Office Specialist 2: OSU Seed Lab

Important Notifications:

Application Deadline: When applying, please keep in mind this posting will close at 11:59 pm the night before the posted "end date". Applications MUST be submitted prior to this deadline.

Current Employees: Do not apply via the OSU Career site. Instead, please login to your regular Workday account and visit the Jobs Hub to apply.

Department:Crop & Soil Science

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Special Instructions to Applicants:

To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by November 6, 2026. Applications will continue to be accepted after the full consideration date, until a sufficient applicant pool has been achieved or the position is filled. The closing date is subject to change without notice 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. 

Starting salary will be commensurate with skills, education, and experience.

For additional information please contact:

Lorinda Hughes

[email protected]

541-737-4464

Job Summary:

This recruitment will be used to fill one full-time Office Specialist 2 position for the Seed Laboratory in the Department of Crop & Soil Science at Oregon State University.
OSU Seed Laboratory exists to provide quality control information to local to international seed customers, such as growers, cleaners, dealers, Oregon Seed Certification participants, Oregon Department of Agriculture, researchers, private companies or individuals and other various programs for the purposes of including but not limited to research, information, labeling, marketing and shipping.

Key Responsibilities:

• Receive and process incoming seed samples, reviewing samples and documentation for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with laboratory, quality, and customer requirements.
• Coordinate daily sample intake and workflow, prioritizing and preparing samples, work cards, labels, and documentation for timely distribution to laboratory testing units.
• Enter and verify sample information and testing requests in the Seed Lab’s database with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Communicate with customers to clarify sample information and testing requests, answer questions, explain testing requirements, and help resolve issues before testing begins.
• Provide administrative and reception support, including assisting customers by phone, email, and in person; processing mail; maintaining records; and supporting general office operations.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

• Two years of general clerical experience. One year of which included typing, word processing, or other experience generating documents; OR
  An Associate's degree in Office Occupations or Office Technology; OR
  Graduation from a private school of business with a Certificate in Office Occupations or Office Technology and one year of general clerical experience.
  College courses in Office Occupations or Office Technology will substitute for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.

• Experience with Microsoft Suite applications.
• Demonstrated ability to take direction and work in a fast-paced office environment while maintaining focus with a high level of attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as a team member.
• Demonstrated ability to work with a broad group of internal and external customers with varying backgrounds, needs, and identities and personality types.
• Demonstrated ability of a positive growth mindset to interact and contribute successfully and inclusively with the diverse team.

This position is designated as a critical or security-sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a criminal history check and be determined to be position qualified as per University Standard: 05-010 et seq. Incumbents are required to self-report convictions and those in youth programs may have additional criminal history checks every 24 months.

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 as per University Policy 05-030.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience performing complex procedures in accordance with established standard operating procedures (SOPs) where a high degree of accuracy is required.
• Experience providing administrative or clerical support to a program, office, or laboratory environment.
• Demonstrated strong attention to detail, including the ability to identify errors and discrepancies in one’s own work and the work of others.
• Knowledge of Seed Certification and/or the OUS Seed Lab’s procedures, standards, or regulatory requirements.
• Experience working with Oregon Seed Certification and OSU Seed Laboratory procedures.
• Experience working within a laboratory Quality Management System (QMS), including controlled documents, quality assurance activities, and internal audits.
• Experience using customized databases for data entry, record maintenance, and information retrieval.
• Working knowledge of and experience with ISTA, AOSA, and Canada Seed Testing M&P.

Working Conditions/Schedule:Work is performed in a laboratory and open-office environment with moderate noise and frequent activity. The regular work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with a half-hour lunch period.
The Seed Lab experiences its peak workload during the summer and early fall. Due to operational and staffing needs during this period, vacation leave may be restricted and is generally not approved during peak season.
This position occasionally requires lifting, carrying, and moving materials weighing up to 20 pounds.Salary Range:$19.36 - $28.75Anticipated Start Date:2026-11-16Anticipated End Date:

When applying, please keep in mind this posting will close at 11:59 pm the night before the posted "end date". Applications MUST be submitted prior to this deadline.

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 [email protected].