Extension Educator – Sustainable Agriculture & Soil Health/Water Quality

Title: Extension Educator, Sustainable Agriculture & Soil Health/Water Quality

Classification: Assistant Extension Educator, Job Code 9625ST

Appointment: Full-time (100% time), Funded by Stearns, Benton, Morrison, & Sherburne Counties

Salary: Estimated salary range $52,000 - $55,000

Extension Dept: Agricultural and Natural Resource Systems (ANR)

Office Location: Flexible County Locations: Stearns (St. Cloud), Benton (Foley), Morrison (Little Falls) or Sherburne (Elk River)

Apply By: May 27, 2024

ABOUT THE COUNTIES

Stearns, Benton, Morrison, and Sherburne Counties are located in Central Minnesota. Major cities include St. Cloud (the regional office), Foley, Little Falls, and Elk River. Foley is in a convenient and accessible location just 15 miles from St. Cloud.

This position is a part of a team of Extension educators that also includes a livestock educator, a horticulture educator, and a small farms/local food educator. All four counties collectively fund these four positions; it is expected that the Crops Extension educator will participate as a team member with the other educators.

ABOUT THIS POSITION

The University is looking for candidates with skills and experience in: engaging stakeholders in Sustainable Agriculture and soil health and water quality; developing and strengthening networks; and teaching and facilitating informal educational agricultural programs that are relevant to Stearns, Benton, Morrison, and Sherburne counties. This support will involve local program development, delivery, marketing, evaluation, coordination of logistics and possibly participation in scholarly research. This position also will have responsibility for determining local needs involving Extension programming and will provide resources and technical assistance in the areas of agriculture and natural resources.

The successful candidate will demonstrate an ability to be innovative and apply knowledge to new and future technologies and programs that support and enhance the quality of life for citizens in the four counties.

THIS POSITION WILL:

1. Provide research-based education, support, and resources in the areas of Sustainable Agriculture and soil health and water quality in the four counties.

2. Provide research-based resources to agriculture and soil health and water quality professionals in the four counties.

3. Design/conduct educational programs and make them accessible and inviting to diverse participants.

4. Provide technical assistance and expertise in Sustainable Agriculture and soil health and water resources.

5. Communicate effectively and positively with colleagues and stakeholders about the work.

JOB DUTIES INCLUDE:

· Design, develop, deliver/implement, and evaluate agricultural educational programs based on local needs and expectations, developing and maintaining effective county, regional, University and state partnerships that further the development and delivery of Extension educational programs.

· Engage with producers, agricultural professionals, landowners, and stakeholders to build rapport and working relationships to benefit educational efforts.

· Utilize numerous delivery methods to teach around that are important to maintaining the viability, profitability, and sustainability of agricultural operations in all four counties.

· Adapt Extension programs for audiences with a range of knowledge, background, and cultures.

· Work in collaboration with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) agencies, Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD), Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), county environmental and land management services, and agricultural and natural resources professional organizations to provide educational programs relevant to the counties.

· Engage with agricultural groups, which could include forage councils, corn growers, soybean growers, wheat growers, irrigators groups, and specialty crop groups active in the four counties.

· Engage with Sustainable Farming Association (SFA), Forever Green Partnership, Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture (MISA), The Land Stewardship Project, the Minnesota Agricultural Water Resource Center (MAWRC), The Nature Conservancy, etc.

· Engage with local conservation groups, including lake associations and sportsmen’s groups, etc.

· Provide technical assistance and information about soil health, water quality, cover crops, invasive species, climate adaptation, and community science, and other topics identified locally.

· Ensure that Extension programs, facilities, committees, and employment opportunities are accessible to new, diverse, and historically underserved audiences.

QUALIFICATIONS

· Bachelor’s degree (by start date of position) in a Sustainable Agriculture related discipline, i.e., agronomy, soils, horticulture, agricultural economics, agriculture education, environmental science, biology or other closely related field.

· Demonstrated strong English oral and written communication skills.

· A proven ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships and collaborations with colleagues, partners, and stakeholders, including those that may have diverse missions, goals, cultures, and backgrounds.

· Demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion.

· Skilled in Microsoft and Google Workspace applications.

· Master’s degree; preferably in a Sustainable Agriculture related discipline.

· Experience developing and delivering informal education programs in agriculture, horticulture and/or natural resources.

· Experience using technology for communication, information finding, teaching, and reporting.

· Experience using distance technologies and social media to market and deliver educational programming.

· Ability to engage in web-based communication, education, and training.

· Ability to articulate the public value of educational programming in Sustainable Agriculture.

· Previous experience as an Extension professional or other educationally related position.

· Must have a valid driver's license and own means of reliable transportation with required liability insurance.

· Ability to work regularly at dedicated/assigned Extension offices.

· When not in the assigned office location, employees must be reachable with a mobile or alternate number at the employee's own expense. That number will be published in the Extension staff directory.

· Ability to maintain a flexible work schedule, including occasional evening and weekend work.

· Working ability to perform tasks involving sitting, standing, bending, or twisting, with occasional exertion of up to thirty pounds of force.

· Ability to work on a computer for prolonged periods of time.

· Must be able to lift, push, pull 20 lbs routinely and 40 lbs rarely, as well as sit or stand for prolonged periods of time.

· Must be able to travel within the designated communities and provide in-person programming.

· Must be eligible to work in the United States; this position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship.

1. This is a full time 1.0 FTE, annual Academic Professional appointment at the level of Assistant Extension Educator (9625ST). The appointment is reviewed for renewal annually, with continuation dependent on performance, results, availability of county funds, and program needs.

2. Internal promotion is available and meeting the promotion policy criteria to achieve promotion is expected.

3. A full University of Minnesota benefits package is available: https://hr.umn.edu/Jobs/Applicant-Center/About-Working-U/Benefits-Working-U-M

4. Reimbursement for travel and subsistence is available in accordance with University policy.

5. Salary commensurate with education and experience; estimated starting salary range $52,000 - $55,000.

University of Minnesota Extension is a major outreach arm of the University of Minnesota with a mission to serve the public through applied research and education. Our mission is to make a difference by connecting community needs and University resources to address critical issues in Minnesota. Extension strives to attract and retain high-quality, passionate employees, and weave diversity, equity and inclusion into all aspects of Extension’s programming and employee engagement https://extension.umn.edu/

Please apply at: https://extension.umn.edu/about-extension/careers, Job Opening ID: 361087