Extension Specialist – Walla Walla Regional Agronomist Washington State University, United States

Description

The Extension Agriculture & Natural Resources (ANR) Program Unit at Washington State University (WSU) invites applications for a permanent, 12-month, full-time, tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant Professor. The position is headquartered at the WSU Extension Walla Walla County Office in Walla Walla, Washington and will serve the dryland agronomy needs in Southeastern Washington State.

The opportunity

This position is responsible for leading outreach for agricultural extension programs in dryland agronomy and cropping systems across Walla Walla County and Southeastern Washington. Program emphasis will focus on agronomic crop production, cropping systems, and soil health along with farm enterprise management and decision support systems. This position is expected to develop and conduct outreach and Extension programming based on sound agronomic practices, and on-farm research in collaboration with other Extension and research Faculty. This position will join and contribute to WSU Extension teams to address issues and opportunities of highest priority to area farmers in Walla Walla and other Southeastern Washington counties.

The incumbent will be expected to acquire extramural funding to develop, sustain and strengthen ongoing programs as well as new program initiatives. This person will also facilitate and promote WSU programs and research opportunities through collaborative relationships with other Extension Specialists and WSU Researchers.

This position is responsible to the Director of the WSU Extension Agriculture & Natural Resources (ANR) Program Unit and works collaboratively with the County Director and Extension Faculty across the region and on WSU campuses.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead an Extension program that provides agricultural production and farm management education to growers, agribusinesses, and other stakeholders. Focus areas may include soil health and fertility, cropping systems, IPM, alternative crops, and decision support systems for agriculture.
• Develop an applied, researched-based program with Extension components using web-based technologies, conferences, classes, workshops, newsletters, and social and mass media.  Audiences will include large and small acreage producers, landowners, and managers, consumers, special interest groups, professional groups, and elected officials.
• Conduct needs assessments to inform the program and integrate the outcomes into program planning, implementation, delivery, and outcome evaluation.
• Develop curricula or publications in print and electronic formats for target audiences, as well as scholarly articles and publications for appropriate professional journals.
• Engage in grant development and secure extramural resources to advance agriculture and cropping systems through applied research and outreach.
• Collaborate and cooperate with internal and external agricultural partners, including faculty and staff at Research and Extension Centers, county and tribal locations, and university campuses.
• Seek affiliate faculty status with the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences or other Departments or Centers within the WSU College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences.
• Participate as a member of the Blue Mountain Extension Team (Walla Walla, Asotin, Columbia, Garfield, and Whitman Counties), WSU Dryland Cropping Systems Team, and other programmatic teams of faculty and staff serving the region.
• Contribute to local, university, state, and federal recognition of WSU Extension as an essential education and applied research resource.

Required qualifications

• Earned Master’s degree in agronomy, plant science, soil science, or other discipline directly related to the subject matter areas of this position by date of hire.
• Demonstrated expertise and knowledge in cropping systems and innovative farming practices.
• Demonstrated ability to lead as well as to participate in interdisciplinary teams.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively using verbal, written, and listening skills in relating to diverse audiences, including large and small acreage producers, landowners, and managers, consumers, special interest groups, professional groups, and elected officials.

Preferred qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to develop and deliver educational programs using a variety of modern methodologies.
• Demonstrated skill in applied research and demonstration methodologies for agricultural practices.
• Demonstrated success in grant writing and extramural funds development.
• Documented record of scholarship in subject matter closely aligned with this position.
• Ability to conduct needs assessments and integrate into program planning, implementation, delivery, and outcome evaluation.
• PhD in agronomy or closely related discipline.

Job expectations

• Evening and weekend work may be necessary.
• Ability to travel year-round using own reliable transportation (mileage reimbursed) is required. The successful candidate must possess a valid driver’s license. While using a private vehicle for official business, current automobile liability insurance must be obtained (meeting the requirements described in RCW 46.30.020, and RCW 46.09.090).
• Extension faculty members are hired into the organization, not into a specific geographical location. It is possible that future circumstances may require relocation.
• Understand and carry out the principles and specific requirements of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Affirmative Action Plan, and all pertinent rules and regulations of WSU and the counties served.
• Acquire Washington State Department of Agriculture Public Operators Pesticide License and Demonstration and Research License.
• Employees will undergo background screening as a condition of employment.
• In accordance with Washington State Governor’s Proclamation 21.14.2, as a condition of employment, an employee must be fully vaccinated or have an approved medical/religious accommodation by time of hire.

Salary

Salary is commensurate with the candidate’s academic and professional qualifications, available funding, and an Extension faculty rank of Assistant Professor.

