Missouri Institute for Defense and Energy

Position Description

The Missouri Institute for Defense and Energy at UMKC seeks a qualified candidates for the position of Research Engineering Technician I (RET I). In this role, the successful candidate will support multiple aspects of research and development needs of urban agriculture solutions that support UMKC students and military veterans through education, entrepreneurship, and experiential learning activities. The ideal candidate should have a record of demonstrated ability to assist and solve complex facility and personnel challenges; a willingness to learn new methods, systems, and technologies; strong self-motivation; the ability to work independently as well as on a team; and, capability to execute on parallel assignments according to aggressive deadlines, while maintaining safety as top priority.

Job duties will include, but are not limited to:

• Performing highly complex/skilled work in designing, constructing, installing, and/or repairing of technical equipment and components;
• Installation/commission, preventative maintenance, and troubleshooting of scientific equipment and instruments;
• Recruit, retain, and supervise at least 50 military veteran beginning farmers throughout the period of performance
• In partnership with our collaborators, oversee crop production, maintenance, and equipment improvement
• Track inventory and provide training schedules for military veteran program participants as well as UMKC students, faculty, and staff engaged with Urban Agriculture initiatives
• Build and maintain positive relationships with neighborhood councils, farmers markets, and local small/large businesses for crop sales
• Lead distribution efforts for all crop production and maintain accurate financial records of transactions
• Lead all food safety initiatives, including produce safety initiatives, post-harvest handling, and harvest recordkeeping and documentation
• Assist with UPC code efforts for product branding and commercial distribution
• Assist with USDA GAP certification in collaboration with project partners
• Assist with development of, and participation in, annual project webinars
• Provide monthly updates to the program website
• Provide program and financial data for monthly, annual, and final reports for the USDA
• Provide weekly status updates on the execution of and plan for reaching milestones, goals, and objectives of this position, agreed to by the immediate supervisor to this position
• Assist with larger MIDE programmatic efforts and initiatives that fulfill the mission and vision of our Institute
• Travel as necessary to execute on the above activities
• Other duties as assigned by the Director of Research and Institute Programs

• Associates degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience and at least three years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary.

• Exceptionally organized, efficient, and motivated self-starter with the ability to work independently and as part of a fast-paced, growing team
• Current/prior military experience and/or hands-on experience working directly with military veterans
• At least one year of experience working and/or volunteering with the Veterans Community Project
• Prior service in the US Armed Forces
• At least one year of experience of agriculture and/or food safety and handling experience

$20 per hour

Open until filled, review of applications to begin immediately.

Full time, Monday-Friday, 8 am - 5 pm or comparable. Culture of flexibility is supported.

About MIDE

The mission of the Missouri Institute for Defense and Energy (MIDE) at the University of Missouri - Kansas City (UMKC), is to improve the quality of life by bridging academia with industry to address wicked problems. MIDE is a fast-growing research institute founded to solve real-world problems by synthesizing physics and engineering principles with a pragmatic, results-driven, and collaborative philosophy.

For more information about MIDE, visit .

About UMKC

UMKC is the largest comprehensive, fully accredited university in the Kansas City area and the only public research university in our community. We offer more than 125 academic areas serving more than 16,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students from all 50 states and 85+ countries.

UMKC has a strategic plan with five pillars: provide exceptional student learning, success and experience; become a thriving discovery enterprise; transform our community and region with impactful engagement; foster an environment of invigorating multiculturalism, globalism, diversity and inclusion; and develop a strong and resilient people, process and physical infrastructure. We are building a community in which we support each other, learn from each other, and grow together. The successful candidate will have a genuine enthusiasm for students and the university.

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parental leave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at

Values Commitment

We value the uniqueness of every individual and strive to ensure each person's success. Contributions from individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives promote intellectual pluralism and enable us to achieve the excellence that we seek in learning, research and engagement. This commitment makes our university a better place to work, learn and innovate.

In your application materials, please discuss your experiences and expertise that support these values and enrich our missions of teaching, research, and engagement.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri System is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Equal Opportunity is and shall be provided for all employees and applicants for employment on the basis of their demonstrated ability and competence without unlawful discrimination on the basis of their race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable state or federal law. This policy applies to all employment decisions including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, training, promotions, pay practices, benefits, disciplinary actions and terminations. For more information, visit or call Human Resources at 816-235-1621.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Office of Equity & Title IX at 816-235-6910.