Temporary Field Technician

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Operate tractors and farm equipment for field preparation, cultivation, and cover crop management
• Aid with irrigation setup, maintenance, and monitoring
• Support planting, transplanting, and general crop management activities
• Afford assistance with implementation of research trials, including plot maintenance and treatment applications
• Collect field data (e.g., plant growth, weed pressure, soil measurements)
• Maintain clean, organized, and presentable research fields
• Support preparation for field days and other on-site events
• Perform general farm tasks as needed

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Experience operating tractors and basic farm equipment
• Familiarity with vegetable crop production systems
• Ability to perform physically demanding outdoor work (lifting, bending, long hours in field conditions)
• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow research protocols
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Ability to work in various weather conditions
• Valid driver's license

Preferred Qualifications & Experience

• Experience in organic or regenerative agriculture systems
• Experience with irrigation systems (drip irrigation preferred)
• Previous experience supporting agricultural research trials or data collection
• Basic mechanical skills

Work Environment

• Outdoor, field-based work in varying weather conditions
• Physically active role requiring standing, lifting, and repetitive tasks

Schedule, Compensation & Benefits

• This is an hourly position, $20.00 per hour
• 40 hours per week, 8 hours per day
• This is a temporary position with an anticipated timeframe of July - December 2026
• Temporary employees are eligible for statutory benefits such as social security, worker’s compensation, and unemployment compensation but are not eligible for Rodale Institute benefit programs including severance benefits

Other Expectations

• To be trustful and respectful to all staff and visitors