Extension Agent, Agriculture and Natural Resources/Cass County

Position Description:
The Extension Agent will work collaboratively with a team of Extension and research professionals and volunteers to provide innovative leadership for the Cass County Extension agriculture and natural resources program. The primary duties include teaching, facilitating and collaborating to meet county resident needs including: agronomy/cropping systems, farm business management/crop marketing, community economic development, 4-H youth development, and urban-specific and some rural production/management of livestock. Supervision is provided by the Extension District Director serving Cass County.

This is a full-time position planning and delivering educational programs in Cass County and, when appropriate, programming cooperatively in neighboring counties. This position is based in the Cass County office of NDSU Extension, which is located in Fargo, ND.

This position includes, but is not limited to, the following responsibilities:

Educate
- Teach, deliver and evaluate programs in agronomy/cropping systems, farm business management/crop marketing, community economic development, 4-H youth development, and urban-specific and some rural production/management of livestock. Successful Extension programs will require you to:
- Conduct periodic county needs assessments to identify issues and use data for program planning.
- Interpret and integrate pertinent research information into educational programs.
- Develop expertise in a subject matter competency area, and to plan, implement and deliver educational programs on a county and/or communities-of-interest basis.
- Evaluate and market the impact of the educational programs delivered.
- Cultivate a strong relationship with and use multiple media outlets and resources.
- Assist county and state 4-H programming and lead some 4-H youth development-based educational programs with a measurable impact on enhancing life skills of youth, adults and volunteers.
- Provide community and economic development education relating to the agriculture and natural resources program.
- Participate in professional development experiences offered by NDSU Extension and other entities, as appropriate.

Collaborate and Facilitate
- Cooperate and collaborate with local, county and state agencies, organizations and businesses to enhance agricultural leadership and programming opportunities, and utilize stakeholder input to formulate program plans to address issues that affect people throughout their life span.
- Collaborate with NDSU professionals to develop interdisciplinary programs, some of which will be delivered on a community of interest or program team basis.
- Develop and implement volunteer recruitment and provide training and management systems.

Other
• Assure compliance with equal opportunity policies.
• Some weekend and evening work is required.
• Travel within the county and district is required. Occasional travel outside the district is required. Overnight trips will also be required on occasion in the district and state for meetings and professional development.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of Extension programming.
• Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States at the time of employment.

Behavioral expectations include:
• Work ethically, with integrity, and respect confidentiality.
• Contribute to a healthy environment of cooperative, supportive and positive working relationships with co-workers and clientele.
• Resolve differences constructively by using tact and courtesy.
• Use effective time management and prioritization skills with multiple demands on time and resources.
• Be prepared and prompt in attendance for work and meetings and be fully engaged.
• Exhibit a positive attitude, image and personal motivation. Be a professional at all times.
• Be an active learner to keep relevant with new teaching strategies, advances in the professional field, technology, news and with related research.
• Be an effective relationship-builder with community members (including county leaders, organizations), NDSU Extension employees, peers and supervisor.
• Be self-directed with little supervision in the work environment.
• Commitment to professional development.

Minimum Qualifications:
1. Bachelor's degree in agronomy, agricultural economics, crop science, production agriculture, agribusiness, agriculture communication, or agricultural education required by date of hire
2. Agricultural-related experience and/or internship
3. Demonstrated ability to plan and communicate (i.e. presentation skills, strong writing, and social media usage)
4. Interpersonal and relationship-building skills
5. Access to a personal vehicle
6. Valid driver's license
7. Effective oral and written communication skills

Preferred Qualifications:
1. Master's degree in an agricultural-related field
2. Demonstrated experience in local cropping and farming practices
3. Recent Extension work experience
4. Experience with 4-H and/or other youth programs
5. Teaching experience in a formal or informal setting
6. Experience working with various ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds
7. Ability to design, promote, implement and evaluate educational programs
8. Leadership skills as demonstrated by roles in college, career and/or community activities
9. Knowledge of urban and rural livestock practices

Open Until Filled: Yes
Search Type: Internal/External Simultaneously: Open to all applicants
Special Instructions to Applicants:
Please describe how you meet each of the minimum qualifications and any/all of the preferred qualifications in the cover letter.
Include all transcripts from secondary education.
Complete contact information for three persons familiar with your professional training and/or work experience is required-these should not be the same as the references listed on your application.
Please upload this as "Other Documents 1."
Screening for this position will begin November 28, 2018 and continue until the position is filled.

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.
Location (City, State): Fargo, North Dakota

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

1. * How did you hear about this position?
   • Academic Department
   • Bismarck Tribune
   • CareerFargo.com
   • Chronicle of Higher Education
   • Fargo Forum
   • JobsHQ
   • Friend/Co-worker/Family member
   • Higheredjobs.com
   • Indeed.com
   • Job Service of North Dakota
   • NDSU Employee
   • NDSU Website
   • Other newspaper (Please specify below)
   • Professional Publication/Organization Website
   • University Placement Office
   • Inside Higher Education
   • Other (Please specify below)
2. If Other, please specify:
   (Open Ended Question)
   
3. * Do you now or will you in the future require sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g. H-1B visa status)?
   • Yes
   • No
4. * Do you have a Bachelor's degree in a discipline related to the position responsibilities with the academic capacity to enroll in a relevant graduate program in the future?
   (Open Ended Question)
   
5. Are you a North Dakota resident?
   • Yes
   • No
6. Do you qualify for North Dakota veteran's preference?
   • Yes
   • No
7. If yes, list exact dates of service:
   (Open Ended Question)
   
8. Do you qualify for North Dakota disabled veteran's preference?
   • Yes
   • No

Applicant Documents
Required Documents

1. Cover Letter
2. Resume
3. Unofficial Transcript 1
4. Other Document 1

Optional Documents

1. Veterans Preference Claim Form (DD214)
2. Veterans Administration Letter
3. Unofficial Transcript 2
4. Unofficial Transcript 3
5. Other Document 2
6. Other Document 3