About Olds College Of Agriculture & Technology
Founded in 1913, Olds College of Agriculture & Technology has been offering high quality hands-on education for over a century. Through our core programming including continuing education, online and blended programming, we provide accessible educational opportunities within Alberta and beyond. We are passionate about the Agriculture industry. Through our applied research and integrated learning, we are proud to be Canada’s Smart Agriculture College, specializing in agriculture, agrifood, horticulture, land and environmental stewardship. We work closely with industry to advance and adapt our programming to ensure our graduates have the skills to succeed.
The Opportunity - Production Techgronomist (full-time, permanent)
The Production Techgronomist serves as an important bridge between advanced agricultural technology and foundational agronomic practices within the Olds College Smart Farm ecosystem. This role leverages data collection, analytics, and precision hardware to make informed, data-driven decisions that optimize crop production, improve net revenue, enhance soil and water health, and support the Smart Farm’s agricultural ecosystems. By integrating telematics, agronomy, and agricultural equipment control systems with daily farming operations, the Production Techgronomist ensures the Smart Farm remains at the cutting edge of responsible agricultural innovation and applied research.
At an operational level, this position is responsible for executing advanced zone management strategies, addressing soil variability, and deploying precision fertility and Integrated Pest Management plans. The Production Techgronomist will actively troubleshoot agricultural hardware, utilize digital farming systems, and manage on-farm technology and devices to streamline production workflows. Additionally, this role requires the hands-on operation of farm equipment during the critical seeding, spraying, and harvesting operations of the Smart Farm. Beyond field-level agronomy, the role requires strong business acumen and client relations skills, collaborating directly with researchers, students, and industry partners to translate complex spatial data into actionable, effective solutions for both crop and integrated livestock enterprises across the College.
Reporting to the Senior Manager of the Smart Farm, the Production Techgronomist represents a unique opportunity to shape the future of digital agriculture in a world-class applied research environment. This role is instrumental to the daily functioning and long-term performance of the Olds College Smart Farm, serving as the on-the-ground expert who seamlessly integrates cutting-edge precision technology with practical, sustainable agronomic practices. By bridging the gap between advanced data analytics and field-level execution, the individual will directly drive the optimization of crop yields, profitability, soil health, and resource efficiency across the College's diverse agricultural enterprises.
In this position, the Production Techgronomist will actively elevate the farm's operational performance by managing complex digital farming systems, troubleshooting agricultural equipment hardware, and translating spatial data into highly precise zone management strategies. Working collaboratively with farm operations staff, applied research teams, and academic faculty, they will ensure that innovative agronomic plans and precision applications are executed in the field. The Production Techgronomist will also be highly involved in the practical day-to-day operational tasks necessary to maintain the Smart Farm. This hands-on commitment encompasses heavy equipment operation, livestock production support, and executing all other operational tasks related to the multiple diverse enterprises of the Olds College Smart Farm. Ultimately, this role not only enhances the daily productivity of the Smart Farm but also solidifies Olds College's reputation as a premier testing ground for responsible, technology-driven agricultural solutions.
Key Job Functions
Precision Techgronomy & Applied Operations
- Digital Infrastructure & Data Management: Manage and optimize on-farm digital networks, including telematics, IoT sensors, and cloud-based data collection platforms, ensuring accurate, high-quality spatial data is captured to support both commercial farm production, academic projects, and applied research trials.
- Precision Zone Management: Develop and execute digital zone management strategies by analyzing agronomic data to implement variable-rate fertility, precise seeding prescriptions, and targeted pest management plans that optimize soil health and crop performance.
- Equipment Operation & Hardware Integration: Operate agricultural machinery while simultaneously configuring, calibrating, and proactively troubleshooting in-cab displays, precision electronics, and advanced implement control systems during planting, spraying, and harvesting operations.
- Agricultural Ecosystem Stewardship: Apply scientific principles to increase functional soil health, water and soil moisture dynamics, and overall plant health, making data-driven agronomic decisions that align with the Smart Farm's mandate for environmental stewardship and sustainable production.
- Cross-Enterprise Operational Execution: Provide hands-on, daily operational support across the Smart Farm’s diverse mixed enterprises, seamlessly transitioning from highly technical crop production tasks to actively supporting livestock handling, grazing management, and general farm maintenance.
