Closing Date:
Researchers
Workstudy Position:
No
Regular
Sponsorship Available:
No
Division of Agriculture of the University of Arkansas
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is a state wide campus, with faculty based on University campuses, at Research and Extension Centers and in every Arkansas county. It consists of the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station (AES) and the Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service (CES), and is home to more than 1400 employees. The Division was established in 1959 and is headed by the Vice-President for Agriculture. The Division headquarters is located in Little Rock with the rest of the University of Arkansas System Administration. As an employer, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers a vibrant work environment and a workplace culture that promotes a healthy work-life balance.
Below you will find the details for the position including any supplementary documentation and questions you should review before applying for the opening. To apply for the position, please click theApply link/button.
If you have a disability and need assistance with the hiring process and require reasonable accommodations, please contact the Division's Office of Program & Employment Compliance at compliance@uada.edu
For general application assistance or if you have questions about a job posting, please contact Human Resources at 501-671-2219 or 479-502-9820.
Field Crops * Soils Specialist
Department's Website:
https://crop-soil-environmental-sciences.uark.edu/
The job duties for the Program Associate include:
Field & Research Activities (30%)
• Assist with the design, establishment, and management of station-based and on-farm research trials.
• Collect and process soil and plant data following established protocols.
• Assist with planting, fertilizing, spraying, irrigating, harvesting, and general field operations.
• Support installation and maintenance of monitoring equipment (e.g., sensors, UAV platforms, data loggers).
• Ensure quality control and accurate implementation of project protocols.
• Coordinate directly with producers and collaborators during on-farm research activities.
Data Management & Analysis (20%)
• Organize, clean, and manage agronomic datasets.
• Conduct data entry and preliminary analysis.
• Assist with data visualization and summarization for reports and presentations.
Extension & Educational Support (30%)
• Assist in developing Extension materials (e.g., handouts, fact sheets, reports, videos, presentations, and online content).
• Support preparation of annual reports, grant reports, and stakeholder updates.
• Assist with organization and coordination of field days, workshops, and hands-on trainings.
• Contribute to translating research findings into producer-focused educational materials.
Program Coordination & Administration (20%)
• Assist with procurement, supply tracking, and basic administrative documentation.
• Help coordinate timelines, logistics, and communication across projects.
• Supervise and train student workers and temporary staff as needed.
• Maintain organized project records and documentation.
Minimum Qualifications
· Bachelor’s degree in Agronomy, Soil Science, Crop Science, or related field plus three (3) years of relevant experience OR a related Master’s degree.
· Experience conducting field-based agronomic research.
· Experience collecting and processing soil and plant samples.
Preferred Qualifications
· Experience working directly with agricultural producers.
· Experience with data management and analysis (Excel required; R or Python preferred).
· Familiarity with precision agriculture tools (UAVs, proximal sensors, etc.) and handling geospatial data.
· Experience preparing Extension materials, reports, or educational content.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Strong written and verbal communication skills with proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel.
· Ability to work outdoors in varying environmental conditions and willingness to travel statewide as needed.
· Ability or willingness to obtain Arkansas Pesticide Applicator License and FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot License.
· Valid driver’s license.
· Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
· Willingness to learn new technologies and tools.
· Strong organizational and time-management skills.
· High attention to detail and commitment to data accuracy.
· Ability to work independently while maintaining strong communication with supervisor and team members.
· Professionalism, accountability, and integrity.
· Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Additional Information:
Salary Information:
Commensurate with education and experience
Required Documents to Apply:
Cover Letter/Letter of Application, List of three Professional References (name, email, business title), Resume
Optional Documents:
Recruitment Contact Information:
Tabatha Gonzalez, Dept. Manager, tgonzalez@uada.edu
All application materials must be uploaded to the University of Arkansas System Career Site https://uasys.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/UASYS
Please do not send to listed recruitment contact.
Motor Vehicle Reports Check
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture may conduct pre-employment background checks on certain positions for applicants being considered for employment.The background checks may include a criminal background check and a sex offender registry check.Required checks are identified in the position listing.A criminal background check or arrest pending adjudication information alone shall not disqualify an applicant in the absences of a relationship to the requirements of the position.Background check information will be used in a consistent, non-discriminatory manner consistent with the state and federal law.
The University of Arkansas is an equal opportunity institution. The University does not discriminate in its education programs or activities (including in admission and employment) on the basis of any category or status protected by law, including age, race, color, national origin, disability, religion, protected veteran status, military service, genetic information, sex, sexual preference, or pregnancy. Questions or concerns about the application of Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, may be sent to the University’s Title IX Coordinator and to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.
Persons must have proof of legal authority to work in the United States on the first day of employment.
All application information is subject to public disclosure under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.
Driving, Sitting, Talking
Manipulate items with fingers, including keyboarding, Standing, Walking
Crouching, Kneeling, Lifting
Yes

Since its inception, the University of Arkansas System has developed a tradition of excellence that includes the state’s 1871 flagship, land-grant research university; Arkansas’s premier institution for medical education, treatment and research; a major metropolitan university; an 1890 land-grant university; two regional universities serving southern and western Arkansas; seven community colleges; two schools of law; a presidential school; a residential math and science high school; a 100 percent-online university and divisions of agriculture, archeology and criminal justice. The individual entities of the UA System maintain cooperative strength as well as diverse offerings that exhibit unmatched economic and social impact to the state.
The University of Arkansas System provides communities in Arkansas with access to academic and professional opportunities, develops intellectual growth and cultural awareness in its students and provides knowledge and research skills to an ever-changing society. The system enrolls more than 70,000 students, employs over 27,000 employees, and has a total budget of over $4 billion. An intrinsic part of the texture and fabric of Arkansas, the UA System is a driving force in the state’s economic, educational and cultural advancement.
As an employer, the University of Arkansas offers a vibrant work environment and a workplace culture that promotes a healthy work-life balance. The benefits package includes university contributions to health, dental, life and disability insurance, tuition waivers for employees and their families, 12 official holidays, immediate leave accrual, and a choice of retirement programs with university contributions ranging from 5 to 10% of employee salary.