31-24 Extension County Specialist, Agriculture, Garfield County

at  Colorado State University

DESCRIPTION OF WORK UNIT

The Office of Engagement and Extension (OEE), in cooperation with the Colorado State University (CSU) colleges and other units, has general charge over the University’s educational programs and services across the areas of engaged scholarship, extension, and extended campuses, which complement and reinforce the research, teaching, and service missions of CSU. OEE is collaborative space for faculty, staff, and students pursuing and promoting community-based research, service-learning, industry partnerships, and other forms of scholarship of engagement. In partnership with the CSU colleges and other divisions, OEE faculty and staff work throughout the state of Colorado to engage individuals and communities in the design, implementation, and application of scholarship and educational opportunities. The OEE Vice President is the principal administrative, academic, and fiscal officer for the division, reports to the CSU President, and works closely with the Provost/Executive Vice President. OEE includes over 400 employees and operates with a total budget across the enterprises of approximately $85 million. OEE is one of the most institutionally comprehensive commitments to engagement and outreach among all land-grant and other universities. Propelled by OEE’s leadership, nationally CSU is a Carnegie Engaged University (2008, 2014), is a member of the Engagement Scholarship Consortium, is an APLU Innovation and Economic Prosperity University (2016) and is highly ranked for its online degree programs. CSU was established in 1870 and remains inspired by its land-grant heritage and world-class faculty, staff, and students. CSU enrolls approximately 33,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students, and is the largest employer in northern Colorado with more than 7,400 faculty and staff. Colorado State University is located 60 miles north of Denver in the beautiful city of Fort Collins.
CSU Extension, organized under OEE, is the academic unit designated to promote the land-grant mission of increasing access to education through the application of university knowledge “in the several pursuits and professions in life” for the people and communities of Colorado, across the United States, and around the world. In partnership with CSU’s colleges and external partners, CSU Extension amplifies the research, teaching, service, engagement, and extension missions of CSU. CSU Extension faculty aim to educate, create, and connect with learners through inclusive, transdisciplinary, and activated engaged scholarship, and innovative, accessible, and connected lifelong education. To learn more about CSU Extension, visit www.extension.colostate.edu.
Garfield County is in western Colorado and is experiencing a steady population and economic growth. According to the 2020 Census, Garfield County as 61,685 residents, with 24% of the population being Spanish speakers. The oil and gas industry has been prominent in Garfield County. Other major economic contributors are tourism and agriculture. The agriculture industry has seen an increased interest in small acreage and local food production. The communities in Garfield County (Carbondale, Glenwood Springs, New Castle, Silt, Rifle, Battlement Mesa and Parachute) have diverse economies, shopping opportunities, and housing choices. Garfield County is primarily rural, with 60% public land. Outdoor recreation opportunities abound and include hunting, fishing, hiking, rafting, biking, skiing, and other activities typically associated with Colorado. The Extension office is in the town of Rifle. Rifle offers easy access to a major interstate highway (I-70) and is within a one-hour drive time of the Grand Junction airport.
We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of all backgrounds and abilities. We invite you to review Colorado State University’s Principles of Community that guide our mission and vision of access, teaching, service, and engagement. Colorado State University encourages professional development and provides an Employee Study Privilege with up to nine credit hours of tuition assistance annually.

POSITION SUMMARY

OEE invites applications and nominations for an Extension County Specialist, Agriculture. This is a full-time, twelve (12) month, non-tenure track Extension faculty position. Faculty rank is dependent upon the candidate’s academic credentials and professional experience and is subject to review by the Extension Promotion Committee. The faculty appointment, evaluation, and promotion standards are centered around the three core duties of extension faculty – educate, create, and connect. Candidates are sought with interests that complement and expand upon current initiatives and education activities in OEE and CSU Extension.
Colorado State University Extension and Garfield County are seeking an agriculture professional with the experience and skills to lead diverse and inclusive agriculture, livestock production, and small acreage for both adults and youth. This position develops, markets, and delivers non-credit educational programming in response to community needs. The person will have a proven track record of developing and managing volunteers, building program capacity, creating innovative programming opportunities, and fostering both internal and external collaboration and teamwork. The Extension Agent will be an effective communicator with the experience and skills to engage with a variety of people and groups. The individual in this position works as a member of the local county Extension team and as a local representative of Colorado State University. This individual works under the guidance and supervision of the Garfield County Extension Director.
The primary office location for this position is Rifle, Colorado. The work schedule will vary, and occasional nights and weekend work will be necessary. This is a fully in-office/in-person position that will work in the Garfield County Extension Office.

REQUIRED JOB QUALIFICATIONS

• Completed bachelor’s degree. The conferred degree must be in agriculture, ag economics, livestock production or a closely related field. (Please note, a successful candidate without a completed master’s degree will be required to complete a master’s degree within five years from the start of employment to advance through the faculty ranks. Failure to do so will result in termination unless a compelling reason is accepted by the Vice President of Engagement and Extension).
• 1+ years professional experience relevant to the Essential Job Duties (below) of this position.
• Course work and/or professional experience must provide a broad and significant understanding of small acreage, livestock production and ag economics associated with position.
• Must have a valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain a driver’s license or access to a licensed driver by the employment start date.
• The successful candidate must be legally authorized to work in the United States by the proposed start date; Extension will not sponsor a visa for this position.
  If selected candidate has a bachelor’s degree, candidate will begin at Instructor rank. Faculty rank will be determined by candidate’s academic credentials and professional experience (Faculty Rank Supplemental PDF).

PREFERRED JOB QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree.
• Personal and/or professional commitment to diversity as demonstrated by persistent effort, active planning, allocation of resources and/or accountability for diversity outcomes.
• Experience in fund raising, grantsmanship, and cost recovery efforts.
• Supervision of staff or volunteers.
• Experience working with teams in planning educational events, fund raising and grantsmanship.
• Experience marketing and/or delivering educational programming using online, mass media, and/or social media methods.
• Bilingual (English-Spanish) speaking ability, including proficiency in conversational Spanish.
• Knowledge or program development and evaluation in the areas of production agriculture, livestock, and small acreage.
• Ability to communicate through teaching, public speaking/presentation and writing as demonstrated through application materials and experience.
• Demonstrated experience working with people as individuals and in groups; ability to forge equitable and successful partnerships with other professionals and organizations.
• Demonstrated use of technology in managing and/or delivering educational programs.

Please refer the Job description for details