- Applied Research Collaboration: Serve as the technical and agronomic liaison for Smart Farm research projects, facilitating the on-the-ground testing, validation, and demonstration of emerging agricultural technologies alongside researchers, academic faculty, and industry partners.
Agronomic Data Management & Analytics
- Centralized Farm Data Administration: Manage and maintain comprehensive digital field records utilizing farm management platforms, such as AgExpert, ensuring all operational data from equipment telematics, IoT sensors, and third-party contractors is accurately synced and organized to establish a single source of truth for the Smart Farm.
- Data-Driven Crop Planning: Analyze historical agronomic data, soil variability metrics, and spatial maps stored within decision-support tools to drive strategic pre-season crop planning, enabling the creation of precise, data-backed variable-rate seeding and fertility prescriptions.
- In-Season Crop Protection Tracking: Meticulously record and analyze in-season operational data, including sprayer application sheets, chemical usage, and environmental variables within AgExpert to inform timely, targeted crop protection interventions while ensuring strict regulatory compliance and environmental stewardship.
- Harvest Analytics & Performance Evaluation: Consolidate, verify, and upload all end-of-season harvest data including digital yield maps, grain moisture levels, and total harvested silage/forage weights into farm management software to evaluate overall crop performance, assess field-level profitability, and inform future agronomic decision-making.
Safety & Cultural Modeling
- Model and ensure all operations are executed with Safe Work Procedures and a Daily Hazard Assessment.
- Actively promote a Respectful Workplace, Code of Conduct, and Health and Safety policies to create optimal work conditions.
Education/Experience/Skills/Knowledge Required
- A Diploma or Bachelor's Degree in Precision Agriculture, Agronomy, Agricultural Technology, or a closely related discipline. (Graduates of a Precision Agriculture - Techgronomy diploma program are highly preferred).
- Eligibility for registration with the Alberta Institute of Agrologists (AIA) as a Registered Technologist in Agrology (RTAg), Certified Crop Advisor, Professional Agrologist (PAg), or Agrologist In-Training (AIT) is highly desirable.
- A valid Class 5 Alberta Driver’s License is required (Class 1 or 3 is an asset).
- An Alberta Pesticide Applicator Certificate (or the willingness to obtain one) is necessary to support in-season crop protection activities.
- 5+ years of experience in agronomy, ag tech consulting, and farm operations as they relate to Smart Ag.
- 5+ years experience in project management.
- Heavy Equipment Operation: Proven, hands-on experience safely operating and maintaining modern, high-horsepower agricultural machinery, specifically seeders, self-propelled sprayers, and combines in a commercial or research setting.
- Precision Hardware Troubleshooting: Strong mechanical and technological aptitude to independently configure, calibrate, and troubleshoot in-cab monitors (e.g., John Deere displays), GPS/RTK guidance systems, variable-rate controllers, and agricultural IoT sensors.
- Software & Data Proficiency: High-level competency in utilizing digital farm management platforms (such as AgExpert, John Deere Operations Center, or SMS) to manage field records, create Variable Rate (VR) prescriptions, and interpret complex yield and coverage maps.
- Mixed Farm Practicality: Demonstrated practical experience with livestock handling (cattle and sheep), grazing management, and forage production (silage and baling), reflecting the realities of a multi-enterprise operation.
- Applied Agronomy: A solid foundational understanding of Western Canadian crop production, soil science, zone management, and pest identification to confidently execute data-driven agronomic plans in the field.
- Collaboration & Communication: Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to bridge the gap between field operations and academia, seamlessly translating technical data into actionable insights for farm staff, researchers, and students.
Conditions Of Employment
- Current Criminal Reference check with a Vulnerable Sector Check that is free of any offenses.
- Must respect and actively promote health and safety policies.
Olds College Offers a Competitive Benefit Plan
- Defined Benefit Pension Plan (LAPP)
- Extended Health, Dental, and Prescription Drugs benefits
- Health/Personal Spending Account
- Generous Vacation Leave
- Paid Holiday Closure
- ‘Olds College in the Community’ volunteer leave
- Professional development and opportunities for growth, including employee and family tuition waivers
Open until suitable candidate found.
We thank all individuals for their interest in this position. We appreciate the time involved for candidates in the application process. At this time, please note only those selected for interviews will be contacted.
Olds College is committed to an equitable, diverse, and inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from all qualified persons. We encourage applications from women, Indigenous Peoples, racialized persons, persons with disabilities and persons of any sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.
