Local recruitment: Extension Educator- Agricultural Water Management

• Job ID: 361815
• Location: All Other -See Job Description
• Job Family: Education-Extension
• Full/Part Time: Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Job Code: 9623
• Employee Class: Acad Prof and Admin

About the Job

Working Title:           Extension Educator, Agricultural Water Management

Appointment:            Full-time, Assistant Extension Professor (9623), P&A or Associate Extension Professor (9622), P&A

Location:                   Extension Regional Office, St. Cloud (preferred), Andover, Crookston, Farmington, Morris, or Willmar

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

Salary Range:           Estimated annual starting salary range, $59,000-68,000 for Assistant Extension Professor (9623), $69,000-$78,000 for Associate Extension Professor (9622) 

Apply By:                   July 14, 2024

ABOUT THIS POSITION

The Agricultural Water Management Extension Educator brings in-depth expertise to address complex agricultural water management issues, including irrigation and drainage. The educator will collaborate with diverse organizations to identify, develop, implement, and evaluate educational programs that will have a measurable benefit on water quality and quantity in agricultural landscapes. To be successful in applying for this position, a candidate should have an advanced degree and experience at the intersection of agriculture and water. The full list of required and preferred qualifications is below.

The Extension Educator will develop, implement, and evaluate online and in-person educational programs to educate farmers, agriculture professionals, and other key audiences about agricultural water management and related topics. These programs may include seminars, workshops, non-credit courses, and materials such as newsletters, fact sheets, articles, blog posts, and podcasts. The educator will lead or contribute to educational programs for new and existing Extension activities, including the Minnesota Irrigator Program, agricultural drainage information, field days, and other projects. The Educator is responsible for program development, delivery, and evaluation in cooperation with other teams at the University and with partners across the state. This position will occasionally collaborate with research faculty, but will not lead research projects and or supervise research staff. 

The position will work with a range of public, private, and non-profit partners including:

• Diverse landowners and farmers (large and small-scale, rural and urban, grain and specialty crop, etc);
• Diverse agricultural and natural resource organizations, including industry and non-profits (Minnesota Farm Bureau, Minnesota Farmers Union, Irrigators Association of Minnesota, and others); and 
• Federal, state, and local government agencies, such as the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Board of Water and Soil Resources, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Services, soil and water conservation districts and others.

This position is accountable to the Program Leader in Water Resources for program direction, performance evaluation, and personnel actions. The educator will participate in annual performance reviews and more frequent team and individual check-in conversations. Long-term success will be evaluated through the Extension promotion process.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Note: Percentages listed below express the relative workload for these tasks. They may vary slightly depending on the evolving needs of the position and experience of the individual hired.

• Lead and contribute to high-quality, research-based, Extension education programs to advance our water quality and quantity goals through agricultural water management, including drainage and irrigation (50%):
  • Identify educational needs and audiences;
  • Design curricula and materials;
  • Provide technical assistance on agricultural water management issues to stakeholders
  • Plan and implement workshops, field days, and other activities; and
  • Evaluate the impact of this work and how it may need to change in the future. 
• Develop and maintain effective state, regional, national, industry, and university partnerships that further the development and delivery of Extension educational programs (20%).
• Collaborate on applied research with partners, graduate students, and University faculty (e.g., the Extension specialists in irrigation and water management) (10%).
• Collaborate with communications staff at the Water Resources Center, Extension, and U of M to design, develop and implement program materials and marketing via websites and social media (10%).
• Participate in team meetings and serve on committees and boards (10%)
• Collaborate with new, diverse, and historically underserved audiences to develop programs that are customized to the needs of different cultural communities.

LOCATION OF POSITION

Extension Educator, Water Resources/Irrigation position will be housed at an Extension Regional Office in St. Cloud (preferred), Andover, Crookston, Morris, or Willmar. Even though the position will be located at a specific regional office, this position provides educational programs across the state, rather than in a single region. The position will have the opportunity for flexible work, including in-office, remote, and in-field work. 

