Jobs at Member Institutions & APLU

Title:                           Extension Educator – Horticulture, Clay County

Classification:             Assistant Extension Educator, Job Code 9625ST

Appointment:             Part-time, benefits eligible (80% time, 32 hours a week)

Salary:                         Estimated salary range for .8 FTE is $41,600 – $45,600

Extension Dept:         Agricultural and Natural Resource Systems (ANR)

Office Location:          Clay County Extension Office, Moorhead, MN

Apply by:                    November 27, 2023

ABOUT THIS POSITION

The University is looking for candidates with skills and experience in: engaging stakeholders in horticulture, agriculture, and natural resources; developing and strengthening networks; and teaching and facilitating informal educational horticultural, agricultural, and natural resource programs that are relevant to Clay County. This support will involve local program development, delivery, marketing, evaluation, coordination of logistics and participation in research.  This position also will be responsible for determining local needs and will provide technical assistance and information in the areas of horticulture, agriculture, and natural resources, as well as oversight of the Extension Master Gardener Volunteer program.

THIS POSITION WILL:

1. Provide research-based resources, education and support in horticulture, agriculture, and natural resources.
2. Build relationships with both home and commercial gardeners as well as horticulture and agriculture professionals.
3. Provide support and guidance to the Master Gardener program in Clay County.
4. Design/conduct educational programs and make them accessible and inviting to diverse participants.
5. Provide technical assistance and expertise in horticulture, agriculture, and natural resources.
6. Communicate effectively and positively with colleagues and stakeholders about the work.

JOB DUTIES INCLUDE:

• Provide support and guidance for the Master Gardener program, which includes managing recruitment, communications, program planning, financial management, and ensuring their work focuses on education of others and aligns with state program focus and needs, as well as county needs.
• Provide technical assistance in agriculture, horticulture, and natural resources based on local needs and expectations

• Design, develop, deliver/implement, and evaluate horticultural, agricultural, and natural resource educational programs based on local needs and expectations.
• Develop and maintain effective county, regional, University and state partnerships that further the development and delivery of Extension educational programs.
• Engage with home and commercial gardeners, horticultural professionals, agricultural producers, and stakeholders to build rapport and working relationships to benefit educational efforts.
• Utilize numerous delivery methods to teach horticulture, agriculture, and natural resources in Clay County.
• Adapt Extension programs for audiences with a range of knowledge, background, and cultures.
• Work in collaboration with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) agencies, Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD), Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), Minnesota Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (MFVGA), Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) growers, non-profit groups, and professional organizations to provide educational programs relevant to the county.
• Ensure that Extension programs, facilities, committees, and employment opportunities are accessible to new, diverse, and historically underserved audiences.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree in a horticulture-related discipline, i.e. horticulture, plant science, soils, biology, entomology, agronomy, agricultural education or related degree.
• Current knowledge in horticulture, demonstrated through coursework or recent professional or volunteer experience.
• 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.
• Experience communicating with, supervising and empowering volunteers/team members.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion.
• Skilled in Microsoft and Google suite applications.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• A master’s degree, preferably in a horticulture related discipline
• Demonstrated experience creating new educational programs based upon past successes or failures.
• Experience using technology for communication, information finding, teaching and report writing.
• Ability to articulate the public value of educational programming in horticulture.
• Experience with providing leadership development of and/or recruitment of volunteers.
• Previous experience as an Extension professional or other educationally related position (within horticulture).

Additional Requirements:

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

APPOINTMENT/BENEFITS

1. This is a .8 FTE, 32 hour a week, 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 for .8 FTE is 41,600 – $45,600.

ABOUT EXTENSION

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/