Jobs at Member Institutions & APLU

Oregon State University Division of Extension and Engagement and the Extension Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources Program invite applications for a Master Gardener and Small Farms Program Coordinator position. This is a 12-month, full-time, professional faculty position based at the OSU Extension Service Clatsop County Office in Astoria, Oregon.

Please note that we are also seeking applications for a Master Gardener and Small Farms Program Coordinator at the OSU Extension Service Tillamook County Office in Tillamook, OR (Posting # P07410UF – https://jobs.oregonstate.edu/postings/145061). We encourage applicants to apply to both positions.

This Master Gardener and Small Farms Coordinator position is based at the OSU Extension Service Clatsop County Office in Astoria, Oregon. The position’s Extension activities are closely aligned with the Department of Horticulture in the College of Agricultural Sciences and serves Clatsop County. Decisions regarding this position are made in consultation with the supervision team which includes the Extension Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources Program Leader. The duties for this position are 60% Master Gardener and 40% Small Farms.

As a land grant institution committed to teaching, research and outreach and engagement, OSU promotes economic, social, cultural and environmental progress for the people of Oregon, the nation and the world. This position contributes to the mission of the College of Agricultural Sciences, with principal responsibility for needs assessment, Extension program development, delivery, and evaluation, and for conducting applied research to support Extension activities.

This Master Gardener and Small Farms Coordinator develops and conducts educational programs and contributes to applied field research activities in topic areas relevant to commercial small farms and community horticulture. The individual works collaboratively with area agricultural producers, agriculture and natural resource agencies, and OSU faculty to plan, organize, deliver and evaluate educational programs and provide farm-related problem-solving services.

This position provides leadership for the Clatsop County Master Gardener volunteer program. In this role the Master Gardener and Small Farms Coordinator oversees volunteer recruitment, training and retention; organizes volunteer middle managers; and collaborates with the local Master Gardener Association. The incumbent is expected to develop community horticulture classes in coastal gardening for the general public, for delivery personally or through volunteers or other collaborators.

This position also provides leadership for programming related to commercial and non-commercial small farms in Clatsop County. In this role, the Master Gardener and Small Farms Coordinator utilizes farmer and community-based organizations in an advisory capacity to identify and implement educational programs and applied research to fit local needs, and collaborate with other Small Farms Program faculty to bring programming into the region. This includes participating in Small Farms Program efforts including planning meetings, and contributions to web, newsletter and other educational resources. In addition, the Master Gardener and Small Farms Coordinator builds community, agency, and OSU support for future expansion of Small Farms programming in the region.

Oregon State University is committed to practicing and delivery of tools for state-of-the-science interaction and engagement of partners and stakeholders. This individual is required to use modern learning tools including online and hybrid classes, employ and practice engaged scholarship, promote integration of programs across disciplines that are demand-driven and use open-source tools that continually align with innovation and shifts in educational program delivery.

Active and effective communication with colleagues and key stakeholders is critical to the success of this position. This position will require traveling.

College of Agricultural Sciences faculty are committed to enhancing student/learner success by engaging them in quality academic, research, internships, global studies, and other experiential learning opportunities. Positions with primary responsibility for Extension and Engagement are likewise committed to student/learner success through programming appropriate for diverse audiences.

About the division:

The Division of Extension and Engagement (Division) is core to Oregon State University’s mission. The Division helps create real solutions and positive impact across Oregon and beyond. The Division is aligned under the leadership of the Vice Provost for Extension and Engagement. To learn more about our Division and its core units and initiatives, please visit our Division website: https://engagement.oregonstate.edu/.

Commitment to inclusive excellence:

Oregon State University is committed to creating and maintaining compassionate and inclusive learning and working environments for all learners, visitors and employees. We envision collaborative community environments that enhance civility and embrace diversity. All employees are responsible for achieving this commitment. This commitment includes, but is not limited to, complying with Civil Rights and Language/Visual Access regulations. In addition, this individual will design, develop, maintain and/or carry out Extension programs to ensure that educational programs and outreach activities serve diverse populations, including those that have been historically marginalized/excluded from participation.

OSU Division of Extension and Engagement’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

https://extension.oregonstate.edu/about/diversity-equity-inclusion

OSU Moving Forward Together

https://leadership.oregonstate.edu/president/moving-forward-together

Position Duties

This Master Gardener Coordinator embeds the commitment of the university to a collaborative and inclusive community in all interactions and duties performed while fostering a welcoming and respectful workplace culture. This Coordinator creates opportunity for diversity, equity, and inclusion and includes these activities in their annual plan of work, impact statements, and summary of accomplishments/achievements.

