Description & Details:
North Dakota State University (NDSU) Extension is looking for a highly motivated educator to serve as an Extension Specialist (1.0 FTE with a 90% Extension and 10% applied research appointment, non-tenure track) with an emphasis in soil health. NDSU Extension is an organization that values people who excel, adapt quickly to changing circumstances, exhibit passion for helping others, and are excellent communicators. The Extension Soil Health 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 Soil Health Extension Specialist 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 soil health and associated agricultural issues, utilization, and management, by providing education to Extension agents, farmers and ranchers, landowners, agricultural lenders, agribusinesses, soil and water conservation boards, industry organizations, and agricultural processors. The Extension specialist will work closely with the other Soil Health Specialists, including campus-based Specialist and others within the NDSU Research and Extension Center system, and with North Dakota County Extension agents. It will be important to build collaborative relationships with stakeholders, including farmers, landowners, ag-industry and public agencies 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. North Dakota State University offers compensation and benefits including a retirement plan and full coverage family health insurance.
Responsibilities:
Develop an innovative Extension program that includes the identifying, assessing, and delivering of educational programs that will facilitate the development of soil health educational opportunities for Extension agents, producers, landowners, economic development leaders, industry, and entities of government.
Provide expertise for Extension agents, farmers, landowners and other stakeholders through continued education training to strengthen soil health knowledge base statewide.
Stay up-to-date on soil health issues in North Dakota by attending professional development opportunities provided through meetings, seminars, symposiums, conferences and other events.
Collaborate with and 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 School of Natural Resources and other agricultural departments.
Secure external funding for soil healthrelated Extension and programming efforts.
Assist the development and/or enhancement of existing soil health related youth programs.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
M.S. degree in an agricultural-related field, such as soil science, agronomy, plant sciences, range science or related discipline.
Academic training and/or experience crop production.
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.
Awareness and 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 drivers license.
Preferred Qualifications:
Ph.D. in an agricultural-related field, such as soil science, agronomy, plant sciences, range science or related discipline.
Research or Extension experience in soil health grazing systems, livestock systems, and pasture utilization.
Familiarity with Northern Plains agriculture.
Knowledge of soil systems in North Dakota.
Experience in soils 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 supporting their Extension and/or research program 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 a license.
Certified Crop Advisor or ability to obtain the certification.
Applicant Materials Required:
Cover Letter College Transcripts Curriculum vitae Name and contact information for three professional references (must include contact information with telephone numbers and email addresses)
Screening will begin 9/25/23 and continue until filled
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.
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. 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!
The North Central Research Extension Center is one of seven out-state NDSU research extension centers. The NCREC is located one mile south of Minot, ND. Minot is a city of 50,000 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, livestock and energy production. More information is available at: https://minotchamberedc.com/
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.
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.
Veterans Preference Notice:
This position is subject to North Dakota Veterans Preference requirements.
Reasonable Accommodation Information
North Dakota State University is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education, and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, please contact Human Resources at 701-231-8961 or ndsu.hr@ndsu.edu.
Land Acknowledgement
We collectively acknowledge that 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. (see www.ndsu.edu/inclusioncouncil/native_american_initiatives/).