Grassland Research and Extension Manager
About the role
This position supports Advancing Markets Program grants aimed at enhancing grassland resilience and promoting sustainable livestock production systems. The incumbent will collaborate with various stakeholders including farmers, Virginia Cooperative Extension agents, Small Farm Outreach Program Agents, agency personnel, forage industry players, and students from Virginia Tech's Sustainable Grasslands Lab.
Responsibilities
- Provide direct, one-on-one technical assistance to producers
- Develop, coordinate, and lead outreach programming
- Provide research support
- Administer grassland management programs focused on building resilient, sustainable, and productive grazing systems
- Instruct, guide, and assist farmers on implementing best management practices
- Collect samples to track changes in soil health in response to management practices
- Supervise other staff and students
- Manage research and for the project (including data collection, analysis, and curation; laboratory and field operations work and maintenance)
- Conduct extension activities and required reporting
- Work closely with farmers, researchers, students, extension agents, and community stakeholders
Requirements
A master’s degree in agronomy, natural resources management, or conservation, or a bachelor’s degree in these fields and significant professional-level experience or expertise that equates to the minimum educational qualifications. Must be able to drive and work independently.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with warm-season native grasses and silvopasture establishment and management
- Soil sampling and management
- Supervisory experience in a research setting
Skills
Knowledge of grassland management, demonstrated effective communication skills, ability to coordinate activities for other staff and students, and capacity to implement practices - particularly those involving on-farm trials and participatory research.
Benefits
N/A
Pay
$52,221 - $73,109 annually
Schedule
40 hours per week
Contact
For inquiries, please contact Dr. John Fike at jfike@vt.edu at least 10 business days prior to the event.