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Extension Field Specialist, Food and Agriculture, Coos County
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Position Number: 3270213
Location: Durham, NH
Position Type: Agriculture - Environmental Science, Ecology & Forestry

Extension Field Specialist, Food and Agriculture, Coos County

The University of New Hampshire is an R1 Carnegie classification research institution providing comprehensive, high-quality undergraduate and graduate programs of distinction. UNH is located in Durham on a 188-acre campus, 60 miles north of Boston and 8 miles from the Atlantic coast and is convenient to New Hampshire's lakes and mountains. There is a student enrollment of 13,000 students, with a full-time faculty of over 600, offering 90 undergraduate and more than 70 graduate programs. The University actively promotes a dynamic learning environment in which qualified individuals of differing perspectives, life experiences, and cultural backgrounds pursue academic goals with mutual respect and shared inquiry.

The UNH Diversity Resource Guide with information and programming available in the seacoast area, New Hampshire, and the region can be found here: https://www.unh.edu/hr/diversity-resource-guide

Summary of Position:

This position is based at UNH Extension's Coös County office in Lancaster, N.H. The field specialist will provide formal and informal education to the agricultural community by organizing and implementing educational events including workshops, field tours, and grower meetings; disseminating current research-based information through the development of fact sheets, articles, and other print and web-based resources; and providing one-on-one instruction and technical assistance to farms, homestead operations and agricultural businesses of all sizes throughout the county to improve quality, sustainability, and profitability of products and services.

Duties/Responsibilities

Educational Programming

Provide one-on-one instruction and technical assistance to farms and homestead operations of all types and sizes to improve the quality, sustainability, and profitability of products and services.

Work independently and with a team of Extension state and field specialists to support, plan, develop, implement, and evaluate innovative, relevant, and impactful educational programs that enhance the profitability and sustainability of agricultural businesses in Coös County and statewide.

Disseminate current research-based information to clients through the development of fact sheets, articles, newsletters, and other print and web-based resources.

Connect agricultural businesses with appropriate Extension staff and programs as appropriate when client needs fall outside the field specialist's area of expertise. Work in partnership with the Extension Coös County Forester when appropriate, based on client needs.

Connect home gardeners and other community members with the services of Cooperative Extension, including the Master Gardener program and the Education Center Infoline.

Involve the Coös County Cooperative Extension Advisory Council and local agricultural agencies and organizations in an educational needs assessment.

Ensure programmatic involvement of underserved and underrepresented audiences and that all educational programming is designed and conducted in full accordance with civil rights, Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), Affirmative Action (AA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Engagement, Outreach, and Communication

Develop partnerships and serve on committees and boards with local and state agricultural agencies and organizations such as Coös County Conservation District; Natural Resources Conservation Service; and N.H. Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food. Strive for productive relationships with elected and appointed officials.

Support the Extension Coös County Office Administrator (COA) in the performance of their duties, carry out appropriate delegated responsibilities, and serve as the COA when the need is identified and as advised by the program team leader and Extension administration.

Professional Development

Develop and implement a professional development plan to maintain and enhance competence in appropriate agriculture subject areas and professional skills such as leadership, group process and facilitation, use of technology, and instructional design.

Additional duties

Accomplish other duties as assigned by the program team leader.

Additional Job Information

UNH is a federal contractor within the meaning of the Executive Order on Ensuring Adequate COVID Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors. This position may require that you be vaccinated against COVID-19 in the future, unless you apply for and receive a religious or medical exemption. You may not test out of this requirement.

Other Minimum Qualifications

A Master's degree and two years of relevant experience in agricultural education is strongly preferred. At least one degree must be in agriculture or a closely related field, earned from an accredited institution. Applicants with a bachelor's degree in an appropriate field with three years of relevant experience may be considered contingent upon their agreement to obtain a master's degree within seven years of employment. UNH's tuition benefit, which begins after one year of employment at UNH, covers the cost of tuition and fees for up to five courses per fiscal year at all USNH institutions.
Subject matter competence in agricultural subjects of significance to farms in northern New Hampshire.

Experience working with commercial agricultural producers and organizations.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Demonstrated willingness to learn on an ongoing basis.

Ability to work effectively and cooperatively with coworkers and clients with a variety of values and interests and of all ages, ethnic backgrounds, incomes, and education levels.

Willingness and ability to accomplish year-round field work and be available to work some nights and weekends.

Maintain a valid driver's license and access to a personal vehicle for frequent local travel. Mileage will be reimbursed at the federal rate.

Additional Preferred Qualifications

Demonstrated competency in presenting educational programs.

Experience or familiarity with Extension programs.

Salary Information

Salary is complemented by a comprehensive benefits package which includes medical, dental, retirement, tuition, and paid time off.

Applicants must apply https://jobs.usnh.edu/postings/49390

The University System of New Hampshire is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access/Affirmative Action employer. The University System is committed to creating an environment that values and supports diversity and inclusiveness across our campus communities and encourages applications from qualified individuals who will help us achieve this mission. The University System prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or marital status.