Seed Testing Jobs in Oregon (NOW HIRING)

Department:Department of Crop & Soil Science - Seed LabSpecial Instructions to Applicants:

When applying you will be required to attach the following electronic documents:

1) A resume/CV; and

2) A cover letter indicating how your qualifications and experience have prepared you for this position.

3) Transcripts: Transcripts must be submitted for all required and/or related courses. All courses must be from accredited colleges, universities, or private vocational schools.

For additional information please contact:

Lorinda Hughes

lorinda.huges@oregonstate.edu

541-737-4464

Job Summary:

This recruitment will be used to fill one full-time, short-term, Seed Analyst 2 position for the Department of Crop and Soil Science's Seed Lab at Oregon State University (OSU). This position is expected to last approximately 6-months.

Join the OSU Seed Lab as a Seed Purity Analyst 2. As the Official Seed Laboratory for the State of Oregon, the OSU Seed Lab provides testing services that support Oregon's seed industry, seed certification, regulatory programs, and customers throughout the United States and internationally.

In this position, you will independently perform complex purity testing, identify seeds and contaminants, evaluate seed quality, following domestic and international seed testing rules to produce accurate and reliable seed quality results.

Key Responsibilities:

• Perform complex purity testing on a wide variety of seed species using microscopes, magnification, precision tools, seed blowers, dividers, balances, and other specialized laboratory equipment.

• Identify and separate seed sample components, including pure seed, other crop seed, weed seed, inert matter, noxious and prohibited weeds, and other contaminants.

• Determine, document, and review test results in accordance with domestic and international seed testing rules, certification standards, regulatory requirements, laboratory procedures, and customer requests.

• Train and provide technical guidance to junior analysts, temporary employees, and student workers in seed identification, purity testing techniques, laboratory procedures, and applicable testing standards.

• Support laboratory quality and customer service by reviewing testing work for accuracy, maintaining clean and contamination-free work areas and equipment, and responding to technical questions regarding testing and reported results.

Qualifications:

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Three years of full-time experience performing purity, germination, or special tests on seeds such as Bluegrass or Bentgrass seeds and training providing the knowledge of AOSA and SCST rules for testing seeds; OR Two years of the above full-time experience and 12 quarter hours of college courses in the plant sciences such as botany, crop science, seed technology, agronomy, etc., and training providing knowledge of AOSA or SCST rules for testing seeds; OR a certificate of competency in seed testing from either AOSA or SCST and either 12 quarter hours of college courses in the plant sciences as described above or one year of the above full-time experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Previous OSU Seed Lab Experience.

• AOSA Certification in purity testing, or certification as a Registered Seed Technologist (RST). Working knowledge of AOSA and ISTA Seed Testing Rules and special requirements for Oregon Certified Seed.

Working Conditions/Schedule:Analysts will spend the majority of their time in a sitting position looking at seeds using magnification and forceps to manipulate seeds. Some work will be performed operating equipment to separate seeds and will require some sitting, standing and lifting (<20lbs). Occasionally, special projects may require some outdoor work.
This position occasionally involves working around fumes, odors, dust, noise, and pesticide chemicals.Salary Range:Min $18.05 - Max $26.20Anticipated Start Date:2026-09-14Anticipated End Date:2027-03-13

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability, protected veteran, and other protected status.

OSU will conduct a review of the National Sex Offender Public website prior to hire.
OSU is a fair chance employer committed to inclusive hiring. We encourage applications from candidates who bring a wide range of lived experience including involvement with the justice system. If this position has "critical or security-sensitive" responsibilities and/or driving duties and you are selected as a finalist, your initial job offer will be contingent upon the results of a job-related pre-employment check (such as a background check, motor vehicle history check, sexual misconduct reference check, etc.). Background check results do not automatically disqualify a candidate. Take a look at our Background Checks website including the for candidates section for more details. If you have questions or concerns about the pre-employment check, please contact OSU's Employee and Labor Relations team at employee.relations@oregonstate.edu.