Job Details

This ad is expired.

Extension State Specialist, Entomology and Integrated Pest Management
Go to our website »

Position Number: 3162355
Location: Durham, NH
Position Type: Agriculture - Entomology

Extension State Specialist, Entomology and Integrated Pest Management

Institution Information

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

The Extension state specialist in entomology and integrated pest management provides statewide leadership in agricultural integrated pest management, undertaking engaged outreach as the state's IPM coordinator and serving as project director on Extension's federally funded IPM Extension Implementation Plan. This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position based at the University of New Hampshire's Durham, N.H. campus. It is a non-tenure track, 100% Extension appointment.

The specialist will collaborate with faculty, Extension specialists, and agricultural stakeholders to lead and support outreach efforts as part of a team that is working to develop and implement innovative, relevant, and impactful programming focused on sustainable management of pest populations. This position will primarily address the needs of vegetable and fruit crop producers, with the aim of helping the diverse agricultural businesses of the state and region become more economically and environmentally sustainable. Areas of emphasis may include emerging insect pests, biological controls, environmentally and economically viable pest management strategies, and insecticide resistance. The candidate may provide support roles in other aspects of entomology as well.

The specialist will provide instruction and technical assistance to clients including farm businesses, Extension field specialists, technical service providers, and partner agencies, and will disseminate current research-based information through seminars, face-to-face meetings, webinars, field demonstrations, print/web resources and other appropriate methods.

Strong synergies with UNH faculty and specialists working in diverse areas of agricultural systems including sustainable horticulture, crop development, and protected agriculture are expected. The successful candidate will participate in the development of connections between local agricultural producers and University researchers. They will contribute to or conduct practical applied on-farm research to support the state and region's agricultural community. The specialist will engage with undergraduate and graduate students through classes and mentorship. The specialist will work with industry and Extension colleagues across the New England states and will compete successfully in national and regional funding initiatives. Beginning in the second year of employment, state specialists must generate 25% of annual salary from external grants and contracts. Duties/Responsibilities

Educational Program Development and Delivery

Develop and implement innovative outreach programs for New Hampshire's horticultural crop producers with a focus in integrated pest management.

Serve as N.H.‘s IPM coordinator, which includes the role of project director on Extension's federally funded IPM Extension Implementation Plan.

Provide leadership and support to Extension field specialists in the development, implementation, and evaluation of high-impact educational programs.

Assist in the identification of crop insect pests and damage, and provide growers and specialists with management recommendations.

When appropriate, contribute to and/or conduct practical applied on-farm research to support the state and region's agricultural community.

Facilitate synergies between UNH Extension, the NH Agricultural Experiment Station and the state's agricultural communities. When appropriate, incorporate NHAES research and researchers into Extension programming.

As appropriate, contribute to the educational offerings of the College of Life Sciences and Agriculture as a lecturer in undergraduate courses in the Department of Agriculture, Nutrition and Food Systems.

Ensure programmatic involvement of underserved and underrepresented audiences and ensure that all educational programming is conducted in full accordance with Civil Rights, Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), Affirmative Action (AA) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) policies and procedures.

Assess statewide, regional, and national needs, challenges and trends in integrated pest management issues and use this information as a basis for program development.

Collaborate with colleagues internal and external to UNH to develop, implement and evaluate multi-state outreach programs and products.

Publish and disseminate information to peers and to clientele groups through appropriate presentations, publications, and electronic delivery systems.

Compete successfully in national and regional funding initiatives, generating 25% of annual salary from external grants and contracts beginning in the second year of employment.

Collaborative Networking

Build and maintain partnerships with university faculty and with relevant local, state, regional and national agencies and associations including the New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the New Hampshire Vegetable and Berry Growers' Association, and the New England Vegetable and Fruit Conference.

Organizational Support

Serve in UNH Extension organizational leadership or committees, and support team development by serving in a mentor capacity as needed and where appropriate.

Professional Development

Participate in professional development to enhance competence in the appropriate disciplines.

Obtain and maintain a commercial pesticide applicator's license in the State of New Hampshire.

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

Ph.D. in entomology or other closely related discipline.

Demonstrated knowledge of entomology, arthropod identification, integrated pest management strategies, and problem-solving skills.

Demonstrated effective interpersonal and written communication skills.

Demonstrated ability to work well as part of a team.

Experience in planning and delivering educational programs for adult audiences.

Willingness and ability to establish and work with a diverse network of constituents and community members across race, gender, socioeconomic class, disabilities and other differences to assist with program development and outreach.

Ability to regularly travel throughout the state, as well as travel in the region. Travel costs will be reimbursed at the federal rate.

Additional Preferred Qualifications

Enthusiasm for working with agricultural producers and gardeners of all scales and production systems.

Experience in securing competitive extramural funding.

Experience in conceiving, planning, undertaking, and disseminating independent applied research.

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/48599

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.