Extension Specialist - Home and Community Food Production, Director of the Home and Garden Information Center

Job Description Summary

Organization's Summary Statement:

University of Maryland Extension (UME) invites applications for a 12-month tenure-track
position at the Agent or Senior Agent level to conduct applied research, provide educational
programming, and offer home and community food production and integrated pest management
(IPM) expertise throughout Maryland. Specifically, the Extension Specialist will provide
leadership in delivering educational programming to UME field faculty, Master Gardeners,
community and school gardens, public agencies, nonprofits, and businesses. The Extension
Specialist will be expected to respond to a broad set of needs and issues, such as soil health and
fertility, plant and pest diagnostics and organic pest management, water quality and
conservation, intensive production techniques, climate resilient crops and practices, and
increasing food gardening access and production. The incumbent will also serve as Director of
the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), a statewide unit that delivers digital
horticulture and IPM resources and services. The HGIC Director role will involve approximately
25% of the Specialist’s time commitment and oversee the support staff of the Center.

The Extension Specialist will facilitate partnerships with campus and field faculty, local and state
agencies, non-profits, elected officials, communities, and residents to implement best practices
related to home and community food production and IPM. The incumbent will serve as the UME
leader for home and community food gardening programming and training efforts, leader of
HGIC program, and will be involved in planning and conducting educational events for the
public, UME faculty, Master Gardeners, and partners. The position will be based at the Central
Maryland Research and Education Center in Clarksville, MD, and the applicant will have access
to the Maryland Agricultural Experiment Station's research and education facilities throughout
the state.

The Extension Specialist will provide leadership for relevant horticulture and IPM programming
within the Environment and Natural Resources Program (ENR), one of four UME programs. In carrying out their duties, the individual reports to the Assistant Director and Program Leader,
Environment and Natural Resources Program.

The Extension Specialist will also be responsible for working collaboratively to increase the
visibility and reach of UME programs through educational programming designed to meet the
needs of diverse audiences. Innovative strategies and cutting-edge teaching and research methods
will be used to design, develop, deliver, and evaluate programs for a robust Extension education
program that engages participants in a collaborative learning environment and encourages
adoption of research-based information in decision-making.

The Extension Specialist represents UME and the University of Maryland, College Park (UMD).
The position ensures that educational programming aligns with UME’s current strategic plan and
plan of work, particularly as it relates to the United States Department of Agriculture. The
faculty member will be on track for tenure and promotion to a higher rank in accordance with
UMD policy and UME tenure guidelines within the timeframe defined.

Responsibilities:

- State home and community food gardening expert. Develop and teach new research-based food gardening and IPM knowledge and practices. Create and communicate content on web pages and social media.
- Conduct surveys to assess the training and information needs of internal and external clientele in the area of urban/community food production.
- Lead for two statewide Master Gardener food gardening programs: Grow It Eat It and Seed to Supper. Support UME’s Ask Extension team.
- Provide leadership for the HGIC program including program coordination and fiscal and
operations oversight.
- Train and support field faculty, Master Gardeners, non-profits, and other partners on community and school/youth gardening and teach topics such as climate change adaptation, soil health, IPM, seed saving, and growing climate-adapted food plants popular in immigrant communities.
- Educate using web pages, webinars, online modules, videos, applied research, demonstrations, social media, and classes, with an emphasis on experiential learning.
- Discover and share new knowledge. Work with partners to identify and address emerging issues and challenges.
- Develop creative and scholarly activities that are validated by peers and communicated, such as educational materials published and adopted by others, Extension publications, applied research results, conference posters, and professional presentations.
- Secure extra-mural funding to develop an applied research program. Develop grant-funded projects to enhance and expand educational programs.
- Develop internal and external partnerships and collaborations with campus and field faculty, non-profits, businesses, state and local government, and community and school gardens, with a focus on cross-programming.
- Collect and report data to evaluate programs and show impacts.
- Supervision may include HGIC program administration and program staff, as appropriate, as determined by the ENR PL in accordance with UME mission requirements.


Physical Demands:

- The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
- This position frequently presents information through vocal and written communication to individuals of various ages, socio-economic, and educational backgrounds.
- A routine part of this position's responsibilities would be to transport materials to and from field research plots and teaching/event locations, including loading and unloading the vehicle. The employee will frequently lift and/or move items weighing up to 20 pounds. Set up and teardown of project displays, and tables and chairs will be necessary at many teaching sites.
- This position requires the employee to work outdoors conducting field research, delivering programs, and teaching at events. This may occur during very hot and/or inclement weather.
- Visual acuity is required for preparing and analyzing written or computer data and presentations
Personal transportation and valid driver’s license required. Must be willing to travel throughout the state of Maryland. Out-of-state travel may also be required.
- Flexible work schedule required for delivering evening and weekend educational programs and activities as determined by clientele availability and need.

Requirements:

- Master’s degree in plant sciences, crop sciences, horticulture, environmental sciences, or related field of study
- Demonstrated leadership and management abilities along with evidence of the ability to work effectively as a team member
- Demonstrated experience conducting surveys and outreach education.
- Experience managing programs and projects
- Experience setting up and conducting applied research projects.
- Knowledge and use of computers and electronic technology for educational programming and project management.
- Evidence of excellent written and verbal communication and teaching skills.."


Preferences:

- Ph.D. in plant sciences, crop sciences, horticulture, environmental sciences, or related field of study.
- Evidence of experience working with broad audiences and all socioeconomic levels.
- Demonstrated ability to diagnose vegetable and fruit plant and pest problems and provide recommendations for prevention and management.
- Evidence of peer-reviewed journal articles, popular educational materials, and Extension publications.
- Demonstrated experience in grant writing and obtaining extramural funding.
- Evidence of skills to effectively use electronic and social media to communicate information to broad audiences.
- Experience working with graduate and/or undergraduate students and collaborating with non-profits.


Licenses/ Certifications: N/A

Additional Job Details

Financial Disclosure Required

Yes

Department

AGNR-UME-Associate Director

Worker Sub-Type

Faculty Regular

Salary Range

$64,763.00 - $142,517.00 ; Please note, the compensation for this position will commensurate with experience and professorial rank.

Background Checks

Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information reported by the background check will not automatically disqualify anyone from employment. Before any adverse decision, the finalist will have an opportunity to provide information to the University regarding disclosable background check information. The University reserves the right to rescind the offer of employment or otherwise decline or terminate employment if the information reported by the background check is deemed incompatible with the position, regardless of when the background check is completed.

Employment Eligibility

The successful candidate must complete employment eligibility verification (on Form I-9) by presenting documents that establish identity and work authorization within the timeframe required by federal immigration law, and where applicable, to demonstrate renewed employment authorization.  Failure to complete employment eligibility verification or reverification within the timeframe set forth by law may result in suspension or termination of employment.

EEO Statement

The University of Maryland, College Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment. Please read the University’s Equal Employment Opportunity Statement of Policy.

Title IX Non-Discrimination Notice

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