The responsibilities of this position are 60% Master Gardener and 40% Small Farms.

55% MASTER GARDENER VOLUNTEER AND PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

Provide leadership and volunteer management for the local Master Gardener volunteer program in Clatsop County. Recruit, train, support and recognize accomplishments of volunteers. Establish effective volunteer mentoring and middle management structures/systems. Maintain volunteers’ focus on educational outcomes and ensure use of research-based information as the basis for education and outreach. Implement and maintain effective volunteer reporting systems, including systems to ensure compliance with civil rights requirements. Serve as mentor and liaison to the Clatsop County Master Gardener Association.

Develop active programs for updating and re-certifying trained Master Gardeners, with a focus on coastal gardening.

Supervise, or assist with supervision of, staff members who work in support of the Master Gardener and Home Horticulture program.

Contribute to collaborative Master Gardener training programs as needed beyond the assigned region.

Design, develop, deliver and evaluate community horticulture non-credit programs that address identified needs of gardeners, home and commercial landscape managers, and the general public along the Oregon coast. Travel is required.

Provide technical education, coordinate, and design community horticulture education programs including Master Gardener program, and support adult Master Gardener volunteers in their community educational roles. Accept registration payments for Master Gardener program classes. Work with Agriculture and Forestry faculty as appropriate in the program design, delivery, and evaluation.

Offer educational events eligible for pesticide license recertification credits in topics germane to the position’s target audiences.

Cooperate with other OSU faculty on research priorities, demonstration trials and distribution of information about research findings.

Utilize College of Agricultural Sciences working groups approach to team with other OSU, USDA-ARS and other scientists, as appropriate, to accomplish these assignments. Ongoing coordination of activities with other faculty in the OSU College of Agricultural Sciences is essential.

35% SMALL FARMS PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

Provide education opportunities and management strategies for small farm producers of agricultural crops and animals to meet producer goals, including integrated pest management, crop production, marketing, and natural resource conservation and enhancement.

Provide direct education, produce technical and information materials, coordinate educational events, and respond to subject matter questions in areas of expertise in the OSU Small Farms outreach program.

Conduct and coordinate local pesticide recertification efforts for stakeholders as well as answer any pesticide related questions from the public.

Maintain Oregon Department of Agriculture Pesticide Consultant License throughout employment to stay up-to-date with the science of pesticides and answer pesticide related questions.

Assist in reviewing, editing, updating, and developing Extension publications on community horticulture and agricultural crops grown in the region (e.g., production practices guides, integrated pest management and nutrient management guides, etc.).

Respond to or refer routine phone, correspondence and walk-in questions related to all aspects of horticultural crop management.

Determine program needs and priorities through use of local advisory groups and/or networks, producer and marketing associations, community development groups and meetings with crop producers and local leaders on an individual or neighborhood basis. Assess design of, and impact of, educational and applied research programs.

Explore and develop appropriate information and program delivery systems utilizing research results from disciplines associated with agriculture, education, marketing, community development and environmental management. Potential tools include newsletters, email lists, web pages, social media, publications, fact sheets, individual and small group meetings, workshops, demonstrations and field days.

Serve as a liaison to area organizations that serve the position’s target audiences.

5% ORGANIZATIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY

Utilize technology successfully as a tool to increase the impact of program delivery on constituents including participating with Ask Extension.

Use multiple methods of electronic communication to collaborate internally and externally as appropriate.

Collaborate with and contribute to Extension programs beyond the assigned County.

Implement fee-based programming and cost-recovery practices, develop partnerships, and solicit external funding to support and enhance educational programs as appropriate.

Develop an annual plan of work addressing educational needs as well as evaluate the quality and impact of educational programs provided to audiences as appropriate.

Organize and maintain program advisory and management committees or networks to identify program needs, make recommendations, assist in program implementation, and evaluate program effectiveness.

Evaluate and communicate the outcomes of program activities and file reports required by county, department, college and university administrators.

Contribute to equity, inclusion, and diversity as part of teaching, educational delivery, advising, research, Extension, and service.

5% SERVICE

Be actively involved in regional and statewide Extension programs that promote engagement with communities across the state.

Cooperate with agencies and organizations in Clatsop County and other relevant locations of the Pacific Northwest. Serve on university and/or Extension committees as appropriate.

Attend university, Extension, industry and professional organization training and in-service programs to improve ability and knowledge to provide effective service to area farmers and allied industry personnel.

