Job Summary:

Seed Laboratory Manager, Crop and Soil Science Department, Oregon State University.
Position is a full time, 12-month fixed-term professional faculty position. Salary is commensurate with education and experience.

To review posting and apply, go to http://jobs.oregonstate.edu/postings/21009.

OSU is an AA/EOE/Vets/Disabled.

This position provides leadership and management of the Oregon State University Seed Laboratory (OSU Seed Lab) with the overall responsibility of managing for quality and effective service and leading the improvement and innovation process to respond to anticipated needs in the seed industry.

The Seed Laboratory Manager is expected to foster a safe, secure and trusting work environment.
With a commitment to productivity, this position will focus on building teamwork by supporting collaboration and promoting engagement that will afford employees the opportunity to realize their highest potential.
Will manage staffing and budget to ensure fiscal responsibility and continuity of service to the Oregon seed industry.
Educate customers and provide a constant learning opportunity for the staff.
Promotes the development of new testing procedures and represent the laboratory in local, state, national and international meetings.

OSU commits to inclusive excellence by advancing equity and diversity in all that we do. We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, and particularly encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ community members, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community.

Position Duties:

20% Leadership and Management

Provide supervision and direction for the OSU Seed Lab. Provide leadership for a change process that adapts to the constantly changing seed industry. Introduce improvement and innovations in seed testing services.

20% Customer Service and Education

Develop a culture that cares for the needs of customers. Listen and encourage the unit supervisors and staff to consider the customers’ current and anticipated needs so that the improvements can be aligned with those needs or opportunities. Provide educational information on how the OSU Seed Lab can assist its customers. Mediate and resolve specific testing issues related to the OSU Seed Lab services.
Promote and provide direction for the educational function of the laboratory. Provide formal and informal training and education activities within the OSU Seed Lab, the University and the seed industry.
Communicate with the OSU Seed Lab customers through formal/informal presentations, workshops, open houses, demonstrations, laboratory tours, written updates, webpages, videos and emails. Provide outreach to private Oregon seed laboratories, growers, cleaners, dealers, buyers and students through applicable educational services.
Work with the Oregon Seed Services program, Crop and Soil Science department, Oregon Department of Agriculture, advisory committees, the Association of Official Seed Analysts (AOSA), the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA), private and public Northwest seed laboratories and others to refine and improve seed laboratory standards, policies, and procedures to better serve the Oregon seed industry.

15% Development of Methods and Procedures

Promote and provide direction for the improvement and development of better methods and procedures to test seed and to deliver the new knowledge to the customers. Assist the unit leaders to plan the research, development and implementation of more efficient and streamlined testing methods for both short-term and long-term needs. This may include research, validations, seed industry education and development of AOSA or ISTA rule proposals. Capitalize on creative ideas of internal staff, industry members and other laboratories.

15% Supervision

Assign, review, and approve the work and goals for assigned staff and measure performance through written evaluations. Act on disciplinary issues, up to and including dismissal; address grievances, and develop a framework for corrective action, as necessary.

15% Staff Development

Staff development includes technical, communication, productivity and teamwork skills. This includes a safe, secure and trusting work environment of continuous learning and accountability in the lab. Along with unit leaders, identify and organize training and other learning mechanisms to develop the skills of the laboratory staff. Facilitate and provide the necessary support to unit supervisors on all aspects of staff development including joint internal identification of training needs, planning organized training events, continuous on-the-job learning, development of conflict management skills, development of materials and other resources needed for training and learning. Assist in the direct training of staff as needed.

10% Management of Budget and Resources

In cooperation with the Director of Oregon Seed Services develop a strategy for meeting yearly budget targets and to assure the long term laboratory service goals. Research opportunities and lead the lab towards a more diversified revenue base. Use base resources (budget, staff, equipment, methods, computer technologies, etc.) to improve services, while controlling costs. Seek opportunities to secure additional funds through grants or resources (through graduate students, retired experienced staff, etc.) to assure staffing capacity. 5% Networking, Representation and Benchmarking This position will represent the seed lab in committees and programs at university, state, national and international levels and will sign test results and is accountable for test report content. This position will contribute to the goals of the Oregon Seed Certification and the Oregon Seed Services program by acting as a resource person in cooperation with the Seed Certification manager, Director of Seed Services and the Department of Crop and Soil Science faculty and staff. Beyond Oregon, serve as Oregon’s representative to AOSA and ISTA.

Minimum Qualifications:

Two to three years’ experience in management responsibilities. BS degree in Agronomy, Crop Science, Botany, Natural Resources and/or related area required. Candidate must have good communication and computer skills, including proficiency in standard office software such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Minimum/Required Qualifications: Must have at least three years working in the seed testing, sampling and/or seed research area. Candidate must demonstrate a commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity. This position requires driving a University vehicle or a personal vehicle on behalf of the University; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a Motor Vehicle History Check, possess and maintain a current, valid driver’s license in their state of residence, be determined to be position qualified and self-report convictions.

Preferred Qualifications:

Certified Seed analyst or RST accreditation in germination, purity or both and/or MBA or similar level degree, with rule or technical writing experience. Demonstrate ability in experimental design and data analysis.

To review posting and apply, go to http://jobs.oregonstate.edu/postings/21009.