This position will be expected to travel on day trips about 3-4 times per month; overnight trips within Minnesota about 1-2 times per month, for 1-3 nights; and trips outside of Minnesota about 1-2 times per year. 

The range of locations offers a mix of urban, suburban, and rural living and a wide range of amenities including dining, arts and entertainment, and year-round outdoor recreation. 

• St. Cloud – St. Cloud is the fifth largest metro area in Minnesota is a mid-point between the Minneapolis-St. Paul area and the large number of high-quality lakes in the central part of the state. 
• Andover – The Extension Regional Office in Andover is located within Bunker Hills Regional Park, which includes one of the only remaining oak savannas in Minnesota. Andover is in the north metropolitan area of Minneapolis-St. Paul.
• Crookston – In addition to having an Extension regional office Crookston is home to one of the University of Minnesota’s campuses. Crookston is home to the Grand Theatre, the oldest continuously operating movie theater in the U.S.
• Farmington – Farmington is a southern suburb of Minneapolis and St. Paul and offers 913 acres of park land, open space, and natural areas and 48 miles of trails.
• Morris – Located in west central Minnesota, Morris is home to both an Extension office and one of the U of M’s campuses. Morris has a strong focus on sustainability, including through the Morris Model, an award-winning group made up of partner organizations working together towards a shared vision of advancing a sustainable community in Morris, Minnesota and West-Central Minnesota.
• Willmar – Willmar is located in Kandiyohi County, which is home to 360 lakes and Sibley State Park. Living in Willmar provides easy access to parks and trails and is within two hours of other cities including Alexandria, St. Cloud, and the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area.

All of the communities are within two hours of a major airport (Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport or Fargo International Airport). 

SALARY/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. The estimated starting salary for this position is $59,000-$68,000 annually for the Assistant Extension Professor (9623) or $69,000-$78,000 for the Associate Extension Professor (9622), The salary and determination of whether an individual is qualified for the Assistant Extension Professor or Associate Extension Professor will be made at the time of offer and will be based on qualifications and experience. The Assistant Extension Professor classification is generally early to mid-career and where a majority of our Extension Educators are hired. Individuals with numerous years of directly related post-graduate degree experience may be eligible for the Associate Extension Professor classification.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• A master’s degree in a field closely related to agriculture and water, including but not limited to soil science, water resources science, agricultural engineering, hydrology, or agricultural education. 
• Demonstrated ability to communicate complex scientific information clearly and concisely in appropriate formats for various audiences, particularly in agriculture or water-related sectors.
• A proven ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships and collaborations with colleagues, partners, and stakeholders, including those that may have diverse missions, goals, and backgrounds (e.g., local landowners, agricultural organizations, and industry groups).
• Excellent communications skills, including oral, written, and graphic/image formats and the ability to use technology to enhance learning.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Three (3) or more years of professional work experience in fields of agricultural water management, irrigation, drainage, hydrology, soil science, or related disciplines.
• Experience designing, delivering, and evaluating educational programs in agricultural water management. 
• Experience in academic research projects.
• Experience working with diverse populations and communities.

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 and provide in-person programming.
• 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 thirty pounds of force
• This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship.

About the Department

ABOUT EXTENSION AND THE WATER RESOURCES TEAM

This position is a part of the Water Resources Team, a group of Extension professionals at the University of Minnesota who want every Minnesotan to have access to clean, abundant water. The team is a part of the University of Minnesota’s Water Resources Center that aims “To advance the science of clean water for Minnesotans through innovation, workforce development, and knowledge exchange.” As part of the Water Resources Team, this Extension Educator will also work with other program teams to leverage expertise related to cropping systems, livestock management, and natural resources, among others.

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:

1. Cover letter that describes how you meet the qualifications listed above and your interest in the position
2. Resume/Vitae that documents your experience and qualifications for the position
3. 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:

• Personalized views and experiences
• Topics through the lens of your own knowledge or experience
• If you don’t have personal experience on a topic, reflect on why
• Demonstrated learning and growth

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:

Chryseis Modderman, Extension Educator and Search Chair, cmodderm@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.