Growth Facilities and Research (Forages and Service Crops) Technician

Department: Plant Agriculture
Position covered by the Collective Agreement with USW Local 4120

If you are a current employee of the University of Guelph you must apply on the internal Career Page in order to be considered as an internal applicant. 
Career Opportunities (sapsf.com) 

General Purpose

The Growth Facilities and Research (Forages and Service Crops) Technician serves a dual role in the Department of Plant Agriculture: 1) support growth facilities activities (50% of the role/time) and 2) provide technical research support to field research programs in forages and service crops (50% of the role/time). Supervision for this position is split between the Chair of the Plant Agriculture Growth Facilities Committee and a Plant Agriculture Faculty member with a field research program in forages and service crops.

As a Growth Facilities Technician, this position provides technical assistance to researchers and instructors using Plant Agriculture’s growth facilities. The department has extensive, state of the art growth facilities in two locations on the main campus. These facilities include greenhouse complexes, growth rooms and growth chambers.

Duties and Responsibilities

Duties include providing plant growth materials and supplies to growth facility users, ordering and receiving supplies, identifying problems and performing or arranging maintenance of growth facility spaces and/or equipment, helping with allocation of facility space, consulting and assisting users with setting up and monitoring their experiments, and providing training for new facility users. The successful candidate will also conduct pest and pathogen monitoring & control through an Integrative Pest Management plan in consultation with the users and will provide oversight and ensure regulatory compliance with the department’s transgenic facility, including disposal of transgenic material. Additionally, they will assist with maintaining growth space usage records and invoicing users.

As a Research Technician (Forages and Service Crops), this position provides support to field research programs involving forages (plots and/or larger scale pasture research) and cover crops, primarily at the Elora Research Station, but may also involve work at other research stations and/or on-farm trials. The work mainly relates to research surrounding forage agronomy & management (both hay and pasture), nutrient dynamics in cropping systems, and integrated crop-livestock systems. 

The successful candidate will implement field research experiments with key duties including seeding, harvesting, spraying, fertilizing, and plant and soil sampling. They will also be responsible for data collection and analysis, tasks and/or staff scheduling, equipment maintenance, and ordering field & lab supplies for the program. Additionally, they are expected to provide functional guidance support to other research personnel both in the field & lab and assist with reporting writing and budget tracking, as needed.

Requirements

Requirements of this position include: 

• A Bachelor of Science degree, with preference for a Master’s Degree in Science (M.Sc.), in an area related to agricultural science, plant science, environmental science or similar discipline, plus a minimum of two (2) years of extensive applicable field research experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Applicable experience includes carrying out agronomic field work, setting up plots, operating various agricultural equipment (i.e.: tractors, harvesters, seeders, fertilizer spreaders, etc.), as well as plant and soil sampling.  
• Knowledge of forage agriculture and common forage species in Ontario, as well as cover crops and integrated crop-livestock systems.
• Proven ability to stay organized in a busy field season, communication skills and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Experience working cooperatively in a team, including training and providing technical/functional guidance to personnel.
• Unrestricted/Valid Ontario G-class driver’s licence
• Ontario Pesticide Applicator’s Permit
• Ontario Structural Extermination License
• Experience/comfortable working around large animals
• Ability to lift up to and including 60 lbs. 

This position involves regular exposure to dusty and noisy conditions (planting, harvesting and seed cleaning); outdoor work in inclement weather (heat/cold); high temperatures and humidity in the greenhouse. Some exposure to unpleasant odours, lab chemicals, large animals/electric fences, application of pesticides may be required. Occasional need to work extended hours, including long days &/or weekends, as field work demands. Driving a University vehicle up to 20% of the time under varying road conditions. Required to be on-call for 24 hrs/day, approximately 1 week/month.

Employee Type: Regular 
Position Number: 10128058 
Classification: USW, Local 4120 Salary: Band 7  
USW Local 4120 Wage Grid

*Tentative evaluation; subject to final review.

At the University of Guelph, fostering a culture of inclusion is an institutional imperative. The University invites and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in employment, who may contribute to further diversification of our Institution.

Posting Date: 03/05/2026  
Closing Date: 03/12/2026