Position Number: 103342
Location: La Plata, MD
Position Summary: This position entails working in the Southern Cluster Units of Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary's Counties. The primary purpose of this position is to develop and conduct educational programs in commercial agriculture. Specifically, this position will provide leadership and delivery of educational programming related to fruit and vegetable growers, commercial horticulture, high tunnel and greenhouse production, alternative crops and other economically important crops within the cluster. This includes production, harvesting, packing and marketing, value-added production, and processing as well as good agricultural practices, food safety, and other sustainability issues. Work with Extension colleagues within the cluster and other areas of Southern MD to address priority needs of the area's agricultural producers.
The Extension Agriculture Educator is responsible for planning, organizing, developing implementing, and evaluating extension Extension educational for the agricultural community. The Educator will facilitate partnerships with local and state agencies, elected officials, communities, landowners, residents, industry and environmental groups in developing economic opportunities while protecting the state's natural resources. The faculty member will be on track for tenure and promotion to a higher rank in accordance with University policy and UME tenure guidelines within a time frame defined.
Responsibilities:
- Develop, promote, implement, and evaluate agriculture educational programs.
- Work with UME Agriculture Action Teams, other teams and other agricultural service providers in MD to advance agricultural education to enhance service providers' skills and capacity.
- Develop programs in vegetable production, vineyard management, orchard and farm management, agronomic crop production, value-added production, pest management, pesticide use and safety, nutrient management, financial management, and natural resource conservation for agricultural producers in the Southern Cluster Counties.
- Development of grant funded projects to secure extramural funding to enhance/expand educational programs including applied and demonstration projects.
- Develop and implement educational projects focused on young and beginning that assist them in operating a profitable agribusiness and collaborate with colleagues to develop innovative agriculture training programs.
- Provide leadership for the development, implementation, and evaluation of rural economic development initiatives and develop collaborations with local Economic Development Offices to increase economic opportunities for agricultural producers.
- Supervision of Nutrient Management Advisors; review of farm nutrient management plans.
- Remain current in assigned subject matter areas and participate in relevant professional improvement opportunities. Develop strong relationships with local agriculture county government organizations.
Qualifications:
- Master's degree in agronomy, horticulture, or a related field.
- Demonstrated leadership and management abilities with evidence of being able to work well with farm producers and community leaders.
- Experience with program development and evaluation.
- Teaching and communication skills.
- Willingness to travel within the state.
- Certification of MD nutrient management advisor/consultant and obtain the commercial pesticide applicators license in category-10 public agency.
Master's Degree Base Salary - $51,575
To Apply:
Apply online at https://ejobs.umd.edu. A complete application packet includes a letter of application, a current resume or CV, copies of transcripts, and 3 professional references.
Deadline: Apply by 7/6/18