Jobs at Member Institutions & APLU

http://portage.osu.edu/

County Extension Educator
Portage County, Agriculture & Natural Resources
Ravenna, OH / Area 10

R74488
Post: March 29, 2023
Deadline: April 16, 2023
Screening Interview:  TBD
County Interview:  TBD
Salary:  $38,004 to $63,036

This posting is for an Extension Educator (1, 2, or 3); salary and Educator level for final candidate will be determined by years of experience and education level:

Extension Educator 1
Requires a bachelor’s Degree
Salary Range:  $38,004-$48,000

Extension Educator 2
Requires a master’s Degree
Salary Range:  $43,500-$53,508

Extension Educator 3
Requires a master’s Degree and 11+ years of direct or related work experience
Salary Range:  $51,000-$63,036

This position is located in Ravenna, Ohio. 

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
Ohio State University Extension (OSUE) seeks an Educator to work collaboratively with county, area and state teams of OSUE professionals and with local agency leaders and volunteers. The Extension Educator, Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) in Portage County will be responsible for a broad range of basic to complex duties that could include but are not limited to: providing guidance and/or leadership to developing and conducting a proactive applied research and education program in agriculture and natural resources to meet current and future needs in farm management, livestock and crop production, consumer horticulture, commercial horticulture, farmland use issues, food security, innovative agricultural business opportunities, environmental quality and sustainability, renewable energy, and bio-based products. The Educator will plan teach, deliver, disseminate, and evaluate educational programs and applied research on relevant local issues; Give leadership to the development of pro-active educational programs using innovative educational methods; maintain a high level of visibility and facilitate communications with a wide range of clientele to promote the understanding of agriculture and natural resource issues; Maintain a program of individual professional improvement in selected subject areas; ensure a diversity among potential clientele and learners and equal access to programs and facilities; Work closely with local advisory committees, commodity groups and volunteers to conduct needs assessment and priority setting to determine emphasis of educational programs; serve as an educational advisor and liaison for the Ohio State University Extension and the University to appropriate public issue and program related organizations; and Represent OSU Extension and the University with federal, state and local agencies and educational institutions at the local community level. The Educator will identify, recruit and develop the volunteer leadership necessary to carry out relevant parts of their programming. The Educator will give leadership to the Master Gardener Volunteer (MGV) program in Portage County, including providing volunteer management, educational training and program development. The Educator will provide Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist training programs in the county.

This position is located in Ravenna, Ohio.

50% – Plan, teach, deliver, disseminate, and evaluate educational programs and applied research on relevant local issues such as agronomic crops, consumer and commercial horticulture, integrated pest management, water quality, produce safety, natural resources, rural/urban economic development relating to local foods, biotechnology, land use, zoning, agricultural profitability, and alternative agricultural commodities. Give direction and/or leadership to the development of pro-active educational programs using innovative educational methods. Maintain a high level of visibility and facilitate communications with a wide range of clientele including traditional and non-traditional learners, elected officials, agricultural and non-agricultural stakeholders, and environmental and special interest groups to promote the understanding of agriculture and natural resource issues. Give leadership to the Master Gardener Volunteer (MGV) Programs in both Portage and Trumbull Counties, including planning and teaching educational components of the training program. Maintain a program of individual professional improvement in selected subject areas. Ensure a diversity among potential clientele and learners and equal access to programs and facilities without regard to age, race, creed, color, handicap, sex, sexual orientation, developmental disability, national origin, marital status, arrest or non-program related conviction record..

25% – Provide a minimum of 25% statewide specialization (MS) in an area of crop production, in an area to be selected, region, and state Extension professionals. Approximately 10% of time will be dedicated to statewide issues (required). Be an effective team player. Work collaboratively with Extension educators in all program areas (4-H Youth Development, Community Development, and Family and Consumer Sciences), where interdisciplinary efforts are needed to meet broad issues or carry out major programming efforts.

20% – Develop and maintain effective advisory committees for overall office and program area in Portage County. Work closely with advisory committees, commodity groups and volunteers to conduct formal and informal needs assessments and priority setting to determine emphasis of educational programs. Serve as an educational advisor and liaison for the Ohio State University Extension and the University to appropriate public issue and program related organizations. Represent OSU Extension and the University with federal, state and local agencies and educational institutions at the local community level. Identify, recruit and develop the volunteer leadership necessary to carry out relevant parts of programming. Provide volunteer management, educational training and program development to the Master Gardener Volunteer Program. Offer Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist training. Support and participate in projects within county government when appropriate, such as land reassessments with county auditor and the county emergency management agency.

5% – Evaluate educational programs and dissemination methods to document impacts relating to overall program. Report to local, OSU Extension, and United States Department of Agriculture leaders and stakeholders as appropriate and requested. Identify and develop funding proposals to support new and /or enhanced programming in the form of grants, private funding and other opportunities. Provide effective grants management duties for multiple projects. May be responsible for development and management program budget and /or county budget.

Required Experience:
An earned Bachelor’s or Master’s degree at the time of hire is required. Preference will be given to candidates with a degree in agriculture or natural resources or other educationally-related area (examples are: food science, biology, science education). The successful candidate will have strong written and oral communication skills and experience in working with diverse clientele and organizations.  Demonstrated success in working as part of a team and initiating collaborative partnerships is sought.  Leadership ability and strong teaching and subject matter expertise in at least one area of agriculture is necessary.  Candidates must be willing to work flexible hours with a minimum of supervision.

Desired Experience:
Training and work experience related to soil science, agronomy, horticulture and natural resources.
In-depth knowledge of crop production, focusing on agronomic and forage crops to serve the county and area.
Experience relating to community engagement.
Experience working with volunteers, advisory committees and related boards.

Additional Information:
Ohio State is focused on enhancing the health and safety of our community. Therefore, the university is requiring every student, faculty and staff member to be compliant with Ohio State’s COVID-19 vaccine requirement.

By the start of employment, all newly hired employees must receive at least the first dose of a two-dose series or a single dose of a one-dose series COVID-19 vaccination. Individuals who choose a two-dose series vaccination must receive the second dose within 45 days of their start date. Proof of vaccination will be required at time of hire.

Candidates may request a medical or religious exemption from the vaccination requirement. Campus employees may also request an exemption for personal reasons. Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, College of Medicine or OSUP Employees are not eligible for personal exemptions. All exemptions are subject to Ohio State’s approval and subject to change, including revocation, due to legal and regulatory requirements.

Final candidates are subject to successful completion of a background check.  A drug screen, physical, or psychological screening may be required during the post offer process.