Extension Program Specialist I

Job Title

Extension Program Specialist I

Agency

Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Service

Department

Soil & Crop Sciences

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

Lubbock, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

Under general supervision, the Extension Program Specialist I will serve as an effective team member to plan, produce, implement, and evaluate educational programs, products, and services. Coordinate and assist with grant writing, drafting Extension publications, regional programming, off station field sites, and make on farm site visits. Assist with off-station research and demonstration plots including but not limited to Texas High Plains Replicated Agronomic Cotton Evaluations (RACE) trials, as well as small plot research at Lubbock, Halfway, and Lamesa, which includes planting, in-season notes, harvest, processing samples, and processing data.

Responsibilities:

Develops programs, services, products, and/or processes.

Determines the type of educational products and reports needed to meet the needs of external and internal clientele.
Manages projects and priorities in a timely manner.
Produces educational programs and services utilizing available technology in program development and delivery.
Develops effective learning environments for adult and/or youth audiences.
Identifies, trains, and supports volunteers to enhance effective adult and/or youth education programs.
Utilizes feedback and evaluations to improve teaching effectiveness.
Provides expertise for disciplinary, multi-disciplinary, and/or interdisciplinary programming and projects of the agency.
Coordinates agency activities with appropriate units and individuals in order to increase efficiency and effectiveness.

Other duties as required.
 

People

• Identify, train and support volunteers to enhance effective adult and/or youth education programs as appropriate for position.
• Contribute to faculty/staff training and assistance, as needed, and serve as a resource to other faculty and staff.

Programs

• Manage projects and priorities to effectively plan and deliver educational programs utilizing available technology in program development and delivery. 
• Work to effectively coordinate and integrate programs relevant to subject matter expertise.
• Determine and understand the needs and interests of targeted audiences for effective program delivery.
• Implement effective approaches to the problem-solving processes involved in producing educational programs and services for clientele.
• Develop effective learning environments for adult and youth audiences.
• Assess and report impacts of programs, utilizing feedback and evaluations to improve teaching effectiveness.
• Provide expertise for disciplinary, multi-disciplinary and/or interdisciplinary programming and projects of the agency.

Partnerships

• Support grant-seeking activities.
• Work cooperatively with industry and other external groups to advance organizational goals.
• Work with individuals, organizations, agencies and/or corporate entities to provide financial and in-kind support for Extension programming.
• Contribute effectively to coordinated program efforts which extend beyond the department or unit.
• Coordinate agency activities with appropriate units and individuals to increase efficiency and effectiveness.
• Contribute to professional and industry organizations through membership, attendance and service.

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in agriculture discipline.
• Five years of related experience.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Master's degree.

• More than five years of related experience.

• One year farm work using field equipment and implements

• Additional experience in research work including crop production, preferably with irrigated & dryland cotton production on the Texas High Plains.

Preferred licenses/certifications:

• Private applicator's license or ability to obtain one

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of word processing, database, presentation and spreadsheet applications.

Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others.

Excellent written and verbal communication, analytical, interpersonal, and organizational skills.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Ability to prepare educational resources

Ability to collect, analyze and report data

Knowledge of High Plains Crop production.

Ability to operate farm equipment.

Ability to assist with regional programming, off-station field sites, and make on farm site visits.

Ability to assist with grant writing and drafting Extension publications.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer.