Job Description
Posting number: 2026-01527
Department: University of Hawai'i at Manoa - College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience
Division: Maui County
Job classification: RESEARCH SUPPORT
Posting type: Open
Categories: Administration, Agriculture, Project Management, Research, Database Administration
****Applicants seeking short-term or part-time work with the University of Hawai’i may apply for Casual Hire appointments, which include administrative, professional, and technical (APT) or instructional-type positions. Because of the temporary nature of these appointments, Casual Hire employees are not eligible for most benefits provided to regular Board of Regents or Civil Service employees. Casual Hire appointments may last for up to 89 days for full-time employees, and up to 1 calendar year for part-time employees.****
Title Research Support Staff
Position Number: Casual
Vacancies available: 2
Hiring Unit: College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience (CTAHR), Maui County
Location: Maui County; Kahului, Maui, HI
Date Posted July 18, 2026
Closing Date July 31, 2026, 11:59PM HST
Salary$26.00 - $30.00 per hour; salary commensurate with experience
Full Time/Part TimeFull-time or part-time
Month11-month
Temporary/PermanentTemporary
Other Conditions These positions are subject to availability of funding and renewal is contingent upon satisfactory performance, staffing requirements, and/or availability of funding. For best consideration, all application materials should be submitted by July 31, 2026, 11:59PM HST. Complete applications and required document attachments must be submitted before close of vacancy. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed by the hiring committee. Please see application instructions.
Duties and Responsibilities
- *Assists with a variety of horticultural and agronomic, primarily field-based, activities in connection with the research and extension programs conducted at the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) sites on the island of Maui.
- *Uses basic farm equipment, materials, and/or supplies in the daily routine of agriculture research activities. Work includes the application of chemicals which require the safe application of pesticides, insecticides, herbicides and fungicides.
- *Assists in maintaining the agriculture fields and vegetation; including field preparation of experimental plots and any other related maintenance to support the research projects housed at the Maui CTAHR sites.
- *Supports faculty and staff in the conduct and completion of all phases of projects. Duties may include measuring and laying out experimental plots, fumigating, fertilizing, preparing soil, seeding and planting various crops, measuring and mixing fertilizers and applying accurately testing and adjusting pH of soil, selecting and planting seedlings and cuttings; harvesting, taking measurements and recording data and keeping records of projects as well as time spent on projects.
- *Complies with health and safety regulations, including pesticide regulations.
- *Works with the Senior APT Research Support to manage research plot allocation requests and project implementation processes.
- Works outside of business hours including evenings and/or weekends as directed.
- Other duties as assigned.
*Denotes essential function
Minimum Qualifications
- Possession of a baccalaureate degree in agriculture, agricultural engineering, plant and soil sciences or related field and 0 year(s) of progressively responsible professional experience with responsibilities for management of facilities, equipment and employees; or any equivalent combination of education and/or professional work experience which provides the required education, knowledge, skills and abilities as indicated.
- Functional knowledge of principles, practices & techniques in the area of agriculture demonstrated by knowledge, understanding & ability to apply concepts, terminology.
- Functional knowledge & understanding of principles, theories, federal & state laws, rules, regulations & systems associated with agriculture.
- Demonstrated ability to recognize problems, identify possible causes & resolve the full range problems that may commonly occur in agriculture research.
- Demonstrated ability to understand oral and written documentation, write reports and procedures, and communicate effectively in a variety of situations.
- Demonstrated ability to establish & maintain effective working relationships with internal & external organizations, groups, team members and individuals.
- Demonstrated ability to operate a personal computer, apply word processing software, and Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
- Ability to travel independently to various geographical locations in a timely manner. Requirement may be fulfilled by a valid Hawai'i Driver's license (Class 3), comparable driver's license, or other means of transportation which meets position needs.
- This position requires the application of pesticides including insecticides, herbicides and fungicides. An annual physicians' approval to use a respirator and an annual University of Hawaii Environmental Health and Safety Respiratory Certification is required.
- The applicant selected must, within (6) months from the date of hire, obtain medical clearance, training, and fit-testing to use a respirator; as well as their pesticide applicator certification.
Desirable Qualifications
- Knowledge on the proper and safe operation of basic farm equipment such as tractors, chainsaws, pesticide sprayers, lawn mowers, grass trimmers, welders , and hand tools are desirable.
- Familiarity with CTAHR research & extension facilities on Maui
TO APPLY: Click in the "Apply" button on the top right corner of the screen to complete an application and attach the required documents. If you have not applied for a position before using NeoGov, you will need to create an account.
- Cover letter indicating how you satisfy the minimum and some, if not all, desirable qualifications;
- Resume/Curriculum vitae (CV);
- Names of three (3) professional references (contact information including email address); and
- Official transcripts or original documentation from the institution confirming the degree (copies acceptable; however, official transcripts sent directly from the degree-granting institution are required upon hire).
- Any confidential data should be redacted (e.g. social security number, date of birth, etc).
- Diplomas will not be accepted.
Note: Complete applications and required document attachments must be submitted before close of vacancy. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed by the hiring committee.
Inquiries Dr. Surendra Dara, sdara@hawaii.edu
Examples of duties
The University of Hawai'i is an Equal Opportunity Institution and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment, including on the basis of veteran and disability status. For more information, visit: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/policies/
Employment is contingent on satisfying employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986; reference checks of previous employers; and for certain positions, criminal history record checks.
In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, annual campus crime statistics for the University of Hawai'i may be viewed at: https://www.hawaii.edu/titleix/help/campus-security/, or a paper copy may be obtained upon request from the respective UH Campus Security or Administrative Services Office.
In accordance with Article 10 of the unit 08 collective bargaining agreement, bargaining unit members receive priority consideration for APT job vacancies. As a result, external or non BU 08 applicants may not be considered for some APT vacancies. BU 08 members with re-employment rights or priority status are responsible for informing the hiring unit of their status.
Accommodation Request: The University of Hawai'i complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the EEO coordinator directly. Determination on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. For further information, please refer to the following link: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/accommodation-request/
