Careers
Crops Assistant Extension Professor – UMN Extension Educator
Description of Duties
RESPONSIBILITIES AND PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS
Design, develop, deliver, implement and evaluate educational programs based on scholarly/scientific theory and research at the regional and state levels based on needs.
.Use in-person seminars, webinars, workshops, and other media to educate crop producers and agricultural professionals.
.Engage in a range of extension education and cooperative research activities and programs that support extension programs. Scholarly applied research is not a primary focus of the positions.
.Other roles include pesticide safety education and broad programmatic work to address important regional agronomic issues such as corn, soybean, small grain, forage, or sugarbeet production, general agronomics, pest management, soil fertility, and sustainable agriculture.
.Collaborate with Extension educators (regional and local), state Extension specialists, and other appropriate agricultural and natural resource teams at the University of Minnesota.
.Opportunity to partner with university faculty and research professionals at University of Minnesota campuses, research centers, and offices in conducting outreach and research.
.Develop and maintain effective local, regional, and state governmental and private partnerships (e.g. commodity groups, conservation organizations, government agencies, industry, etc.) that further the development and delivery of .Extension educational programming efforts.
.Continued professional development in scholarship, program development and delivery via conferences, self-directed study and/or other means of maintaining a high level of expertise.
Required Qualifications: Master of Science degree in agronomy, crop science, soil science, entomology, plant pathology, weed science, agricultural education, or related discipline. Evidence of experience in agronomy, pest management, plant/crop science, cropping systems, soil science or related discipline. Evidence of excellent oral and written communication skills along with demonstrated skills in communicating complex, scientific concepts to end-users.Demonstrated skills with technology-enhanced communication and/or teaching. Demonstrated skills in developing and maintaining effective working relationships and collaborations with colleagues, partners, and stakeholders, including those that may have diverse missions, goals, and backgrounds.Additional Requirements:Valid driver’s license and own means of transportation with required liability insurance, to be utilized for travel to workshops and transporting materials and supplies to events; the need to transport other people/employees may occur.When not in the assigned office location, employees must be reachable with a mobile 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 or weekend work.Must have reliable internet if/when working outside of assigned office location.Must be able to travel within the designated communities or to state-wide events and provide in-person programming; in-state overnight travel may occur one to two days per month on average.Ability to perform tasks involving frequent repetitive motions, prolonged sitting, standing, bending, twisting, lifting, and carrying 20 pounds frequently, with occasional exertion of up to fifty pounds of force.This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship.Preferred Qualifications: Two or more years of experience in extension education, other forms of adult education, or communications related to crop production.Two or more years of post-bachelors degree experience in an emphasis area related to crop production.Experience working with small grains and/or forages.Experience coordinating educational events.Evidence of designing, delivering, and evaluating educational programs.Documentation of problem-solving and outreach in crop production systems.Experience with influencing needs-based applied research and translating research into adoptable practices by farmers and other end-users. Experience or background in integrated pest management in farming systems.Demonstrated skills in project/program management and working with farmers and/or agricultural professionals from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Familiarity with working with the media (print, television, and/or radio)