Location

Historic Walla Walla is a thriving, friendly community, located in the heart of southeastern Washington’s beautiful wheat and wine country. Of Walla Walla County’s 813,000 acres, more than 700,000 acres are in farmland. Walla Walla has long been known as one of the most fertile agricultural areas in the nation, producing such crops as wheat, apples, grapes, asparagus, strawberries and the famous Walla Walla Sweet Onions. Although not a large city, Walla Walla pulses with a strong sense of community and culture. Museums abound, as do art galleries, shops, theatrical productions, indoor and outdoor concerts, cafes and restaurants, wineries and tasting rooms. With all four seasons on display, you’ll find year-round outdoor activities, including nearby snow skiing, floating on our rivers and lakes, hiking in the mountains or just picnicking with your family.

WSU extension agriculture and natural resources program unit

The WSU Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Program Unit is one of three departmental units of Extension within the College of Human and Natural Resources Sciences (CAHNRS). ANR faculty and staff work at County Extension Offices and Research & Extension Centers across Washington. ANR faculty and staff actively engage with agricultural and natural resource stakeholders and industries, as well as the general public, to extend research-based information and conduct locally relevant applied research in the fields of agriculture and natural resource sciences.

The college of agricultural, human, and natural resource sciences

The College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS) at Washington State University is an expansive and diverse college that includes 12 academic units, three extension program units, four Research and Extension Centers, and one tribal and 39 county extension offices distributed across the state. CAHNRS fosters disciplines that serve at the interface of scientific discovery and its application to the advancement of society and improvement of the human experience. Our mission is to provide global leadership in discovering, accessing, and disseminating knowledge that contributes to producing a safe, abundant food and fiber supply; promotes the well-being of individuals, families, and communities; enhances sustainability of agricultural and economic systems; and promotes stewardship of natural resources and ecological systems. CAHNRS personnel embrace the opportunity to fulfill the university’s land-grant mission by making groundbreaking research discoveries, by utilizing innovative approaches to teaching and learning, and by delivering relevant, progressive extension programs that synergistically generate outcomes that enhance the quality of life for the citizens of Washington State, as well as for people around the globe.

For more information, visit http://cahnrs.wsu.edu.

Washington State University

Founded in 1890, Washington State University is a comprehensive land-grant university with teaching, research, and extension missions, and one of two research universities in Washington State. WSU is organized into ten academic colleges, the Honors College, and the Graduate School. It has an enrollment of more than 31,000 undergraduate and graduate students   on four campuses (Pullman, Spokane,  Tri-Cities, and Vancouver) with approximately 21,000 students located on the main campus in Pullman, WA. WSU ranks among the top 60 public research universities and is a Carnegie I, Doctoral/Research Extensive University. WSU strongly values diversity among its faculty, staff, and students and seeks to ensure a welcoming community for all.

Further information about WSU can be found at: http://www.wsu.edu

Additional Information:

COVID-19 Vaccine Information:

In accordance with Washington State Governor’s Proclamation 21.14.2, as a condition of employment, you must be fully vaccinated or have an approved medical/religious accommodation by time of hire. People are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving their last shot in a vaccine series. Full vaccination status or an approved accommodation will be verified prior to your first day of work. Should you not be fully vaccinated or have an approved medical/religious accommodation you will not be able to start employment with WSU. Information regarding vaccine verification and/or requesting a medical/religious accommodation is available at https://hrs.wsu.edu/covid-19/vax-verification/. Please contact HRS at [email protected] or 509-335-4521 if you have questions.

Area/College:
College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences

Department Name:

Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Program Unit

Salary:
Commensurate with the candidate’s academic and professional qualifications and available funding.

FTE:
100%

Tenure/Career Track:

Tenure Track

Position Type:

Permanent, 12-month

Screening Begin Date:

This position has been posted as Open until Filled. The screening of applicants will begin May 15, 2022.

Background Check:

This position has been designated by the department to require a background check.

Application Instructions:

Applications must include the following materials in their online application: 1) Cover letter describing how your work experience and training meet the responsibilities and qualifications for this position; 2) A statement of your contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion that describes your understanding of these issues, your record of activities to date, and plans and goals for advancing equity and inclusion if selected; 3) A current curriculum vitae; and 4) Name, title, organization, phone number, and e-mail address for four (4) people willing to serve as employment references.

All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.

Required Documents:

• Cover letter describing how your work experience and training meet the responsibilities and qualifications for this position
• A statement of your contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion that describes your understanding of these issues, your record of activities to date, and plans and goals for advancing equity and inclusion if selected
• A current curriculum vitae
• Name, title, organization, phone number, and e-mail address for four people willing to serve as employment references

Please send documents to Andy McGuire, at [email protected], 509-754-2011

Time Type:

Full time

Position Term:

12 Month

WSU 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, contact Human Resource Services: 509-335-4521 (v), Washington State TDD Relay Service: Voice Callers: 1-800-833-6384; TDD Callers: 1-800-833-6388, 509-335-1259(f), or [email protected].