ABOUT THIS POSITION

The University is looking for a .4 FTE Extension educator and is seeking candidates with skills/experience in: engaging stakeholders in a range of topic areas including horticulture, arboriculture, and agriculture; developing and strengthening networks; and teaching and facilitating informal educational programs that are relevant to Otter Tail County. This position will deliver research informed horticulture, yard and garden, and agricultural programs that are adapted to support the needs of Otter Tail County. This will involve partnering with local community partners and stakeholders to support program development, delivery, marketing, evaluation, and coordination of logistics.  The Extension educator will be responsible for determining local needs involving Extension programming and will provide technical assistance and information in the areas of horticulture, arboriculture, food systems, and agriculture, as well as oversight of the Master Gardener program and volunteers.  The successful candidate will demonstrate an ability to be innovative and apply knowledge to new/future programs that support and enhance the quality of life for citizens in the County. Effort will be required to maintain competency in multiple discipline areas in Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (AFNR), as well as knowledge of local/federal/state related programs.

THIS POSITION WILL:

1. Provide research-based educational resources to residents of Otter Tail County.
2. Build trusted relationships and partnerships with community members and leaders.
3. Provide relevant education and support to Otter Tail County residents in the areas of horticulture, arboriculture, agriculture, and food systems.
4. Design/conduct educational programs and make them accessible and welcoming to diverse participants.
5. Provide technical assistance and expertise in the areas of horticulture, arboriculture, food systems, and agriculture.
6. Communicate effectively and positively with colleagues and stakeholders about the work.

For example:

• Design, develop, deliver/implement, and evaluate local AFNR educational program offerings based on local needs and expectations, developing and maintaining effective county, regional, University and state partnerships that support the development and delivery of Extension educational programs. Primary areas of focus include: sustainable farming, water quality, and local foods/nutrition (community gardens, food safety).
• Provide oversight for the Master Gardener program, which includes: managing recruitment, communications, program planning, financial management, and ensuring their work focuses on education of others and aligns with state program focus and needs, as well as county needs.
• Provide technical assistance and information in the areas of horticulture, arboriculture, and agriculture, food safety, and food systems based on local needs and expectations.
• Adapt Extension programs for audiences with a range of knowledge, background, and cultures.
• Work in collaboration with entities such as Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD), Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), Health and Human services, Public Health and other community-based non-profits.
• Ensure that Extension programs, facilities, committees, and employment opportunities are accessible to new, diverse, and historically underserved audiences.
• Foster and contribute to a positive work climate with colleagues, advisory groups, audiences and partnerships.
• Collaborate and connect with other Extension and/or community resources to help support the diverse needs of the community, acting as a bridge between the community and other Extension/University resources.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Education:  Bachelor’s degree is required by the start date of the position. At least one degree in an agriculture related discipline is required, i.e., horticulture, plant science, agronomy, food systems, animal science, agricultural communications, biology, or closely related discipline is required.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Demonstrated strong oral and written communication skills
• Strong group facilitation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to create new educational programs based upon past successes or failures.
• 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, cultures (including Hispanic and native), socio-economic levels, ages, and backgrounds.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion.
• Experience recruiting for and leading programs intended for multicultural learners.
• Demonstrated skill in Microsoft and Google suite applications
• Ability to actively participate in web-based communication, education, and training.

Additional Requirements:

• Must have a valid driver’s license and own means of reliable transportation with required liability insurance.
• Use of a reliable cell phone/smartphone; reimbursement is not provided. Must have a personal cell phone that can be used for work purposes and published in the Extension public staff directory.
• Must have reliable internet if/when working outside of assigned office location.
• Ability to maintain a flexible work schedule, including occasional evening and weekend work.
• Working ability to perform tasks involving sitting, standing, bending, or twisting, with occasional exertion of up to thirty pounds of force.
• Ability to work on a computer for prolonged periods of time.
• Must be able to lift, push, pull 15 lbs routinely and 40 lbs rarely as well as sit or stand for prolonged periods of time.
• Must be able to travel within the designated communities and provide in‐person programming.
• Must be able to submit proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or submit a completed religious/medical exemption and agree to comply with the University’s testing requirement.
• Must be eligible to work in the United States; this position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship.

 Preferred Skills/Abilities: 

• Experience developing and delivering education and resources in the areas of horticulture, arboriculture, agriculture, or food systems.
• Experience as a volunteer or in managing volunteers.
• Experience developing and conducting educational programs.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development.
• Experience using technology for communication, information finding, teaching and reporting, including evidence of traditional (newspapers, radio, television) and social media expertise.
• Ability to articulate public value of community based educational programming.
• Previous experience as an Extension professional or other related educational position (within agriculture or horticulture) is preferred.
• Experience using distance technologies and social media to market and deliver educational programming.
• A Master’s degree is preferred.

For questions about this position, contact: Sarah Chur, Program Leader, Extension Center for Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources, bergsj@umn.edu.

Application review will commence on March 6, 2023.