Oklahoma State University Looking for Farm/Ranch Hand I Full Time

Req ID: req11730

Position Number: 632967

Department: Field & Research Services Unit

Location Address
Oklahoma Panhandle Research & Extension Center, Goodwell, OK USA

Hiring Supervisor: Cameron Murley

Hiring Range
(Contingent upon available funding):
12.00 – 14.00, Hourly

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8am – 5pm with one hour for lunch.

Job Summary

Who We Are: The Field & Research Service Unit provides a central focus for station operations and management with the goal to improve overall efficiency by providing a systematic means for budget management, facility upgrades, consolidation of labor pools, maintenance and repair of equipment and buildings and other infrastructural needs.

The Field & Research Service Unit encompasses the infrastructure and local staff for field-and lab-based research experiments. Facilities include 21 research units with research stations that span the diverse environments across Oklahoma and the campus based Controlled Environmental Research Lab, Stored Products Research Center, multiple greenhouses, and core lab facilities. For more information, please visit: https://agresearch.okstate.edu/
Position Duties:
General duties included assisting with the overall care and maintenance of research projects and facilities associated with the OPREC located in Goodwell, Oklahoma. The successful candidate is to work closely with the Station Superintendent, other station staff & researchers to provide technical support to research projects. This includes common farming activities, specific research support activities, maintenance, repair and construction of equipment, overseeing equipment operation and safety training programs for students and temporary staff utilizing the equipment. Individual must implement an on-going maintenance program for equipment and facilities. This position requires a service attitude with strengths in teamwork, professionalism, and resource stewardship. Other duties are to be completed as assigned.
This is a non-exempt position (which indicates that the position is not exempt from overtime pay or comp/personal time accrual). Routine hours are determined by the station superintendent and should not exceed 40 hours per week. Any deviation from regularly scheduled hours requires pre-approval from your supervisor.

Occasionally hours may vary, depending upon station research activities, emergency maintenance required, etc., to include some early mornings, evenings, weekends, and university holidays. 

Special Instructions to Applicants
For full consideration, submit a resume, cover letter, and three professional references which includes name, email, and physical address.

Position Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

High School/GED with one year related experience. Work related experiences include but not limited to: familiarity with farming practices, equipment operations, equipment repair, basic research practices in agricultural or natural resources management.  

Must have valid Driver’s License.
Must obtain pesticide applicator’s license within 9 months of hire date

High mechanical aptitude required. Must have an eye for detail to help implement a preventive maintenance program. Must be able to maintain, make minor repairs, and use various research equipment including farming equipment, irrigation motors and generators and computer operated irrigation. Must be able to successfully communicate and work with numerous OSU faculty and staff and equipment technical representatives.

Computer skills are required including basic application of e-mail and web-based programs for communication and training.

Ability to work with people, good communication skills, and service attitude. Ability to work with faculty, staff, technicians, and graduate students of many departments within and outside DASNR, as well as the general public and visitors to the research station. Ability to assist in demonstrations of equipment and station research areas. Strong mechanical abilities.

Much of the work is performed outdoors and is subject to normal weather conditions which may including heat, cold, moisture, noise, and dust. Exposure to chemicals and animals used in the agriculture and research environment; use of tools, machinery and equipment used on Research Station property.  

Ability to operate heavy equipment such as tractors, mowers, combine, sprayers, tillage equipment, planters, shop equipment, pickup and trucks. Ability to readily climb ladders, excavate trenches, load seed and fertilizer, climb on and off farm equipment and other related physical tasks. Ability to carry more than 50 lbs. frequently and in excess of 50 pounds occasionally. Walking and standing for extended periods are necessary as well as repetitive bending and kneeling.  

Preferred: 

2 yr technical degree or bachelor’s degree.

Two years of work related experience that includes operating agricultural equipment, executing agricultural research projects and leadership and/or supervisory experience  

Oklahoma State University is a land-grant institution committed to excellence in diversity and inclusion. We strive to maintain a welcoming and inclusive environment that appreciates and values all members of the University community. We define diversity as engagement in meaningful actions, behaviors, and conversations that reflect a commitment to recognizing, understanding, and respecting the differences among students, faculty, staff, and visitors throughout the OSU system. We do not condone acts, behavior, language, or symbols that represent or reflect intolerance or discrimination. OSU is dedicated to cultivating and enriching the competitive advantages that diversity and inclusion provides all members of the University community. We identify diversity as a quality of life issue, as well as an important economic driver for the prosperity and well-being of the state, nation, and world.

Oklahoma State University, as an equal opportunity employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. Oklahoma State University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all individuals and does not discriminate based on race, religion, age, sex, color, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, or veteran status with regard to employment, educational programs and activities, and/or admissions. For more information, visit https:///eeo.okstate.edu.