Maintain active membership and involvement in professional organizations.

Participate in training opportunities that provides professional development that includes building expertise around diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Market Extension programs locally, statewide, and nationally.

Minimum/Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with academic studies directly related to horticulture, agriculture, botany, entomology, plant pathology, or a related field. Degree must be completed by application date.
• Demonstrated teaching (formal and/or informal) skills that are appropriate for adult learners and volunteers.
• Demonstrated written and oral communication skills, including the effective use electronic and social media.
• Commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity and inclusion.
• Demonstrated ability to work as a team member with other professionals and volunteers.
• Demonstrated ability to lead groups and to plan, organize, evaluate, manage, and delegate details associated with program management.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision and evidence of good time management skills.

• Must have or be able to obtain an Oregon Department of Agriculture Pesticide Consultant License within six months of employment and maintain the license throughout employment.

This position is designated as a critical or security-sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a criminal history check and be determined to be position qualified as per University Standard: 05-010 et seq. Incumbents are required to self-report convictions and those in youth programs may have additional criminal history checks every 24 months.

This position requires driving a university vehicle or a personal vehicle on behalf of the university; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a motor vehicle history check, possess and maintain a current, valid driver’s license in their state of residence, be determined to be position qualified and self-report convictions as per University Policy 05-030.

Preferred (Special) Qualifications

• Master’s degree with academic studies directly related to horticulture, agriculture, botany, entomology, plant pathology, or a related field.
• Minimum of one (1) year experience with Extension or other informal or community education delivery methods.
• Training and experience in consumer horticulture, plant diagnostics, plant pathology and/or entomology.
• Demonstrated commitment to work with historically marginalized populations, underserved audiences and to incorporate multi-cultural perspectives into educational outreach.
• Fluent in Spanish including translation, interpretation, and teaching.
• Demonstrated understanding of needs and impact assessment techniques and their application to Extension programs and services.
• Demonstrated ability to lead/supervise volunteers.
• Demonstrated ability to secure external funding support.

Why OSU?

Working for Oregon State University is so much more than a job!

Oregon State University is a dynamic community of dreamers, doers, problem-solvers and change-makers. We don’t wait for challenges to present themselves — we seek them out and take them on. We welcome students, faculty and staff from every background and perspective into a community where everyone feels seen and heard. We have deep-rooted mindfulness for the natural world and all who depend on it, and together, we apply knowledge, tools and skills to build a better future for all.

FACTS:

• Top 1.4% university in the world
• More research funding than all public universities in Oregon combined
• 1 of 3 land, sea, space and sun grant universities in the U.S.
• 2 campuses, 11 colleges, 12 experiment stations, and Extension programs in all 36 counties
• 7 cultural resource centers that offer education, celebration and belonging for everyone
• 100+ undergraduate degree programs, 80+ graduate degrees plus hundreds of minor options and certificates
• 35k+ students including more than 2.3k international students and 10k students of color
• 217k+ alumni worldwide
• For more interesting facts about OSU visit: https://oregonstate.edu/about

Locations:

Oregon State has a statewide presence with campuses in Corvallis and Bend, the OSU Portland Center and the Hatfield Marine Science Center on the Pacific Coast in Newport.

Oregon State’s beautiful, historic and state-of-the-art main campus is located in one of America’s best college towns. Corvallis is located close to the Pacific Ocean, the Cascade mountains and Oregon wine country. Nestled in the heart of the Willamette Valley, this beautiful city offers miles of mountain biking and hiking trails, a river perfect for boating or kayaking and an eclectic downtown featuring local cuisine, popular events and performances.

Total Rewards Package:

Oregon State University offers a comprehensive benefits package with benefits eligible positions that is designed to meet the needs of employees and their families including:
• Medical, Dental, Vision and Basic Life. OSU pays 95% of premiums for you and your eligible dependents.
• Free confidential mental health and emotional support services, and counseling resources.
• Retirement savings paid by the university.
• A generous paid leave package, including holidays, vacation and sick leave.
• Tuition reduction benefits for you or your qualifying dependents at OSU or the additional six Oregon Public Universities.
• Robust Work Life programs including Dual Career assistance resources, flexible work arrangements, a Family Resource Center, Affinity Groups and an Employee Assistance Program.

Future and current OSU employees can use the Benefits Calculator to learn more about the full value of the benefits provided at OSU.

To review postings and apply, go to: https://jobs.oregonstate.edu/postings/145071.  Apply to posting # P07411UF.

Closes November 10, 2024. OSU is an AA/EOE/Vets/Disabled.