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Extension Field Specialist, Food and Agriculture, Hillsborough County

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Position Details

Summary

Operating Title Extension Field Specialist, Food and Agriculture, Hillsborough County
Long Classification Title
Campus Location Durham
Department UNH Cooperative Extension Food and Agriculture
Summary of Position
This position is located at Extension’s Hillsborough County Office in Goffstown, N.H.

The field specialist will provide technical assistance and develop educational programming in fruit and vegetable production to both new and experienced growers. Expertise in fruit or vegetable production is a priority for this position. Additional expertise in soil nutrition, integrated pest management or agricultural engineering is desirable. The candidate will work individually and as part of a team to host educational events and produce educational resources.
Acceptable minimum level of education
Acceptable minimum years of experience
Additional Job Information





Posting Number PS4517FY24
Other minimum qualifications
Minimum Acceptable Qualifications
  • A master’s degree and two years’ experience in agriculture is strongly preferred. At least one degree must be in an agriculture science, earned from an accredited institution. Applicants with a bachelor’s degree in an appropriate field with at least three years’ relevant experience may be considered contingent upon their agreement to obtain a master’s degree within seven years of employment.
  • High degree of subject matter competence in vegetable and fruit production, including problem diagnosis and best practices. Additional expertise in soil nutrition, insect and disease management, or agricultural engineering is desirable.
  • Experience working with commercial agricultural producers and organizations.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Ability to work effectively and cooperatively with coworkers and clients with a variety of values and interests and of all ages, ethnic backgrounds, income and education levels.
  • Willingness and ability to accomplish year-round field work and be available to work some nights and weekend days.
  • Demonstrated competency in presenting educational programs and using computers and current communication technology (e.g., presentation software, video conferencing, online reporting systems).
  • Maintain a valid driver’s license and access to a personal vehicle for frequent local travel. Mileage will be reimbursed at the federal rate.
  • Obtain a New Hampshire Commercial Not-for-Hire Supervisory Pesticide License within the first six months of employment.
Additional Preferred Qualifications
Salary Information
Salary is complemented by a comprehensive benefits package which includes medical, dental, retirement, tuition, and paid time off.
Quicklink for Posting https://jobs.usnh.edu/postings/60338
Percent Time Information (FTE) 1.0
Grade
EEO Statement

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.
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
Posting Details

Posting Date 03/20/2024
Open Until Filled Yes
Closing Date
Posting Open to Internal Candidates Only? No
Interested Internal Candidates Exist? No
Job Category
Appointment Type Grant Funded
If TERM position provide projected end date
Equipment/Instruments
Drivers License and Physical Requirements. Please check all items that apply. Valid Drivers License and Safe Driving Record

Duties / Responsibilities

Job Duties

Duty/Responsibility
Educational Program Development and Delivery, Educational Programming
  • Work independently and with a team of Extension state and field specialists to support, plan, develop, implement, and evaluate relevant and impactful educational programs that enhance the profitability and sustainability of agricultural businesses in Hillsborough County and statewide. Some of the desired programming for this position includes integrated pest management and pesticide safety education.
  • Provide formal and informal education to the agricultural community by organizing and implementing educational events including workshops, seminars, field tours and grower meetings.
  • Provide one-on-one instruction and technical assistance to farms and agricultural businesses of all sizes throughout the county to improve quality, sustainability and profitability of products and services.
  • Disseminate current research-based information to clients through development of fact sheets, articles, newsletters, and other print and web-based resources.
  • 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 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) policies and procedures.
  • Demonstrate effective listening, verbal and written communication. Make effective and innovative use of print and video media and online learning platforms in delivering educational programs and in disseminating information to the public.
Duty/Responsibility
Engagement, Outreach and Communication
  • Build and maintain relationships with Extension colleagues, faculty, students and staff of University of New Hampshire College of Life Sciences and Agriculture and N.H. Agricultural Experiment Station.
  • Cooperate with Extension’s communications team to promote educational programs and maintain public awareness of Extension in Hillsborough County and throughout the state.
  • Build productive relationships with elected and appointed officials.
  • Maintain regular communication with the program team leader and supervisor/Area of Expertise (AoE) chairperson (an Extension colleague who leads the field specialist’s work team).
  • Build productive working relationships with Extension colleagues in N.H. and other states.
  • Connect agricultural businesses with Extension staff and programs as appropriate when client needs fall outside the field specialist’s area of expertise.
  • Connect home gardeners and other community members with the services of the UNH Extension Home, Yard and Garden Education Center, including the Master Gardener program and Education Center Infoline.
  • Develop partnerships and serve on committees and boards with local and state agricultural agencies and organizations such as Hillsborough County Conservation District; Farm Bureau; New England Vegetable and Berry Growers Association; and N.H. Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food.
Duty/Responsibility
Professional Development
  • Develop a professional development plan in cooperation with supervisor/production agriculture AoE chairperson and the food and agriculture program team leader.
  • Maintain and enhance competency in agricultural topics and professional skills (e.g., instructional design, leadership, group facilitation, effective adult education).
Duty/Responsibility
Other Duties
  • Welcome and mentor new staff and engage in their success. Provide input into the evaluation of coworkers.
  • When determined appropriate with supervisor and Extension administration, serve as the county office administrator (COA) of the Hillsborough County Extension office. In this role, the COA develops and maintains relationships with county administrators, department heads, commissioners and delegation members. The COA is responsible for facility and equipment management, office budget management, and supervision of administrative assistants, interns and other part-time or temporary employees. COA job responsibilities usually account for 20% of the employee’s time. If the field specialist is appointed COA, their organizational support time is reduced during their COA service.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Documents Needed to Apply

Required Documents
  1. Resume/Vita
  2. Cover Letter
Optional Documents