Assistant Professor – Weed Science Horticulture Extension with Oregon State University – Dept. of Horticulture in Corvallis

This position has a statewide assignment in integrated weed management for processed and fresh market vegetables and specialty seed industries. This position contributes to the missions of OSU Extension Service and the College of Agricultural Sciences with principal responsibility for needs assessment, Extension program development, Extension teaching, and program evaluation.

This Extension position will develop and implement an innovative applied research and education program in integrated weed management for processed and fresh market vegetables and specialty seed industries of Western Oregon. The goal of this position is to sustainably optimize the vegetable and specialty seeds cropping systems and their interactions with other relevant crops based on the discipline of weed science with consideration for the interaction with other cropping system challenges. The research and Extension program will strive to develop environmentally and economically sound solutions on both conventional and organic systems that align with needs identified by local commodity commissions, organizations (e.g., producer organizations, registrants, Oregon IPM Center, Oregon Tilth), and other agencies (e.g., USDA NIFA, NRCS, IR-4, and ODA). The research and Extension program will enhance the learning and adoption of improved technologies for producers and agricultural professionals who serve the producers, and their employees, while implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion practices. College of Agricultural Sciences faculty are committed to enhancing student success by engaging students in quality academic, research, internships, global studies, and other experiential learning opportunities. Positions with primary responsibility for extension and outreach are likewise committed to learner success through programming appropriate for diverse audiences. There is an expectation that, as part of your role in the college, you embody and advance the principles and practices conveyed in the CAS CARE Commitment document.

• Utilize Oregon State University’s https://ctl.oregonstate.edu/sites/ctl.oregonstate.edu/files/six_principles_v3.pdf“>six principles of teaching excellence that include audience consideration, planning, enhanced engagement, teaching, assessment, and reflection to provide a high level of non-credit teaching for extension audiences
• Extension teaching methods may include but not be limited to classroom teaching, workshops, seminars, online teaching, hybrid teaching, all Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) formats, etc.
• Collaboratively design, deliver and evaluate weed science educational programs for vegetable growers and industry field representatives. Programs will deliver critical information and practices to solve current production and stewardship challenges and provide knowledge and strategies to enhance Oregon’s position as a leader in vegetable production (processed, fresh market) and specialty seed crops (e.g., sugar beets, carrots, brassicas, onions, flowers, spinach).
• Coordinate contributions to and serve as Senior Editor for the Pacific Northwest Weed Management Handbook for OR, WA, and ID.
• Identify program needs and priorities by engaging growers, stakeholder, commodity commissions, and others as appropriate, and adjust Extension and research focus accordingly.
• Communicate research progress and results to stakeholders and provide educational opportunities using peer reviewed publications, professional meetings, commodity group presentations, extension events and electronic communication (i.e., web sites, publications, video conferencing and other online methods).
• Use technology as a tool to increase the impact of program delivery for constituents including participating in Ask-Extension.
• Engage and contribute to equity, inclusion, and diversity as part of teaching, educational delivery, advising, research, Extension, service, and/or scholarly outcomes. Outputs and impacts of efforts to promote equity, inclusion, and diversity should be included in promotion dossiers.
• Driving to extension programs, field days, and site visits.

• Collaborate with other research and Extension colleagues and agencies (e.g., OSU IPM Center and IR-4 Program) to capture the complexity of production challenges within and across cropping systems in the Willamette Valley and develop relevant science-based solutions to address prioritized challenges and opportunities.
• Maintain/Develop collaborative communication channels that include input on program needs and opportunities from the Oregon Processed Vegetable Commission, fresh market growers, seed producers (Specialty Seed Growers of Western Oregon), seed buyers (Willamette Valley Specialty Seed Association), and Agriculture professionals in the Willamette Valley, and others as appropriate.
• Engage with community-based and regional, and national organizations to support innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic development within local, regional, state, or national boundaries as appropriate.

• Develop annual plans of work that address educational needs as well as evaluate the quality and impact of Extension educational and research programs.
• Regularly measure and report program impact in the Faculty Success online platform.
• Serve as a team member of the Vegetable Processing Extension working group.
• Keep records and provide necessary reports to Extension Administration, the department and/or college, including plans of work, narrative reports, impact statements, statistical reports, and reports of accomplishments.
• Provide community and statewide opinion leaders and decision makers relevant, science-based topical information when requested.

• Conduct applied research and demonstration projects in weed management in support of the Extension efforts. This is intended to enhance the economic competitiveness and natural resource sustainability of vegetable and specialty seed crops grown by producers in Western Oregon. Applied research will emphasize multi-tactic practices, management of agroecosystem biodiversity, novel technologies, and the use of cropping system design (e.g., crop diversity, cropping sequence, and tillage systems, varietal biodiversity) to develop long-term weed management strategies. Collaboration is expected with colleagues in supporting disciplines including plant breeding, IPM, pathology, and entomology to take a holistic and systems approach.
• Liaison with the minor crop registration program (IR-4) provide leadership for weed management issues and needs for vegetables and specialty seed crops.
• Evaluate and document impacts of research results in Oregon Agriculture.
• Co-advise or participate as a committee member for graduate students committees as appropriate.
• Supervise research support personnel, graduate students, student workers and temporary employees.
• Driving to remote field sites to collect data for research.

• Scholarly and creative work is intellectual work whose significance is validated by peers, and which is communicated externally. Appropriate types of scholarship for this position may include, but are not limited to:
• Teaching, discovery, engagement, creativity, integration, research, and application that are communicated and validated through regional, statewide, and/or national publications, as appropriate, and/or through presentations at professional meetings.
• Innovative educational materials and effective teaching methods that meet clientele needs, with materials, methods, and outcomes shared with peers in state, region, and/or the nation.
• Solicitation of private and public support for Extension programs and the Oregon State University Extension Service.
• Senior editor of the Extension publication: Pacific Northwest Weed Management Handbook for OR, WA, and ID.
• Publications in peer-reviewed journals which might encompass description and evaluation of novel community-based professional practice or research application, program development and innovative programs and/or services, definitive professional practice reviews, or case reports among others.
• Discover new knowledge and develop creative solutions and applications for problems related to aspects of vegetable and specialty seed crop production.

• Participate in departmental and faculty meetings, and serve on departmental, Extension, College and University committees that are consistent with the duties of this position. There is an expectation to balance service at multiple levels within the institution with service to the profession (e.g. professional societies).

2) A cover letter indicating how you meet the required qualifications for this position.

3) Statement of Applied Research and Extension

You will also be required to submit the names of at least three professional references, their e-mail addresses and telephone numbers as part of the application process.

OSU commits to inclusive excellence by advancing equity and diversity in all that we do. We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, and particularly encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ community members, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community.

OSU will conduct a review of the National Sex Offender Public website prior to hire.

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 OSU Standard 576-055-0000 et seq. Incumbents are required to self-report convictions and those in youth programs may have additional criminal history checks every 24 months. Offers of employment are contingent upon meeting all minimum qualifications including the criminal history check requirement.

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 et seq. Offers of employment are contingent upon meeting all minimum qualifications including the motor vehicle check requirement.