Research Technician I (Temporary) (Maricopa, AZ) (Multiple Positions) (UPDATED)

Duties & Responsibilities

Collect insect samples in cotton fields using sweep nets (“sweeping”). These activities typically take place during the early morning hours of Arizona summers to avoid exposure to extreme heat conditions. This work may require physical effort and upper-body strength.

Process field-collected samples by removing plant material and sorting, identifying, and counting collected insects.

Assist with insecticide applications, including preparation activities such as mixing products and loading sprayers, helping deploy spray applications, and cleaning equipment afterward.

Assist with manual and digital data entry. Data generated from processed samples, as well as observations collected directly from the field, must be recorded both manually and digitally for documentation and data security purposes.

Assist with cotton field maintenance activities, including cutting alleys, establishing plots, weed removal, staking plots, monitoring irrigation status, monitoring plant health and development, harvesting, and other related field activities.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Willingness to follow heat-safety and protective practices.
• Skilled in good communication.
• Skilled in organization.
• Skilled in Note-taking.
• Skilled in Teamwork.

Physical Requirements

Ability to perform physically demanding outdoor work under hot summer conditions.

Minimum Qualifications

• A high school diploma or high school diploma equivalency is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Flexibility to work early morning schedules during peak field operations.

Benefits Eligible

• Yes - Limited Benefits

Compensation Type

• Hourly rate

Career Stream and Level

• OC1

Job Family

• Research & Lab

Job Function

• Research

Type of criminal background check required

• Name-based criminal background check (non-security sensitive)

Number of Vacancies

• 4

Target Hire Date

• 7/6/2026

Expected End Date

• 10/2/2026