Department:

Horticulture

Special Instructions to Applicants:

When applying you will be required to attach the following electronic documents

• A Resume
• A Cover Letter

For additional information please contact: Casey Wilson at casey.wilson@oregonstate.edu

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability, protected veteran, and other protected status.

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 Voluntary and Compulsory Driver Standards OSU Standard 125-155-0200) as per OSU Standard 576-056-0000 et seq.

OSU will conduct a review of the National Sex Offender Public website prior to hire.

Note: All job offers are contingent upon Human Resources final approval

 

Job Description:

This recruitment will be used to five (5) part-time (a maximum of 20 hours per week per student) Student Technical Assistant positions for the Department of Horticulture at Oregon State University (OSU).

Performs light to heavy tasks such as equipment operations, grounds maintenance, assist with data collection, sample processing, and other horticulture-related activities. Position includes working at the research farm, located three miles from the main OSU campus. Occasional work in the lab and greenhouses located on-campus will be required.

Program background information:
https://plantbreeding.oregonstate.edu/plantbreeding/research/hazelnut-breeding-program

Job Duties:

• Start work in early May for spring hiring or August for fall hiring.

• Work until the end of harvest season in late October

• Be available to work all summer long

• Harvest of hazelnuts by hand, on an individual tree basis.

• Move bags of nuts to and from dryer, sorting, recording data.

• Perform plot maintenance, hand watering, brush removal, sucker removal using hand and power tools, digging trees and planting trees, moving sawdust, propagation of trees, nut and seed harvest.

• Successfully complete and maintain appropriate farm, lab and greenhouse safety training and certifications.

• Assist with seed planting, transplanting, labeling and staking trees, irrigation.

• Move potted plant material from one location to another.

• Perform lab work

• Wash dishes, label sample tubes, and refill supplies. Lab is located in Ag & Life Sciences Bldg.

• Perform computer Work

• Enter data using Excel and other MS Office programs

Transferable Skill Development

OSU is committed to ensuring students are prepared for success after graduation through intentional skill development as student employees. The competencies students develop while working at OSU are defined by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) as the essential skills employers seek in their hires. In this position, students learn and build vital career-readiness skills in the primary areas below:  

• Communication, Critical Thinking, Teamwork, Professionalism

Qualifications:

Full Employment Eligibility Requirements can be found here: https://hr.oregonstate.edu/student-employment-manual/500-employment-eligibility-requirements
 

• Must be academically enrolled in a high school, community college, or university and pursuing a program or course of study

• Must meet Academic Standing Requirements; students on academic suspension are not eligible for employment

• Must meet the applicable minimal enrollment standard

  • High School student: Regularly enrolled in a high school or participating in a home-schooling program

  • Undergraduate and post-baccalaureate student: 6 credit hours per term

  • Undergraduate international student: 12 credit hours per term*

  • Graduate student officially admitted to Graduate School: 5 credit hours per term

  • Graduate international student officially admitted to Graduate School: 9 credit hours per term*

*International students may be allowed to carry fewer hours than specified above and still be considered “full-time” by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). A reduced course load is approved by the Office of International Services (OIS), and must be provided to the Student Employment Center.

Required:

The ideal candidates for this position are:

• Reliable – shows up to work on time every day

• Have the ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions.

• Able to stand, kneel, bend, and lift up to 25-50lbs.

• Interest and knowledge in horticulture, plant breeding, agriculture crop science, forestry or plant sciences.

• Good communication skills, and work with minimal supervision.

• Ability to follow directions, apply accuracy and attention to details in all tasks.

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 Voluntary and Compulsory Driver Standards OSU Standard 125-155-0200) as per OSU Standard 576-056-0000 et seq.

Preferred:

• Experience with lab, greenhouse and or agricultural field work.

• Experience with power tools such as chainsaws, drills and weed eatersA demonstrable commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity

Working Conditions/Schedule:

- May include operating power tools such as chainsaw, drills, etc.
- May include use of hand tools including saws, pruners, hammers.
- May include work outdoors in all types of weather. (Rain gear is provided when necessary.)
- May require walking, standing, bending and stooping for extended periods.
- May be exposed to dust, fumes, noise and variation in temperature.
- May require maneuvering and transporting heavy objects (up to 50 pounds).
- May require working around chemicals, paint, fertilizers and caustic compounds. Lab and farm safety procedures are followed.
- Need to be available a minimum of 4 hours each day worked, 12-20 hours/week.

Salary Range:

Anticipated Start Date:

2026-09-15

Anticipated End Date: