards

Minimum number of years and type of relevant work experience:

2 years of experience in plant science research. Experience in potato and vegetable storage storage and/or quality control management. Strong verbal and written communication skills. Strong computer skills. Proven record of working as part of a research team. Supervisory experience desirable.

Principal duties:

POSITION DESCRIPTION
Assistant Superintendent Hancock Agricultural Research Station
College of Agricultural & Life Sciences

Position Title - Researcher
Working Title - Assistant Superintendent (Storage Research)

Position Summary:
The Hancock Agricultural Research Station is located in Waushara County in the part of Wisconsin known as the "Golden Sands." The station's sandy soils, most of which are irrigated, are representative of almost 2.5 million acres of sandy plain in central Wisconsin. The mission of the Hancock Station is: To support the research and outreach necessary to develop and evaluate cropping systems and components which are profitable, environmentally sound, resource sustaining, and appropriate to the agriculture, forestry, and natural resources on sandy soils in Wisconsin. Research at the Hancock station has traditionally focused on irrigated vegetable and field crops with an emphasis on potatoes, snap beans, cucumbers, field corn, sweet corn and alfalfa, however, the recent construction and opening of the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Storage Research Facility (SRF) on the Hancock Station presents exciting new opportunities to study issues important to the potato and vegetable industry in Wisconsin. This new resource also presents significant management challenges to the Hancock Agricultural Research Station.

The main responsibilities of this position are to oversee and coordinate all activities as they relate to the research, teaching and outreach programs associated with the Hancock Agricultural Research Station and the Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Storage Research Facility. This position will manage eighteen specialized storage research units according to established protocols to meet the needs of research projects and maintain quality of raw product for various end uses. This position will interact with the Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Storage Research Facility Advisory Committee in managing and maintaining this specialized research facility. This position works closely with the Superintendent and UW Agriculture Supervisor to coordinate research activities on the station and to develop research, outreach and teaching programs. This will include writing grants to secure funding for research projects, outreach programs and instructional activities, serving as principal investigator on research projects and coordinating and supporting other horticulture related research projects conducted on the station. This position shares management responsibilities for the Hancock Agricultural Research Station with the Station Superintendent. Specific duties of this position include:

(55%) POTATO AND VEGETABLE STORAGE RESEARCH, COORDINATION, MANAGEMENT AND SUPPORT.

Collaborate with faculty, researchers, potato and vegetable growers, and industry representatives to identify issues of concern and develop issue-relevant research projects. Present list of proposed projects to Storage Research Facility (SRF) Advisory Committee for review and prioritization.

Work in combination with the Station Superintendent to provide support for all aspects of the potato and vegetable storage research programs conducted on the station. Manage and oversee technical aspects of the station potato and vegetable storage research programs. Schedule and manage field research, trials and evaluations in conjunction with the station Superintendent. Use station computer resources to keep records, generate field books and research plot plans.

Coordinate storage research project activities for UW researchers. Assign research projects to specific storage bins or lockers with the storage facility and allocate resources to meet project objectives and special requirements.

Schedule and conduct meetings with researchers and research staff to discuss and clarify details of each storage research project and to define researcher and Hancock Station responsibilities.

Cooperate with researchers as requested in designing storage research projects, collecting, rating and processing of storage samples, analyzing and interpreting data, and presenting oral and written research results. Interact with and assist graduate students with research projects. Develop collaborative efforts with other researchers and cooperate in independent research projects related to the potato and vegetable storage research program to test new ideas, procedures and equipment.

Serve as principle investigator or co-principle investigator, write grant proposals, seek funding and develop research programs appropriate to the mission of the station and needs of the region. Design, plan and implement storage and related field research experiments; collect and analyze data; present oral and written research results.

Responsible for the daily supervision and evaluation of SRF employees. Provide guidance to students and program staff involved in field and laboratory components of the potato and vegetable storage research program. Promote teamwork and accountability among all program participants and station staff.


(15%) WISCONSIN POTATO & VEGETABLE STORAGE RESEARCH FACILITY ADMINISTRATION, RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND MAINTENANCE

Manage storage conditions within SRF bins and lockers according to established protocols to meet the needs of research projects and maintain quality of raw product for various end uses; evaluate stored crop condition daily, analyze changing conditions and modify storage protocol as needed.

Assist Superintendent with short and long-term planning and development of the SRF physical plant, including storage research lockers and bins, and laboratories.

Cooperate with Superintendent and other station staff to allocate labor, equipment and other resources to ensure timely completion of research and facility maintenance activities in the SRF.

Plan and develop SRF maintenance schedule; oversee and assist with maintenance activities, including: trouble-shooting and repairing storage research bins and lockers, processing laboratory and quality assurance laboratory.
Manage and maintain various pieces of laboratory equipment.

Manage and maintain various pieces of computerized data collection equipment, including: specific gravity measuring device and potato sizing equipment.

Assist Superintendent with developing and managing SRF operating budget and maintenance endowment.



(25%) RESEARCH STATION ADMINISTRATION

Assist in the management of the daily operations of the Hancock Agricultural Research Station and act on behalf of the Station Superintendent in his/her absence.

Share in the responsibility for the maintenance and development of the Hancock Agricultural Research Station facilities, grounds and equipment. Assist with the minor maintenance of buildings and equipment and assist with the management for the care of lawns, landscaping and ornamental plantings.

Assist in the hiring, evaluation, and supervision of station personnel and the development of long-term staffing plans.
Assist Superintendent with preparing position descriptions, soliciting applicants, interviewing candidates and selecting new permanent and limited-term personnel.
Assist with regular reviews of employee position descriptions to ensure position descriptions are accurate and up to date.
Conduct annual performance reviews and interviews and provide written performance evaluations. Recommend disciplinary action to station Superintendent when warranted.
Develop prioritized work schedules and generate daily work orders; assign tasks to station employees; oversee carrying out of tasks in a timely manner and confirm completion of these tasks.

Assist with the preparation and development of operating budgets and coordinating expenditures and incomes associated with the station.

Assist in the development of long-range goals for the station. Make recommendations concerning the design and development of new facilities and equipment needed to efficiently and effectively carry out the station mission. Assist with the identification of future budget needs for facilities, capital equipment, and supplies in conjunction with research, outreach and instructional needs.


(5%) PUBLIC RELATIONS, OUTREACH AND EDUCATION

Serve on grower, university, industry and government committees when appropriate.

Use print, broadcast media and the Internet to educate growers and the general public about ongoing research projects and to promote station activities.

Assist in planning and implementing field days, station tours and other educational activities for growers, industry and the general public.

Participate in educational meetings as a speaker and/or coordinator when appropriate.

Assist station clientele (growers, agribusiness people and the general public) in finding answers to questions and problems.

TO ENSURE CONSIDERATION

Application must be received by: SEPTEMBER 24, 2008

HOW TO APPLY:

Unless another application procedure has been specified above, please send resume and cover letter referring to Position Vacancy Listing #59437 to