Job Information
Iowa Soybean Association ISA Conservation Team Intern in Ankeny, Iowa
OBJECTIVE: To assist the ISA Research Center for Farming Innovation with Conservation Team programs and projects. The employee will be expected to collect water quality, soil, and plant samples; conduct crop scouting and support geospatial analysis; process and organize data; and assist with data analysis. The data and information will be used to help ISA improve the productivity and sustainability of crop production in Iowa.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Assist Regional and Conservation Agronomists in execution of on-farm research and conservation implementation projects.
Assist ISA Research on water sample collection throughout the state. Includes taking samples at defined locations and collecting samples that are dropped off at collection points.
Interact with farmers in a professional manner to execute experiments and data collection.
Collect soil and plant samples from farm fields.
Ability to take direction and work independently
Ability to enter and work with data collected using commonly used tools (Excel, Word, etc.).
With proper training, conduct crop scouting and use aerial imagery for pests, disease, and different stresses.
Participate in research discussions and planning meetings.
Assist in other ISA Research program areas as needed.
COMPETENCIES
Basic understanding of crop production and conservation systems.
Data collection and management
Demonstrated initiative
Attentive listening
Detailed record keeping
Oral and written communication
TRAVEL
This position requires frequent travel. Travel will be within Iowa using company vehicles and will normally be completed within normal business hours.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY
This position has no supervisory responsibility.
REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Ability to work efficiently on individual and team projects
Strong writing and oral communication skills
High level familiarity with farming practices, agricultural conservation, and water quality
Undergraduate degree (AA/S or BA/S), in progress or completed, with a focus in agriculture or environmental science
PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Experience in agronomy or environmental science and field data collection and analysis preferred or comparable experience within agriculture.
Experience conducting or assisting in research trials.
Understanding of production agriculture and agricultural conservation practices preferred.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to manipulate objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
This job operates in a professional office environment and field settings. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. Much of the work will be outside in farm fields and other outdoor settings and may occasionally involve inclement weather. In some cases, the employee will be around large tractors and other agricultural equipment.