Agriculture & Integrated Pest Management Program Assistant

Work with the Institute of Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Extension on agriculture and forestry related pest and invasive species detection, management and education. This dynamic position involves participation in research activities, and turning those research findings into educational programs for the public and professionals. Research projects are conducted with a team of researchers, undergraduate and graduate students that coordinate to perform activities. The position is responsible for learning research procedures to set up treatments, and collect, organize and summarize data. The research technician will lead work of graduate and student assistants to perform research activities in uniform ways. Most research is located at the Matanuska and Fairbanks Experiment farms, and some is conducted off site and in remote locations.

Outreach and education are essential to this position, and the candidate will work with faculty and other staff to organize and deliver virtual and in person workshops and conferences. Virtual education is provided through video broadcast classes, Canvas courses and websites. In-person workshops and conferences are organized in collaboration with faculty and external partners to deliver a wide variety of information to the public and professionals on invasive species topics. This position will participate in organizing and hosting these events, managing registration, and contracts. The candidate will provide poster and/or oral presentations at workshops and conferences.

Our team collects data from the public and directed field surveys on the location of invasive species. Public collected data comes from community science projects where participants utilize mobile applications or web forms found on existing platforms. Directed surveys are conducted in collaboration with other agencies. Working with the public the candidate will help identify weeds and pests of concern and provide advice on their control

Come work on exciting projects in invasive species and pest detection and management in Alaska, and help turn those projects into educational programs designed to facilitate the public and professionals to adopt recommendations stemming from research. Work is located in Fairbanks at the Tanana District office with frequent summer work on the Fairbanks Experiment farm located near the Georgeson Botanical Garden. Regular interaction with the public at the office, and events are critical to providing the public with usable information and keeping the team's research informed by the problems the public and professionals are encountering. Working with community groups such as Soil and Water Conservation Districts, the Farm Bureau, Alaska Invasive Species Partnership, Alaska Community Forest Council, and others are essential to community engagement.

To thrive in this role the applicant must be able to work in a team environment with little supervision. It is necessary to be flexible and able to learn a variety of different skills and techniques to perform research projects. Excellent communication is essential to disseminate information to the public and professionals, and understand individuals pest management needs.

Minimum Qualifications:

Two years college coursework in field relevant to the research (e.g. science, math, business) and two years experience in a field relevant to the research or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

Two years college coursework in biology, agronomy, horticulture, natural resource management, entomology or related field, and two years of experience in a field relevant to integrated pest management, plant sciences, and/or entomology or equivalent combination of training and experience.

Alaska Driver’s License or the ability to obtain one.
Alaska Pesticide Applicator Certification in Consultation & Demonstration, and research (Category 2, and 14), or ability to obtain certification within 6 months of employment.

Position Details:

This position is located on the Troth Yeddha' campus in Fairbanks Alaska. This is a part-time, term-funded, non-exempt staff position complete with both a competitive salary and full employee benefits package. UA provides a generous compensation package that includes retirement options, annual leave, 12 paid holidays per year, tuition waivers for employees and family members, and affordable medical, dental and vision care coverage. New hires will be placed on the UA Staff Salary Schedule, Grade 77, based on education and experience.

Applications will be accepted for review on April 10, 2026, to ensure consideration, please apply by 11:55 PM, Alaska Standard Time on DAY BEFORE REVIEW DATE April 09, 2026. Submission of an application does not guarantee review or a job offer.

The University of Alaska (UA) reserves the right to require employees to work on-site at the UA facilities. Hybrid and remote work may be approved for employees based in Alaska at the University's discretion. Remote work for employees based outside the State of Alaska may be approved only in exceptional circumstances or when required by the position's job duties.

📃To view the full list of job responsibilities, please click HERE.

☎️If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Kenna Metivier, Signers' Business Office at kjmetivier@alaska.edu or 907-474-1847

*To be eligible for this position, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction.  Applicants who now or may in the future require visa sponsorship to work in the United States are not eligible.

This position is a term-funded position and is reviewed annually for contract renewal at the University's discretion.

The University of Alaska (UA) is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing this application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact the ADA team at ua-ada@alaska.edu.

The University of Alaska (www.alaska.edu) is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access Employer and Educational Institution.  The University is committed to a policy of non-discrimination (www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination) against individuals on the basis of any legally protected status.

The successful applicant is required to complete a background check. Any offer of employment is contingent on the background check.

Your application for employment with the University of Alaska is subject to public disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act.

All employees at the University of Alaska are expected to uphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalism when conducting or engaged in university business.

*Each university within the University of Alaska system publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report which contains information regarding campus safety and security including topics such as: campus law enforcement authority; crime reporting policies; campus alerts (Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications); fire safety policies and procedures; programs to prevent dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking; the procedures the University will follow when one of these crimes is reported; and other matters of importance related to security on campus. The report also contains information about crime statistics for the three most recent calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in On-Campus Student Housing Facilities; in Noncampus buildings or property owned or controlled by the University or a recognized student organization; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus.  The report also contains fire statistics for any fires occurring in an On-Campus Student Housing Facility during the three most recent calendar years.  

Access to the reports is available at:

UAA: (Addresses Anchorage campus, Aviation Technology Complex, JBER - Elmendorf Extension, JBER - Richardson Extension, Kenai Peninsula College - Kachemak Bay campus, Kenai Peninsula College - Kenai River campus, Kodiak College, Kodiak High School Extension, Matanuska-Susitna College, Prince William Sound College, and Prince William Sound College - Cordova Extension) Online: https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/students/safety. Request a paper copy in person: UAA Police Department Office at Room 114 of Eugene Short Hall on the Anchorage campus / UAA Dean of Students Office at Room 122 of Rasmuson Hall on the Anchorage campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-786-1120 or police@uaa.alaska.edu / 907-786-1214 or uaa_deanofstudents@alaska.edu. 

UAF: (Addresses Fairbanks Campus, Bristol Bay Campus, Chukchi Campus, Community and Technical College, Kasitsna Bay Campus, Seward Marine Center, Tok Campus, Kuskokwim Campus, and Northwest Campus) Online: https://www.uaf.edu/orca/files/ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: UAF Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability on the 3rd Floor of Constitution Hall. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-474-7300 or uaf-orca@alaska.edu.

UAS: (Addresses the Juneau Auke Bay Campus, Juneau Technical Education Center, Sitka Campus, & Ketchikan Campus) Online: https://uas.alaska.edu/equity-and-compliance/docs/clery/UAS_ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: Hendrickson Building, Suite 202 on the Juneau campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-796-6371 or emailing uas.clery@alaska.edu.