SROC Horticulture Field Assistant

Overview: 100% Monday – Friday 7:30 am – 4:00 pm 

Starting salary:  $15.25/hour with increases for each returning year. College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences Southern Research & Outreach Center, Waseca, MN  

The Southern Research and Outreach Center, Waseca, MN performs field research with horticulture every summer. In 2026, crops will include, but are not limited to, onions, cauliflower, peppers, peas, and sweet corn. Under certain conditions, candidates may be eligible for extended employment if work needs and circumstances change. 

Responsibilities

Horticulture Field Support (90%) 

• Research plot measuring and staking. 
• Research plot planting. 
• Research plot maintenance (scouting, weeding, watering, training plots, maintaining irrigation.) 
• Experimental treatments of plants and plot research (applying fertilizer, thinning plants, applying shade, pollinating.) 
• Data collection (timing of flowering, disease and relative vigor ratings, plant density and canopy measurements.) 
• Harvest (hand-harvest of vegetables from plots, yield measurements (weights and counts), pea and sweet corn processing, quality measurements and ratings (physiological disorders, size, shape.)) 
• Data entry.  

Other Center Duties As Assigned (10%) 

Required Qualifications 

• Educational, certification and work experience are based on, and cannot exceed, the qualifications for work performed in comparable UM job classification. 
• Must be 16 years of age or older 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Interest in the agricultural/environmental science field.  
• Experience working effectively in a team setting.  
• Ability to follow detailed written and verbal instructions.  

Summer Grounds and Maintenance   

Overview: 25%, about 10 hours a week, Monday – Friday 7:30 am – 4:00 pm Starting salary:  $16.00-$18.00/hour with increases for each returning year College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences Southern Research & Outreach Center, Waseca, MN  Seasonal employment at the Southern Research and Outreach Center, Waseca, MN, will maintain and improve the appearance of the grounds, buildings, and equipment. 

Responsibilities

Grounds and Maintenance Support (100%) 

• Operating large frame lawnmowers and trimmers. 
• Daily maintenance of equipment. 
• Landscaping, pruning, and mulching. 
• Painting, cleaning, and minor repairs to buildings. 
• General field work. 
• Cleaning and detailing of vehicles and equipment. 
• Aid in research projects. 
• Assist with educational field events. 

Required Qualifications

• Educational, certification and work experience are based on, and cannot exceed, the qualifications for work performed in comparable UM job classification. 
• Must be 16 years of age or older

Preferred Qualifications

• Interest in the agricultural/environmental science field.  
• Experience working effectively in a team setting.  
• Ability to follow detailed written and verbal instructions.   

Summer Plot Technician 

Overview: 100% (about 40 hours a week) Monday – Friday 7:30 am – 4:00 pm Starting salary:  $15.25/hour with increases for each returning year. College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences Southern Research & Outreach Center, Waseca, MN  This position will be a part of the nutrient management research and education team at the Southern Research and Outreach Center, Waseca, MN. Nutrient management is conducted primarily in corn and soybean and addresses fertilizer and manure management, cropping systems, and nutrient loss in tile drainage water. This information contributes to nutrient best management practices for southern Minnesota. Specific areas of interest include nitrogen management for corn, agronomic evaluation of phosphorus, potassium and sulfur fertilization, evaluation of new fertilizer products (enhanced efficiency fertilizers), and cover crop interactions with cropping systems. Under certain conditions, candidates may be eligible for extended employment if work needs and circumstances change. 

Responsibilities

Soil Science Support (100%) 

• Assist with field research projects conducted at Waseca and other locations in southern Minnesota. 
• Participate in the application of fertilizers, manure, and other products. 
• Collect plant, soil, and water samples. 
• Measuring and recording plant growth (both physical and with remote sensing tools.) 
• General field work and plot maintenance. 
• Evaluation of plots and sample processing. 
• Assisting with educational events. 

Required Qualifications 

• Educational, certification and work experience are based on, and cannot exceed, the qualifications for work performed in comparable UM job classification. 
• Must be 16 years of age or older 

Preferred Qualifications

• Interest in the agricultural/environmental science field.  
• Experience working effectively in a team setting.  
• Ability to follow detailed written and verbal instructions.  

