Nashua, IA
Full time
R19819
Position Title:Agricultural Specialist II - Northeast Research Farm
Job Group:Professional & Scientific
Required Minimum Qualifications:Bachelor's degree and 2 years of related experience
Job Description:
Iowa State University's Northeast Research Farm in Nashua, Iowa, is seeking an Agricultural Specialist II to support agronomic research and farm operations. This hands-on position will operate and maintain tractors and other farm machinery, support field research activities, troubleshoot agricultural systems, and help maintain farm facilities and infrastructure.
The successful candidate will work closely with faculty, researchers, staff, students, and external partners to support safe and efficient research farm operations. Experience operating and maintaining agricultural equipment is essential; experience with agronomic research or research plots is also beneficial. This is an excellent opportunity for an agricultural professional who enjoys hands-on equipment work, problem-solving, field operations, and supporting agricultural research.
What You'll Do
Operate, maintain, troubleshoot, repair, and modify agricultural and research equipment, including tractors, tillage, planting, spraying, fertilization, and harvest equipment.
Diagnose and address mechanical, hydraulic, electrical, electronic, GPS, and other equipment and farm system issues; coordinate repairs with vendors and service providers as needed.
Support agronomic research projects by operating equipment and performing field activities including planting, spraying, soil sampling, crop scouting, harvesting, and data collection.
Coordinate maintenance of farm facilities and infrastructure, including drainage systems, wetlands, bioreactors, buildings, water systems, and grounds.
Maintain accurate equipment, farm operation, and research records and support research data collection and quality assurance.
Provide technical guidance to staff, students, faculty, and equipment users involved in research and farm operations.
Support field days, educational programs, stakeholder events, and Northeast Research Farm association activities.
Coordinate scheduling, setup, and routine upkeep of the Borlaug Learning Center.
Transport harvested grain to local elevators and perform other duties and special projects as assigned.
Why Join Us
At Iowa State University, you'll have the opportunity to apply your agricultural and equipment expertise to research that directly benefits Iowa farmers and producers. The Northeast Research Farm conducts applied research that helps inform decisions about products, practices, application timing, and crop management.
This position combines equipment operation and maintenance with field research and problem-solving, providing an opportunity to contribute to projects with practical applications across Iowa. You'll collaborate with faculty, researchers, students, producers, and industry partners to generate and share information that advances agricultural practices.
We're looking for someone with strong agricultural knowledge, practical problem-solving skills, and an interest in applying their expertise to research that makes a difference.
Learn more about the Northeast Research and Demonstration Farm (https://farms.cals.iastate.edu/project/northeast-research-and-demonstration-farm) , its research programs, facilities, and impact on Iowa agriculture.
Preferred Qualifications
Bachelor's in Agriculture or related field
Experience with farm research work or agronomic research plots
Experience operating, repairing, and maintaining farm machinery used to conduct research on field plots
Experience collecting, recording, and summarizing research data
Experience observing, diagnosing, and providing remedies to crops
Pesticide Applicator's Certification
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.
This posting will remain Open Until Filled.
Why Choose Iowa State University?Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental, as well as:
Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
Generous vacation, holiday, and sick time and leave plans
Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)
Life insurance and long-term disability
Flexible Spending Accounts
Various voluntary benefits and discounts
Employee Assistance Program
Wellbeing program
If you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment@iastate.edu, or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.
Appointment Type:Regular
Number of Months Employed Per Year:12 Month Work Period
Time Type:Full time
Pay Grade:PS806
Original Posting Date: August 25, 2026
Posting Close Date:
Job Requisition Number:R19819
Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email eooffice@iastate.edu.
General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources (https://www.hr.iastate.edu/careers/compensation) website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.
Current employees (excluding temporary, student and graduate assistants) must apply through the Workday Internal Careers Hub (https://www.myworkday.com/isu/d/task/2998$46522.htmld?reloadToken=892f884ef9c2fa7e5e6257ecf4e9e942f7aa1a12df75918c6ce41bc78e123167) .
By focusing on the future and providing the best student experience possible, Iowa State University (http://www.iastate.edu/) attracts students and faculty who want to make a difference. With a comprehensive?land-grant?mission of education, research, extension and outreach, we produce scholars whose ideas change the world. And through Innovate at Iowa State, we provide innovative and entrepreneurial opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Located just 30 minutes north of Des Moines, the city of Ames was recently named one of the Top 10 cities in the U.S. for campus life and career opportunities.
Iowa State University is a welcoming community of students, faculty, and staff. Campus community members have a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and are committed to engaging with each other respectfully as outlined in the university's Principles of Community (https://www.iastate.edu/principles-community) . Iowa State recognizes that diverse intellectual and philosophical perspectives are vital to innovation, critical thinking skills, and a dynamic academic community that fosters the land-grant ideals of putting science, technology, and human creativity to work.
All offers of employment, oral and written, are contingent upon the university's verification of credentials and other information required by federal and state law, ISU policies/procedures, and may include the completion of a background check and/or a consumer credit check.
Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email eooffice@iastate.edu.
If you have questions about the application process please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll-Free at 1-877-477-7485. Iowa State University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should email employment@iastate.edu or call (515) 294-4800 or Toll-Free: (877) 477-7485. TTY users are welcome to use the Iowa Relay Service number by dialing 7-1-1 or (800) 735-2942.
General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources (https://www.hr.iastate.edu/careers/compensation) website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.
