Job ID: 358892
Location: Twin Cities
Job Family: Education-Extension
Full/Part Time: Full-Time
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Job Code: 9625ST
Employee Class: Acad Prof and Admin
About the Job
Working Title: Extension Educator, Agronomy and Water Resources
Appointment: Full-time, Assistant Extension Educator (Job Code 9625ST), P & A
Location: Washington Conservation District, Oakdale, MN; Hybrid work options available.
Extension Area: Department of Agriculture and Natural Resource Systems (ANR)
Application Deadline: January 15, 2024
ABOUT THIS POSITION
The goal of this position is to help farmers, crop advisors, and others adopt practices that improve water quality, enhance groundwater, expand habitat, and conserve soil resources to achieve the goals of the Lower St. Croix Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan. To do so, this educator will be responsible for developing, implementing, and evaluating educational programs that encourage the adoption of agricultural conservation practices in the watershed. This position is an Extension educator with the University of Minnesota, in partnership with organizations that are collectively implementing the Lower Saint Croix Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan.
The person in this position will facilitate positive landowner relationships with local partners for implementation of conservation planning, technical assistance, and cost share/incentive programs. They will also coordinate with other educators and staff in the basin and at the U of M Extension to ensure seamless implementation of technical assistance and cost share delivery.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Percentages listed here express the relative workload for these tasks over a given year. They may vary depending on the evolving needs of the position and experience of the individual hired.
- Develop, deliver, and evaluate research-based, educational programs that advance the agricultural priorities in the Lower St. Croix Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan. (50%)
- Provides technical expertise on agronomic, regenerative agriculture, and soil health topics to farmers, crop advisors, and partner organizations in the Lower St. Croix basin. (20%)
- Support the development and promotion of demonstration plots that facilitate implementation of science-based, effective, economically viable practices that advance the goals of the Lower St. Croix Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan. (10%)
- Coordinate and facilitate farmer-led initiatives and similar activities to advance the long-term goals of the Lower St. Croix Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan. (10%)
- Participate in team meetings and serve on committees and boards. (10%)
- Throughout this work, collaborate with new, diverse, and historically underserved audiences to develop programs that are customized to the needs of different cultural communities.
Appointment/Salary/Benefits
- The position has an annual University academic professional appointment as Assistant Extension Educator, Job code 9625ST. The appointment is reviewed for renewal annually, with continuation dependent on performance, results, availability of county funds, and program needs.Â
- Internal promotion is available. Meeting the promotion policy criteria to achieve promotion is expected.
- A full University of Minnesota benefits package is available: https://hr.umn.edu/Jobs/Applicant-Center/About-Working-U/Benefits-Summaries-Prospective-Employees.
- Salary commensurate with education and experience. Minimum starting salary is $51,000-$58,000 and will be negotiated at time of offer.
- Reimbursement for travel and subsistence is available in accordance with University policy.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in agronomy, agricultural economics, agricultural engineering, or related discipline.
- Post-bachelor’s experience providing technical assistance to agricultural audiences that improves water quality through agricultural land use. This experience can include practices to support regenerative agriculture, soil health, and innovative conservation practices.
- A proven ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships and collaborations with colleagues, stakeholders, and communities, including those that may have diverse missions, goals, cultures, and backgrounds.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications:
- A master’s degree in agronomy, agricultural economics, agricultural engineering, or related discipline.
- Three (3) or more years of professional work experience in agronomy, water resources, agricultural economics, agricultural engineering, soil health, hydrology, soil science, or related discipline.
- Experience designing, delivering and evaluating educational programs in agriculture or water resources.
- Understanding of federal, state, and local rules and regulations governing water resources.
- Current or past farming experience in the Midwest.
- Advanced skills using technology for educational programming, reporting, social media.
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. Overnight travel across Minnesota will be required an average of 3-4 times per year for 1-2 nights per trip.
- Must be able to travel within the designated communities and provide in-person programming.
- 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. Evening or weekend work will occur on an average of once a month, although the frequency may vary over the course of a year.
- Must have reliable internet connection if/when working outside of assigned office location.
- Working ability to perform tasks involving frequent repetitive motions, prolonged sitting, standing, bending, twisting, lifting, and carrying 10 pounds frequently, with occasional exertion of up to 30 pounds of force.
- This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship.
About the Department
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. Find further information at https://extension.umn.edu/
How To Apply
Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click on the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position. Please include the following attachments with your online application:
- Cover letter
- Resume/Vitae
- Diversity statement: In 500 words or less, highlight your unique strengths, experiences, perspectives, and values as they relate to equity, diversity and inclusion. Your statement could include the following:
Three professional references and transcripts for all college work (unofficial transcripts are acceptable) will be required during the interview process.
Additional documents may be attached after the application by accessing your “My Job Applications” page and uploading documents in the “My Cover Letters and Attachments” section. See full instructions, https://hr.umn.edu/Jobs/Applicant-Center/Help-Job-Applications/Using-Job-Application-System.
To request an accommodation during the application process, please email employ@umn.edu or call 612-624-UOHR (8647).
For questions about this position, contact:
Joel Larson, Associate Director, Water Resources Center; and Program Leader, ANR, jplarson@umn.edu.
For questions about applying online, contact:
Tiffany McMillan, Extension Human Resources, tiffmcm@umn.edu.
Diversity
The University of Minnesota and Extension recognize and value the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.
The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu.
Employment Requirements
Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.
About the U of M
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation’s most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.
At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America’s Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).
