Agricultural Specialist I

Professional & Scientific

Bachelor’s degree

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Iowa State University is seeking an Agricultural Specialist I to support applied research and outreach efforts at the intersection of wildlife conservation and agricultural landscapes. This position is part of the Wildlife Conservation and Wildlife Habitat Relationships program led by Dr. Adam Janke and plays a key role in advancing research that informs conservation practices across agricultural systems.

This is a hands-on, field-focused position ideal for candidates interested in wildlife ecology, conservation, and agricultural sustainability.

Duties include:

• Support data collection across multiple applied research and outreach projects focused on conservation and agricultural systems

• Conduct wildlife studies within working agricultural landscapes

• Manage, enter, and maintain datasets to ensure accuracy, consistency, and data quality

• Maintain, troubleshoot, and organize field equipment used for data collection

• Coordinate and manage landowner permissions to support field-based research activities

• Collaborate with graduate students and undergraduate staff to ensure efficient and effective data collection

• Identify, evaluate, and monitor appropriate locations for field-based research

• Conduct GIS analyses to support project planning, implementation, and evaluation

• Analyze data and contribute to reports, summaries, and project documentation

• Consult with project leadership on research findings

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Ecology or related field
• Experience conducting bird monitoring on farms
• Experience conducting acoustic recording unit (ARU) surveys
• Experience conducting geospatial analysis in GIS or related technologies

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.

Application Instructions:
To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:

Resume/Curriculum Vitae

Letter of Application/Cover Letter

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.

Regular with Term Appointment (Fixed Term)

September 30, 2026

12 Month Work Period

Full time

PS805

May 1, 2026

May 7, 2026

R19102

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 website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Iowa State University is seeking an Agricultural Specialist I to support applied research and outreach efforts at the intersection of wildlife conservation and agricultural landscapes. This position is part of the Wildlife Conservation and Wildlife Habitat Relationships program led by Dr. Adam Janke and plays a key role in advancing research that informs conservation practices across agricultural systems. This is a hands-on, field-focused position ideal for candidates interested in wildlife ecology, conservation, and agricultural sustainability. Duties include:Support data collection across multiple applied research and outreach projects focused on conservation and agricultural systems. Conduct wildlife studies within working agricultural landscapes. Manage, enter, and maintain datasets to ensure accuracy, consistency, and data quality. Maintain, troubleshoot, and organize field equipment used for data collection. Coordinate and manage landowner permissions to support field-based research activities. Collaborate with graduate students and undergraduate staff to ensure efficient and effective data collection. Identify, evaluate, and monitor appropriate locations for field-based research. Conduct GIS analyses to support project planning, implementation, and evaluation. Analyze data and contribute to reports, summaries, and project documentation. Consult with project leadership on research findings. Preferred Qualifications. Bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Ecology or related field. Experience conducting bird monitoring on farms. Experience conducting acoustic recording unit (ARU) surveys. Experience conducting geospatial analysis in GIS or related technologies. 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.

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