Assistant/Associate Extension Educator for Agriculture Business Management

Duties And Responsibilities

This position will plan, design, and implement programs for agriculture and aquaculture producers statewide, requiring the individual to travel. Programs may include providing education and technical assistance in financial analysis, enterprise analysis, labor management, farm transfers, farmland access, and product marketing. Extension programs will be conducted utilizing a variety of education methodologies including workshops, webinars, grower meetings, and in-person farm visits. It will include sharing current research-based information through the development of fact sheets, articles, other print, and web-based resources as well as peer-based Extension scholarship.

Providing one-on-one technical assistance in business management to improve economic opportunity and business profitability including urban farming is expected. Working with producers on farms will be expected. This position will work with a diverse range of farm businesses, from larger operations to small, beginning farmers.

Successful candidates will be expected to serve current stakeholders and broaden participation among members of under-represented groups; demonstrate through public engagement the commitment to, and support of, diversity in the learning experience; and provide leadership in developing techniques designed to meet the needs of diverse learning styles and intellectual interest.

The successful applicant will demonstrate leadership skills for serving on state boards, councils, and committees where stakeholders and experts collaborate to address complex systems together.

Minimum Qualifications

• Earned master’s degree in a field appropriate to agricultural business management including agricultural economics or closely related disciplines.
• For the Assistant Extension Educator title, at least two years of experience is required.
• To be considered for Associate Extension Educator title at least five years of experience as an Assistant Extension Educator or the equivalent is required.
• Proven communication skills, including writing and presentation skills as evidenced in the applicant’s curriculum vitae.
• Computer literacy, including working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.
• Must be willing and able to work occasional evening and weekend hours.
• Must have reliable transportation and a valid driver’s license.
• Must possess adequate physical stamina, agility, and fitness to perform the required duties.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing peer-reviewed scholarship, Extension reports, or articles in electronic media that communicate program impacts and results.
• Experience serving in leadership positions, particularly within an agricultural context.
• Experience working with integrated Extension programs and the land-grant university system.
• Demonstrated ability to work cohesively with diverse audiences developing partnerships with other professionals and organizations to accomplish team goals.
• Experience in grantsmanship, particularly obtaining progressively larger grants and/or leading medium to large multi-disciplinary, multi-functional grant-funded projects.