Summer Agronomy Plot Technician 

100%, about 40 hours a week, Monday – Friday 7:30 am – 4:00 pm Starting salary:  $15.25/hour with increases for each returning year. 

College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences Southern Research & Outreach Center, Waseca, MN  

The successful applicant will assist researchers and staff with field projects being conducted at the Southern Research and Outreach Center in Waseca and other locations in southern Minnesota. Project duties include collecting plant, soil, and water samples; measuring and recording plant growth (both physically and with remote sensing tools); general field work and plot maintenance; evaluation of plots; tabulating data; sample preparation for lab analysis; and assisting with educational field events. Under certain conditions, candidates may be eligible for extended employment if work needs and circumstances change. 

Responsibilities

Agronomic Field Support (100%) 

• Assist in care of experimental plots under the direction of SROC researchers.  
• Participate in plot layout, tillage, preparation for planting, and planting as required for experiments.  
• Assist in care of experimental plots by fertilizing, weeding, hoeing, staking, sampling, and measuring plant characteristics. Cultivate or mow alleys and roadways adjoining plots.  
• Help take leaf, water, and soil samples. Process samples by labeling, weighing, drying, and grinding for further measurements or analysis.  
• Assist in plot harvest by cutting, weighing, bagging, and measuring experimental plots and samples.  
• Perform daily maintenance tasks.  
• Assist in maintenance of work areas or buildings and other duties as assigned.  

Required Qualifications

• Educational, certification and work experience are based on, and cannot exceed, the qualifications for work performed in comparable UM job classification. 
• Must be 16 years of age or older 

Preferred Qualifications

• Interest in the agricultural/environmental science field.  
• Experience working effectively in a team setting.  
• Ability to follow detailed written and verbal instructions.  

Summer Calf Farm Animal Attendant 

Overview: 100% about 40 hours a week, Monday – Friday, 7:30 am – 4:00 pm Starting salary:  $15.25/hour with increases for each returning year. 

College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences Southern Research & Outreach Center, Waseca, MN  We are looking for a seasonal employee to work in the calf research program at the Southern Research and Outreach Center, Waseca, MN. The successful applicant will assist with feeding, cleaning, watering and taking notes on calf research projects. Under certain conditions, candidates may be eligible for extended employment if work needs and circumstances change. 

Responsibilities 

Calf Farm Animal Support (100%) 

• Maintain animal bedding to provide clean and dry pens. 
• Maintain and clean waterers. 
• Cleaning of equipment (pails, calf pens, work areas, cattle trailer. 
• Maintenance and repairs of building and equipment. 
• Clean livestock barns of liquid and dry manure. 
• Spread manure, operate and maintain liquid manure agitators. 
• Handling, moving, and sorting animals up to 600 lbs.  

Required Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent.

Preferred Qualifications:

• An agricultural (farm) background or coursework in animal science, agricultural education, or related field is desired but not required. 
• Experience operating basic farm equipment is also desirable. Position may have physical requirements, e.g., lifting, manual dexterity. 
• A valid driver’s license may be required.

Required Qualifications

•  Educational, certification and work experience are based on, and cannot exceed, the qualifications for work performed in comparable UM job classification.
• Must be 16 years of age or older

Preferred Qualifications

• Interest in the agricultural/environmental science field.  
• Experience working effectively in a team setting.  
• Ability to follow detailed written and verbal instructions.  

For Calf Attendant: 

Required Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent.

Preferred Qualifications:

• An agricultural (farm) background or coursework in animal science, agricultural education, or related field is desired but not required. 
• Experience operating basic farm equipment is also desirable. 
• Position may have physical requirements, e.g., lifting, manual dexterity. 
• A valid driver’s license may be required.

College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences Southern Research & Outreach Center, Waseca, MN  

Pay Range: $15.25 - $18.00 per hour, depending on education/qualifications/experience.

Retirement plan options are available for Civil Service, Faculty, Labor-Represented, Professional & Administrative, and Temp Casual classifications. 

Applications must be submitted online.  To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions.  You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail [email protected] or call (612) 624-8647.