Orchard Entomology Technical Assistant

Wenatchee WA

Description

Tree fruit entomology technical assistant positions are available for the spring and summer of 2022 in the Nottingham Lab at WSU’s Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center (TFREC) in Wenatchee, WA. Multiple positions are available, so do not hesitate to apply. The employees are desired to begin work as soon as possible, and the positions will remain open until filled. The positions will not exceed 40 hours/week; most weeks will be Monday through Friday. Workdays will average 8 hours, but may be shorter or longer depending on the needs of the lab. As the summer heats up, earlier start times become necessary. These positions involve assisting researchers (faculty and graduate students) with field, greenhouse, and laboratory experiments involving orchard insects. This can include travel to and from orchard site in university vehicles. You will mostly be working on projects with pests of apples, cherries, and pears. Interest in science or agriculture is preferred but not necessary. This position is a great way to develop skills and build experience for future scientists or agricultural professionals. Join our team for a fun summer of insects and orchards! Duties: • Collecting data related to insects and horticulture in orchards, greenhouses and labs. • Rearing predatory and pest insects in greenhouses and growth rooms. • Releasing and collecting beneficial insects • Counting small insects in the lab under microscopes. • Organizing and entering data. • Driving university vehicles to field sites. Required Qualifications: • Critical: Maintaining a good attitude and respecting fellow lab mates. • Desire to learn new skills related to science and agriculture. • Ability to stay focused on tasks that may be repetitive, such as counting insects in the field or under a microscope. • It is not necessary to like insects, but you need to be okay with counting them. • Ability to spend long hours outdoors in potentially adverse conditions, especially heat. Duration: Starting as soon as possible and ending in September. There is potential for work further into the fall if interested Wage $15/hr If interested, please respond to this posting and we will follow-up with you for the next steps