Title:                      Extension Educator - Agriculture Production Systems

Appointment:      Full-time, Assistant Extension Educator, Job Code 9625ST

Funding:                Funded by Murray County at .6 FTE and Pipestone County at .4 FTE

Salary:                   $60,000 - $68,000; Depending on qualifications

Extension Dept:   Agricultural and Natural Resource Systems (ANR)

Office Location:   Extension Offices in Murray County (Slayton) & Pipestone County (Pipestone); Will have office responsibilities in both counties each week

Apply By:              January 13, 2025

ABOUT THE COUNTIES

Pipestone County is located on the western border of Minnesota, adjacent to South Dakota, and its county seat is the city of Pipestone. Murray County lies directly east of Pipestone County, and its county seat is Slayton. Together, the counties have a combined population of approximately 17,500 people. In 2022, there were 789 farms in Murray County with a $451,948,000 market value of ag products sold. There were 311 new and beginning farmers. In Pipestone County in 2022, there were 569 farms, with a $397,208,000 market value of ag products sold. There were 174 new and beginning farmers.

ABOUT THIS POSITION

The University is looking for candidates with skills and experience in engaging stakeholders in agriculture; developing and strengthening networks; and teaching and facilitating informal educational programs that are relevant to Murray and Pipestone Counties. The major emphasis area of the position is livestock education followed by commodity crop production education. The successful candidate will demonstrate an ability to apply knowledge to new and future programs that support and enhance the production and economic development of agriculture in Murray and Pipestone Counties. The Extension educator will have responsibility for determining local needs involving Extension programming and will provide technical assistance and information in the areas of agriculture, horticulture, and natural resources.  Examples of desired Extension educator focused work include livestock, crops, ag business, and farm safety topics. This position requires onsite work from the two office locations (Slayton and Pipestone) and out in the community, with the schedule determined by county and programming needs. 

THIS POSITION WILL: 

• Provide research-based resources in agriculture, horticulture, and natural resources to residents of Murray and Pipestone Counties.
• Build relationships with agriculture professionals, fostering educational efforts and economic development.
• Provide relevant education and support for agriculture, horticulture, and natural resources.
• Design/conduct educational programs offered within Murray and Pipestone Counties and make them accessible and inviting to diverse participants.
• Provide technical assistance and expertise in agriculture, horticulture, and natural resources.
• Communicate effectively and positively with colleagues and stakeholders about the work.

JOB DUTIES:

• Design, develop, deliver/implement, and evaluate local agricultural, horticultural, and natural resource educational programs based on local needs and expectations.
• Develop and maintain effective county, regional, University and state partnerships that further the development and delivery of Extension educational programs.
• Provide technical assistance and information in the areas of livestock, crops, agriculture business management, horticulture, and natural resources based on local needs and expectations.
• Engage with producers, agricultural professionals, and stakeholders to build rapport and working relationships to benefit educational efforts.
• Utilize numerous delivery methods to teach around agricultural issues that are important to maintaining the viability, profitability and sustainability of agricultural operations in both counties.
• Adapt Extension programs for audiences with a range of knowledge, background, and cultures.
• Work in collaboration with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) agencies, Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD), Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), county environmental and land management services, and agricultural and natural resources professional organizations to provide educational programs relevant to the county. 
• Ensure that Extension programs, facilities, committees, and employment opportunities are accessible to new, diverse, and historically underserved audiences.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelorâ™s degree in an agriculture related discipline, i.e., livestock production, agronomy, soils, agricultural economics, agriculture education, and/or other closely related field.
• Demonstrated strong English oral and written communication skills.
• 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, and backgrounds.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion.
• Skilled in Microsoft and Google Workspace applications.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Masterâ™s degree; preferably in an agriculture related discipline.
• Experience developing and delivering informal education programs in agriculture.
• Experience using technology for communication, information finding, teaching, and reporting.
• Experience using distance technologies and social media to market and deliver educational programming. 
• Ability to engage in web-based communication, education, and training.
• Ability to articulate the public value of educational programming in agriculture.
• Previous experience as an Extension professional or other educationally related position.

Additional Requirements:

• Must have a valid driver's license and own means of reliable transportation with required liability insurance. Reimbursement for travel and subsistence is available in accordance with University policy.
• Ability to work regularly at dedicated/assigned Extension offices in both Slayton and Pipestone; schedule dependent on county and programming needs.
• When not in the assigned office location, employees must be reachable with a mobile or alternate 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 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 20 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 inâperson programming.
• Must be eligible to work in the United States; this position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship.

About University of Minnesota Twin Cities

The University of Minnesota, founded in the belief that all people are enriched by understanding, is dedicated to the advancement of learning and the search for truth; to the sharing of this knowledge through education for a diverse community; and to the application of this knowledge to benefit the people of the state, the nation, and the world.

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