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Extension Specialist-Forage Crops Production

Employer
North Dakota State University
Location
Minot, ND
Salary
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Industry
Manufacturing and Production
Role
Other
Job Type
Long-Term
Hours
Full Time

Job Details

Position Information

Position Description and Details
North Dakota State University (NDSU) Extension is looking for a highly motivated educator to serve as an Extension specialist (1.0 FTE, 100% Extension appointment) in forage crops production, utilization and management for North Dakota. NDSU Extension is an organization that values people who excel, adapts quickly, 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/forage crops production will be 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 forage crops production and agricultural issues, specifically in the areas of forage crops production, utilization and management, by providing education to Extension agents, farmers and ranchers, agricultural lenders, agribusinesses, industry organizations, 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 North Central Research Extension Center (NCREC) located near Minot, ND. The NCREC Director will provide supervision for this position.

Responsibilities
• Develop an innovative Extension program that includes the identifying, assessing, and delivering of educational programs that will facilitate the development of forage crops systems education opportunities for Extension agents, producers, landowners, economic development leaders, industry, and entities of government.
• Provide expertise and teach Extension agents and clients through continued education training to Extension agents and clients to strengthen the knowledge base of Extension personnel statewide.
• Provide expertise and assistance in forage crops issues to Extension agents and other clients.
• Stay up-to-date on forage crops issues in ND by pursuing professional development opportunities through meetings, seminars, symposiums, etc.
• Collaborate to build strong working relationships with appropriate Extension specialists, research faculty, Extension agents, NCREC employees and associated agricultural clientele to deliver statewide forage crops related programs.
• Develop individual and team-based Extension programs utilizing a variety of delivery methods and publications that disseminate information to producers, industry personnel, Extension agents, and Research Extension Centers.
• Communicate with other Extension personnel, appropriate Research Extension Center personnel, and farmers and ranchers about issues that need new or additional research. When appropriate, provide leadership for developing and demonstrating 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 Departments of Animal Sciences and Plant Sciences and other agricultural departments.
• Secure external funding for forage-related Extension and programming efforts.
• Assist the development and/or enhancement of existing forage related youth programs.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications
• M.S. degree in an agricultural-related field, such as agronomy, plant sciences, range science or related discipline.
• Academic training and/or experience with forage or grain crops production.
•Knowledge of forage production systems in Northern Plains.
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated effectiveness in working with varied audiences, including individuals and groups, as a team member and as an effective leader.
• Documented ability to publish Extension and/or research in refereed scientific journals or Extension-type articles/bulletins, including popular press articles.
• Documented ability to compete for extramural funding in relevant fields.
• Proficiency in a variety of computer programs for use in developing and delivering educational programs.
• Knowledge of current and emerging issues and production practices of livestock, forage crops and soil health.
• Ability to define, conduct and interpret applied research and demonstration projects.
• Valid driver's license.

Preferred Qualifications
• Ph.D. in an agricultural-related field, such as agronomy, plant sciences, range science or related discipline.
• Research or Extension experience of forage and grain crops production, forage crops type and variety selection, grazing systems, soil health, pest and disease management related to forage crops, livestock systems, and pasture utilization.
• Familiarity with Northern Plains agriculture.
• Experience in forage crops related research.
• Successful publication of Extension and/or research in refereed scientific journals or Extension-type articles/bulletins, including popular press articles.
• Demonstrated ability to secure extramural funds for Extension and programming efforts.
• Experience working with the Cooperative Extension Service.
• Demonstrated skills in web-based education, social media platforms and other modes of communication.
• ND Commercial Pesticide Applicator license or ability to obtain
• Certified Crop Advisor or ability to obtain

Applicant Materials Required:
Cover Letter, College Transcripts, Curriculum vitae, Name and contact information for three professional references (must include contact information- telephone numbers and postal and email addresses)

Screening will begin on 10/29/21

Benefits:

NDSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which 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 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. 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!

The North Central Research Extension Center is one of seven out-state NDSU research extension centers. The center is located one mile south of Minot, a city of 45,000 in north central North Dakota. Minot is an All-American City with excellent health, educational, recreational, and community facilities and a modern international airport. The area is noted for small grain, oilseed, pulse crop, livestock, and energy production. More information about the area is available at http://www.minotchamber.org/community/.

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.

Company

NDSU is recognized as one of the nation’s top 108 public and private universities.

North Dakota State University is an employer of choice with a commitment to offer a well-rounded benefits package for employees and their families.

NDSU is listed at 95 among 404 public universities based on the university’s research expenditures reported to the National Science Foundation. In addition, NDSU is listed in the National Science Foundation’s top 100 in several areas, including: agricultural sciences; business management and business; communications; materials science; natural resources and conservation science; social sciences; sociology, demography, and population studies; and visual and performing arts.

Company info
Website
Location
1340 Administration Ave.
Fargo
ND
58102
United States

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