Associate in Extension, Horticulture (Yuma, AZ)

About the role

The Yuma County Office of Cooperative Extension of the University of Arizona seeks to fill the role Extension Professional III (Associate in Extension, Horticulture).

Responsibilities

• Design and lead comprehensive extension programs that respond to complex community, agricultural, or socioeconomic issues across Arizona regions in assigned focus areas.
• Set program goals, strategies, and evaluation plans in collaboration with faculty, specialists, and stakeholder groups.
• Oversee coordination of multiple projects or initiatives within the broader program portfolio.
• Lead strategies for educational outreach and specialized extension workshops that provide evidence-based solutions to complex community challenges.
• Collaborate with university researchers and faculty to translate advanced research findings and new technologies into practical tools and programs for Arizona communities.
• Develop specialized instructional materials and curricula tailored to various audiences and delivery formats (for example, field days, producer meetings, family workshops).
• Design and conduct independent, systematic needs assessments, including regional data analyses, to determine strategic extension program priorities and identify community assets.
• Develop or refine methods for measuring program effectiveness and long-term impacts using both quantitative and qualitative data.
• Use findings to inform strategic planning, resource allocation, and regional extension service delivery.
• Author and publish technical reports, extension publications, and scholarly articles that communicate research-based program results to professional peers, community stakeholders, and university leadership.
• Present program outcomes at conferences, advisory meetings, and university forums in clear, accessible language.
• Provide data-informed briefings to administrators and partners on program performance and regional trends.
• Cultivate and advise strategic partnerships with campus units, agencies, industry groups, schools, and local governments to advance extension unit goals in assigned focus areas.
• Lead development of proposals to secure competitive external funding and grants to sustain and expand strategic extension initiatives.
• Steward funded projects by monitoring deliverables, timelines, and reporting requirements.

Requirements

• Extensive knowledge of extension theory and practice, program evaluation, and community engagement strategies.
• Strong analytical skills for designing assessments, interpreting data, and drawing evidence-based conclusions.
• Advanced written and verbal communication skills, including scholarly writing and presentations to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to build and sustain strategic partnerships and to lead project teams or small groups of staff and volunteers.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple large projects, and make informed decisions within broad guidelines.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through professional level experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• The ability to obtain a driver’s license, provide their own transportation, be able to travel statewide using all modes of transportation, and have the ability to drive according to the University Fleet Safety Policy.