Farm Equipment Operator

The Delta Research and Extension Center is hiring a Farm Equipment Operator to support cotton, corn, wheat, soybean, and rice research in Stoneville. The operator works with the Farm Supervisor and Farm Manager across land preparation, planting, crop care, pesticide application, harvest, and day-to-day field maintenance. Responsibilities • Prepare and lay out fields for research planting • Operate tractors with multiple implements, combines, and cotton pickers • Spray, weigh, measure, count, collect soil and plant materials, and support plot data collection • Mix, handle, and apply pesticides under established procedures • Plant, cultivate, and harvest research crops • Hand hoe and complete other field-maintenance work where machinery is not appropriate • Track supplies and equipment, clean machinery, and keep facilities orderly • Complete other farm duties assigned by the supervisor Qualifications Applicants need a high school diploma, six months of directly related experience, and six months of general work experience, or an equivalent combination. A valid driver's license is required. The selected employee must obtain a certified pesticide applicator certificate within 90 days or complete the applicable worker/handler training. Candidates should understand farm operations, operate equipment safely, and follow detailed instructions. This is a full-time, 12-month position assigned to salary grade 11; the job posting does not provide a dollar range. The role includes heavy outdoor work in extreme weather and regular lifting, pushing, or pulling up to 50 pounds. Funding must remain available. Applications are reviewed until the role is filled through Mississippi State's direct portal.