Title:                           Extension Educators- Crops (3 positions available)

Position Locations:  (1) West Central/NW MN, (2) Central/NE MN, and (3) South Central/SE MN

Appointment:            Full-time, Assistant Extension Professor (9623), Professional & Administrative

Program Area:           Extension Department for Agricultural and Natural Resource Systems (ANR)

Apply By:                   October 8, 2023

LOCATION OF POSITION

We have three full-time Extension Educator (EE) - Crops positions (non-tenure track) available.  Each position will be housed at an Extension Regional Office in one of these general regions (1) West Central/Northwestern, (2) Central/Northeastern, and (3) South Central/Southeastern MN.  Potential Regional Office locations in these regions include Morris, Moorhead, St. Cloud, Mankato, Willmar, Farmington, Cloquet, Grand Rapids, Andover, and Rochester. The positions will concentrate on regional crops extension programming needs in each region and will include more limited, state-wide responsibilities.

BACKGROUND

Minnesota ranks sixth nationally in crop production and encompasses diverse cropping systems. Top commodity crops in the state include corn, soybeans, small grains, forages, and sugar beets. Challenges facing farmers and agricultural professionals include nutrient and pest management issues in crop production, pesticide resistance, crop selection, implementing best agronomic practices in grain and forage production, long-term sustainability, soil health, cover crops, water quality, and new products and technologies. Education and applied research are being conducted to address these issues and more is needed. This position will integrate into the University of Minnesota’s Extension Crops Team. The Crops Team contributes to keeping the state's agricultural industry competitive, profitable, and environmentally responsible through the development and delivery of comprehensive educational programs that include websites, blogs, videos, webinars, other technology-enhanced products, and local, regional, and statewide conferences and workshops utilizing research-based information.

ABOUT THIS POSITION

The Extension Educator (EE) in Crops positions will work to enhance productivity, sustainability, and profitability in Minnesota’s cropping systems by applying their expertise and effort through Extension educational programming efforts, and to very limited applied research efforts. Deliverables and issues to be addressed in these positions will focus on forages, small grains, row crops, cover crops, integrated pest management, pesticide safety and environmental education, and/or soil fertility.  The EEs will collaborate with university faculty, educators, and other professionals in research-based educational programs for crop producers and agricultural professionals. The EE will use multiple delivery systems to educate producers and agricultural professionals via in-person seminars, webinars, workshops, and other media. This includes potential partnerships with industry groups, non-profit organizations, and state agencies with similar goals of educating producers while increasing environmental sustainability. Each EE is responsible for the development, delivery, marketing, evaluation, coordination of logistics, and leadership of key Extension educational programs, as well as continuing professional development. Effective use of scholarly/scientific research, partnerships, and technology is essential.  The successful candidates will be active members of a well-established Extension Crops Team and will be accountable to the Crops Program Leader for program direction, performance evaluation, and personnel actions.

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 short and long-term needs.  Needs will be influenced by geography of the position, and are expected to focus around forages, small grains, corn and soybean production, integrated pest management, soil fertility, cover crops, sustainable agriculture, and/or pesticide safety education. 
• Collaborate with Extension educators (regional and local), state Extension specialists, and other appropriate agricultural and natural resource teams at the University of Minnesota in designing and delivering Extension programs.
• Provide leadership and management for educational curriculum and programming around important crop production issues including pesticide safety education.
• Partner with university faculty and research professionals stationed on campus, research and outreach centers, local county offices, and regional offices in conducting outreach and scholarly applied research.
• Use appropriate technology for program design, delivery, evaluation, reporting, communication, trend monitoring, and searching for information.
• Develop and maintain effective local, regional, university and state partnerships (e.g. commodity groups, conservation organizations, government agencies, industry, etc.) that further the development and delivery of Extension educational programming efforts.
• Continue professional development in scholarship, program development and delivery via conferences, self-directed study and/or other appropriate means of maintaining a high level of expertise.

BENEFITS/APPOINTMENT

1. Extension Educator positions have annual University academic professional appointments and Extension academic rank.
2. Promotion in Extension academic rank is required and is contingent upon accomplishments as an Extension Educator
3. University of Minnesota appointment and benefits. Benefits package 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. Estimated salary range for this role is $59,000-79,000, depending on education, background and experience. 

Required Education:  Master of Science degree in agronomy, crop science, soil science, entomology, plant pathology, weed science, agricultural education, or related discipline.

Required Experience, Skills/Abilities:

• Evidence of experience and education in agronomy, pest management, plant/crop science, cropping systems, weed science, soil science or related discipline. 
• Evidence of excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated skills with technology-enhanced communication and/or teaching.
• Demonstrated skills in developing and maintaining effective working relationships and/or collaborations with colleagues, partners, and stakeholders (e.g., program participants, industry groups, legislators).
• Ability to articulate public value of educational programs.
• Demonstrated skills in communicating complex, scientific concepts to end-users.

  Additional Requirements:

• Valid driver's license and own means of transportation with required liability insurance.
• 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.
• Must have reliable internet if/when working outside of assigned office location.
• Must be able to travel within the designated communities and provide in-person programming.
• Ability to maintain a flexible work schedule, including occasional evening or weekend work.
• This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Two or more years of experience in extension education or other forms of adult education or communications related to crops production and cropping systems.
• Two or more years’ post-degree experience in an emphasis area related to crops production and cropping systems.
• Evidence of designing, delivering, and evaluating educational programs.
• Documentation of problem-solving and outreach in crop production systems.
• Has participated in developing needs-based applied research and translated results for adoption of practices by farmer end-users. 
• Has worked with small grains, forages, and/or diversified cropping systems with cover and alternative crops.
• Experience or background in integrated pest management in farming systems
• Demonstrated skills in project/program management and working with farmers and/or ag professionals from diverse backgrounds and experiences
• Demonstrated skills in working with the media
• Commitment to ongoing professional development

About University of Minnesota Twin Cities

The University of Minnesota, founded in the belief that all people are enriched by understanding, is dedicated to the advancement of learning and the search for truth; to the sharing of this knowledge through education for a diverse community; and to the application of this knowledge to benefit the people of the state, the nation, and the world.

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