Job Description

Primary responsibilities of this position are to provide technical support for viticulture and grape pathology research and extension programs. Specific duties may include, but are not limited to, seasonal maintenance including dormant pruning and summer growth management, crop load and pest management of grapevines. Additional duties will include experimental unit selection, field plot establishment, initiation of experiments, application of registered and experimental pesticides and growth regulators, collecting, recording, tabulation, and analysis of data and compiling MS Word and Excel files. Employee will manage time and coordinate labor to meet the needs for treatment applications and data collection of time-sensitive experiments. Coordinate with other technical staff and faculty and occasionally assist with other projects and contribute to Center maintenance. Supervise wage employees in the above tasks and/or work in tandem with other classified staff and graduate students in a team environment.

Required Qualifications

BS/BA degree in horticulture, plant science, or a related science field, or practical training and experience in fruit production or similar, horticultural field. Familiarity with common viticultural field and laboratory techniques, knowledge in the safe use of laboratory and field equipment, and a valid motor vehicle operator's license. Safe driving and acceptable conviction checks are required of the successful candidate. Verbal and writing skills that enable competent supervision and development of a professional and academic atmosphere. Demonstrated ability to manage and supervise self, other staff, and physical resources. Commercial pesticide applicator training and certification, as well as additional safety training will be required within the first year of employment.

Preferred Qualifications

Competency with vineyard machinery, including safe operation of up to 75hp tractors, airblast sprayers, pesticide use, and brush chopper/mowers. Working knowledge of apple, peach, cherry and grape growing practices, including the underlying principles of dormant pruning, nutrition, canopy management goals (pruning), crop load management techniques and effective pest management. Minimum computer competency to consist of familiarity with PC/Windows operating system, MS Office suite, including Word and Excel, entering of experimental data, written records of trial progress, and presentation of basic summary statistics in a tabular form. MS degree in horticulture or related plant science field. Experience with common laboratory equipment, such as electronic scales, pH meter, pipets, and laboratory chemicals.

Pay Band

4

Appointment Type

Regular

Salary Information

$41,655 - $46,000; commensurate with experience

Review Date

January 30, 2024

Additional Information

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight , a , a college, , and . The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including the in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous and . A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.