Cropping Systems Extension Specialist

Position Information

Position Description and Details

The North Dakota State University (NDSU) Extension is looking for a highly motivated educator and to serve as an Extension specialist in agronomy for northeast North Dakota. NDSU Extension is an organization that values people who excel, adapt easily, exhibit passion for helping others, and are excellent communicators. The extension specialist is a member of a statewide Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources team responsible for providing leadership to create and deliver innovative learning experiences that empower North Dakotans to improve their lives and communities.

The Extension specialist in agronomy is responsible for providing innovative Extension programing that will serve a diverse clientele of producers, as well as industry and advisory groups. Programing will focus primarily on production agriculture issues and providing education to Extension agents, producers, and agricultural processors. The extension specialist will work closely with Extension agents and build collaborative relationships with stakeholders to achieve goals. This position will be based at the NDSU Langdon Research Extension Center (LREC) located near Langdon, ND. The LREC Director will provide supervision for this position. North Dakota State University offers compensation and benefits including retirement plan and full coverage family health insurance.

Responsibilities:

• Develop an innovative Extension program that includes the identification, assessment, and delivery of educational programs that will facilitate the development of crop production education opportunities for Extension agents, producers, landowners, economic development leaders, industry and entities of government.

• Provide assistance in the development and/or enhancement of existing agonomy related youth programs.

• Provide expertise and continuing education training to Extension agents and clients to strengthen the knowledge base of Extension personnel statewide.

• Provide expertise and assistance in crop production and agronomic issues to extension agents and other clients.

• Stay current of production issues on crops grown in northeast ND by pursuing professional development opportunities through meetings, seminars, sympsiums, etc.

• Collaborate to build strong working relationships with appropriate Extension specialists, research faculty, Extension agents, LREC employees and associated agricultural clientele to deliver statewide crop production related programs.

• Develop individual and team based Extension programs and publications that disseminate information to producers, industry personnel, and Extension agents.

• Communicate with other Extension personnel, appropriate Research Extension Center personnel, and producers about issues that need new or additional research. When appropriate, provide leadership for the development and demonstration of novel management strategies that ensure program relevancy and the ability to guide producer efforts to adapt to changing production systems.

• Develop relationships and cooperate with research and Extension faculty within the NDSU Department of Plant Sciences and other agricultural departments.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule

Monday through Friday from 8:00am until 4:30pm. 30 minutes off for lunch. Based on a 40 hour work week.

Advertised Salary

$70,000 to $75,000 per year.

Minimum Qualifications

• M.S. degree in agriculturally related field.

• Knowledge of crops grown in northeast North Dakota.

• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.

• Demonstrated effectiveness in working with varied audiences, including individuals and groups, as a team member.

• Proficiency in a variety of computer programs for use in developing and delivering educational programs.

• Valid driver's license.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. in agriculturally related field.

• Experience in field crop research.

• Experience working with the Cooperative Extension Service.

• Demonstrated skills in web-based education, social media platforms and other modes of communication.

Applicant Materials Required

Cover Letter

College Transcripts

Resume

Two letters of Recommendation

Screening will begin 6/23/21

Benefits:

NDSU offers a comprehensive benefits package with includes single or family health insurance coverage with premiums paid for by the university - with an effective date for new employees the first of the month following date of hire. Other benefits include, wellness benefits, basic life insurance, retirement plan, tuition waiver, annual leave, EAP, sick leave and holiday pay. Optional benefits include supplemental life, dental, vision, long-term care insurance, flexible spending account, and supplemental retirement plans.

Land Acknowledgement

We collectively acknowledge that we gather at NDSU, a land grant institution, on the traditional lands of the Oceti Sakowin (Dakota, Lakota, Nakoda) and Anishinaabe Peoples in addition to many diverse Indigenous Peoples still connected to these lands. We honor with gratitude Mother Earth and the Indigenous Peoples who have walked with her throughout generations. We will continue to learn how to live in unity with Mother Earth and build strong, mutually beneficial, trusting relationships with Indigenous Peoples of our region.

About Us

North Dakota State University is distinctive as a student focused, land-grant, research university. Our main campus is located in Fargo, ND with Extension Service and Research Experiment Station locations across the entire state. NDSU has been listed in the Top 100 public research universities in the United States for research and development in agricultural sciences, psychology and social sciences, based on reported research expenditures.

NDSU is an exciting place to work offering a stimulating and diverse environment richly populated with people pursuing life-long learning and personal growth. Employees often attend on-campus cultural events, lectures, athletic events and enjoy walks through our beautiful campus.

NDSU employs over 6000 full-time and part-time employees across the state, making it the second largest employer in the community. NDSU is the best college in ND, according to Money Magazine (September 2018). NDSU was named a 2019 Best Value College by Forbes. Fargo made Livability.com's top 10 list of cities to find a job and ranked at #11 for best places to live overall.

NDSU offers a wide array of professional opportunities including faculty, executive, managerial, professional, technical, paraprofessional, office support, servers and crafts/trades. Like a small city, NDSU operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Full time employees are offered a superb benefit package to include 100% company paid health insurance premiums and tuition assistance for employees and immediate family members. All of us at NDSU play an important role in serving our students and public constituencies. We encourage motivated and talented team members that thrive in a higher-ed environment to join our university!

Mission

With energy and momentum, North Dakota State University addresses the needs and aspirations of people in a changing world by building on our land-grant foundation.

Additional Information

No Smoking Notice:

As an employer, the State of North Dakota prohibits smoking in all places of state employment in accordance with N.D.C.C. § 23-12-10.

EO/AA Statement:

North Dakota State University is an Equal Opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, gender expression/identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, participation in lawful off-campus activity, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, public assistance status, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, spousal relationship to current employee, or veteran status, as applicable.

Veteran's Preference Notice:

This position is subject to North Dakota Veteran's Preference requirements.