Position Description: Agricultural Research Assistant-Rosholt Farm 2025 **click here**
Application Form ***click here***
Agricultural Research Assistant-Rosholt Farm
POSITION TITLE: Agricultural Research Assistant-Rosholt Farm
APPLICATION DEADLINE: February 14, 2025 4:00 p.m. or open until filled
POsITION LOCATION: Glenwood, MN duration 6 to 8-month position (April to November)
Candidates could be students looking for summer employment (May to August) or a recent graduate looking to gain experience prior to fulltime employment (April to November).
COMPENSATION: $16.00 to $20.00 per hour depending on qualifications and experience
Please note potential to hire up to two positions for the season.
BENEFITS: Potential Public Employee Retirement Association (PERA) eligible depending on employment terms. Seasonal staff shall receive vacation leave pro-rated based on hours worked. Seasonal Staff shall receive paid holidays during time employed.
POSITION DEFINITION:
The Agricultural Research Assistant will be responsible for collecting weekly water samples from vacuum lysimeters, conducting nitrate-nitrogen analysis, nitrous oxide readings, weekly soil moisture data readings, and documenting test results at the Rosholt Farm near Westport, Minnesota. The farm has multiple research plots. The Agricultural Research Assistant will also be responsible for assisting with tree planting, grass seeding’s, educational programming, and general assistance with all programs offered through the district. The preferred candidate will be a recent graduate looking to gain knowledge and experience in this field. This position has enabled others in the past to attain employment in this field with the knowledge, skills, and training gained. Students looking for a position to gain experience for the summer months are also encouraged to apply.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSILBILITIES:
Collect water samples weekly from each of the vacuum lysimeter stations. Perform water testing using spectrophotometer equipment and standard operating procedures, document and record test results for each lysimeter at the job site. Prepare and submit test samples to a certified laboratory for analysis according to Minnesota Department of Agriculture Quality Control requirements. Coordinate with the University of Minnesota researchers on their plots. Maintain and organize data. Assist where needed with research related management work including plot fertilization, crop scouting, plant sample collection, soil sampling, soil moisture monitoring, stalk sampling and harvest. Maintain, operate and secure equipment properly at the project site. Perform operations and maintenance tasks at Herman Rosholt Farm project site. Comply with health and safety procedures. May involve other duties as assigned to complete work related to Rosholt Farm Project activities including mowing and site maintenance. Carry out other duties as assigned including assisting with tree planting including installation of weed barrier fabric, grass seeding’s using no‐till drill and tractor, pulling gooseneck trailers with equipment, educational programming, and general assistance with all programs offered through the District. This position is meant to assist and will serve as a good opportunity for an individual to gain experience and begin a career in the natural resources, agricultural, or environmental field.
REQUIRED SKILLS:
Education: Course study in Hydrology, Agronomy, Ag Education, Environmental Sciences, Soil Science, or related field.
Qualities/Core Competencies:
- Organized with a strong attention to detail and time management skills
- Demonstrates a strong level of accountability
- Good written and verbal communications skills
- Exhibits professionalism
- High degree of initiative, self-motivation, and ability to work independently
- Farm, rural, or agribusiness background preferred, experience with machinery or soil and water monitoring equipment helpful
- Must be able and willing to work outdoors in varied weather conditions; capable of lifting to 70 pounds
- Possess a valid driver’s license
JOB LOCATION: Westport, Minnesota (Pope County) Rosholt Research Farm located between Glenwood and Sauk Centre on Highway 28.
POSITION TYPE:
This is a temporary up to 6 to 8-month position that is grant-funded.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Submit a completed application and resume by the deadline to:
Holly Kovarik, District Manager
Pope SWCD
1680 Franklin Street North
Glenwood, MN 56334
320-634-5327 phone
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Watershed Planner & Outreach Coordinator Job Description
Watershed Planner & Outreach Coordinator Position Announcement
Application Form ***click here***
POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT
Watershed Planner and Outreach Coordinator
Pope Soil and Water Conservation District
POSITION TITLE: Watershed Planner and Outreach Coordinator
APPLICATION DEADLINE: March 21, 2025 4:00 p.m.
POSITION LOCATION: Glenwood, MN
EMPLOYMENT TERMS: Full-time
COMPENSATION:
Starting salary based on qualifications and experience $24.00-$30.00 per hour pay range. Compensation includes full benefits package health insurance stipend, vacation and sick leave, holidays, and retirement plan contribution (PERA-Public Employee Retirement Association)
POSITION PURPOSE:
This position is a 40 hour/week position. Coordination of the comprehensive local water/watershed management planning and implementation efforts and activities for the Chippewa River watershed including West Otter Tail SWCD, Otter Tail County, Grant SWCD, Grant County, Douglas SWCD, Douglas County, Pope SWCD, Pope County, Stevens SWCD, Stevens County, Swift SWCD, Swift County, Kandiyohi SWCD, Kandiyohi County, Chippewa SWCD, and Chippewa County.
Coordinates Chippewa River Watershed’s watershed wide outreach and educational programming as identified in the Public Participation Plan.
Coordinates Pope Soil and Water Conservation District’s adult education and outreach activities including workshops, field days, fair booth, website, social media, promotional materials, as a few examples.
Participates in watershed planning activities as Pope SWCD’s representative or alternate for other watershed partnerships.
QUALIFICATIONS: (Complete job description available at www.popeswcd.org)
• Bachelor’s degree in natural resources, soils, geology, agriculture, geography, planning, information systems, hydrology, public administration, environmental resource management, or related field or any acceptable equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Knowledge of geology, geography, planning, wildlife ecology, wetland, and grassland management including the ability to utilize various habitat management tools in the development of the management plans.
• Knowledge of conservation and wildlife programs provided by federal (i.e. Farm Bill, US Fish and Wildlife Service), state and local entities. In addition, knowledge of how these programs are implemented in an agricultural landscape is desired.
• Experience with design and installation of conservation practices or similar work.
• Ability to read, analyze, interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies or members of the public. Ability to write articles for publication and to effectively present information to management, public groups and/or boards.
• Position requires working with landowners must have strong interpersonal communication skills and the ability to work with a wide variety of people.
• Ability to comprehend complex programs and rules and be able to explain them to others.
• Self motivated, able to work with a minimum of supervision.
• Computer experience with word processing and spreadsheets, GIS (ArcView) also helpful.
• Able to obtain USDA Federal Security Clearance
• Valid Minnesota driver’s license
• Other duties as assigned.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
SUBMIT A COMPLETED APPLICATION, AND A ONE TO TWO PAGE RESUME AND THREE REFERENCES NO LATER THAN 4:00 P.M. FRIDAY, MARCH 21, 2025.
HOLLY KOVARIK, DISTRICT MANAGER
POPE SWCD
1680 FRANKLIN ST NORTH
GLENWOOD, MN 56334
holly.kovarik@mn.nacdnet.net
320-634-5327 phone