Extension Agent, Agriculture and Natural Resources - Monongalia County

The WVU Extension Service is seeking a dynamic individual who will implement a comprehensive Extension program in agriculture and natural resources (ANR) with a focus on consumer horticulture, local foods, and agribusiness/agritourism related community development.

Major Responsibility of the County Extension Agent
This position's major responsibility is the interpretation and delivery of relevant educational information to the citizens of the county, with specific emphasis on an effort to ensure the application of this knowledge.

The Agent is responsible to the ANR Program Director for all ANR programmatic and administrative matters. The agent will seek input for the Families and Community Development (FCD) Program Director when appropriate for matters related to community development. In addition, the Agent works cooperatively with the appropriate County Program Coordinator (CPC) to integrate his/her program efforts into the total County Extension program. The amount of time which an Agent spends in specific program areas and/or in program components is determined in concert with the Unit Director and other County Faculty.

Functions and Tasks of the Agent

1. Conducts educational programs in his/her designated program area to help people more effectively interpret and use science-based findings.

• Assumes responsibility for developing and executing a Plan of Work. The Plan of work will include a mix of ANR programming with an expectation to include FCD programming focused on the agribusiness and agritourism development opportunities in the county and the Mon Valley region.
• Involves the appropriate program advisory committees to analyze the county situation, identify priority problems and develop and implement programs.
• Uses the resources of the West Virginia University and the community to effectively implement county programs.
• Identifies, recruits, and develops volunteer leadership (i.e., master gardeners, 4-H volunteers, and CEOS, among others) to assist with delivering the program of work in the county.
• Develops and uses appropriate systems for reporting program accomplishments.
• Functions always as a professional educator.
• Actively participate with Extension work teams to help focus and develop regional and statewide programs in designated program areas.

Teaching Follows a sound process in developing educational programs in his/her designated area of responsibility. Extension faculty are practitioners who develop educational programs to meet the needs of non-credit learners. Program development is a process used to assess needs, mobilize resources, and create and organize educational initiatives to address the needs of citizens.

• Develop, market, deliver, facilitate and evaluate non-credit educational programming in response to locally identified priority needs.
• Establishes clear objectives and uses appropriate subject matter content and learning experiences to reach these objectives.
• Designs and implements a variety of program delivery methods to reach target clientele.
• Takes necessary action to ensure that enough groundwork is laid for programs to succeed.
• Evaluates results, measures impact, and accounts to appropriate stakeholders for program accomplishments.
• Uses the results of program evaluation to initiate changes in the implementation of the program.

Service Develops an understanding of the county, the needs of its citizens and Extension's role in meeting those needs.

• Understands the county situation in terms of social and economic factors.
• Understands the role of County Extension Service in effecting changes in the county situation.
• Continuously examines his/her role as a change agent.
• Assesses the degree to which programs meet the needs of clients, induce positive change, improve performance, or measurably impact priority problems.

Research Uses knowledge of agriculture to inform and guide teaching and service and move the faculty and learner to decision making and action.

• Participates in professional development activities that increase expertise in the discipline.
• Demonstrates the ability to apply current knowledge to address specific priority problems.
• Assesses the degree to which new knowledge moves the faculty and learner to decision making and action.

Understands the philosophy of Extension and utilizes effective methodology in program delivery and evaluation.

• Understands and conveys the philosophy, objectives and policies of WVU Extension Service.
• Assists in determining and obtaining resources needed to implement the Plan of Work.
• Plans and provides the training needed to equip volunteer leaders to carry out the program.
• Develops and maintains two-way communications with volunteer leaders.
• Establishes and maintains rapport with personnel of the mass media and arranges for appropriate releases in the program area.
• Understands and implements the provisions of EEO, ADA, WVU's diversity plan, and other Affirmative Action programs within Extension.
  

Qualifications :

• Completed master’s degree in an agricultural-related field of study is required. Candidates with a master’s degree in progress may be considered for interviews, but the degree must be completed by hire date.
• Training and experience in a plant science/horticulture field of study is highly preferred.
• Training and experience in community development (such as agribusiness, etc) is desired.
• Demonstrated leadership and management skill through collaborations and partnerships with agencies and organizations is necessary. Extension or similar work experience is desirable.
• Personal or professional commitment to diversity as demonstrated by persistent effort, active planning, allocation of resources and/or accountability for diversity outcomes.
• Documented experience in volunteer management, supervision, resource development, and team leadership is desirable.
• Proficiency in oral and written communication and knowledge and use of computer technology for educational programming and management are required.
• Experience working with advisory committees and/or focus groups.
• Experience working with the media and web-based information delivery methods.

Education & Experience Preferred:

• Successful experience in developing financial support for educational programs including grant writing, fund raising, contracting or cost recovery efforts.
• Experience in promoting, marketing or creating public awareness of program/services among key community decision-makers.

Special Requirements:

• Ability to pass a criminal background check.
• Ability to meet travel demands of position (overnight stays), such as 4-H youth events, conferences, professional development sessions/trainings.
• Willingness to work flexible hours, including some nights and weekends.
• Ability to lift and carry materials needed to conduct trainings and perform duties of the position.
• Must be able to pass the Children on Campus and Title IX required trainings.

Position Assignment:

• This is a 12-month, full-time, Extension faculty position.
• The successful candidate will be evaluated for providing a significant contribution in teaching and service and will be expected to undertake a continuing program of studies, investigations, and/or scholarly works. Accomplishments will be evaluated at least annually and will be judged in the context of these roles.
• The position will provide agriculture and natural resources, community development programming in Monongalia County. The agent will also be a subject matter resource person for regional and statewide programming as needed.
• The position will provide community development programming as it applies to the agribusiness and agritourism in Monongalia county and Mon Valley region.
• Appointment is subject to the approval of the Monongalia County Extension Service Committee.

Application Process:
If you meet the stated requirements and would like to be considered for the position, ALL of the following information must be submitted using https://jobs.wvu.edu :

• A cover letter indicating the position that you are applying for and outlining experience and qualifications.
• Resume or curriculum vitae including date(s) of employment, supervisor(s) names, and contact information.
• A list of three references (including address, e-mail, and phone) who can reflect on your professional strengths.
• Transcripts conferring your Master’s degree. Required degree must be conferred by start of position.

Special Notice: Upon completion of the application, screening, and interview process, a candidate will be presented to the Monongalia County Extension Service Committee for their consideration. Final placement of the agent in the County is subject to the approval of the Monongalia County Extension Service Committee.

At West Virginia University, we leverage our talents and resources to create a better future for our state and the world. As West Virginia's land-grant university, WVU has three campuses that touch each corner of the state. The WVU System includes 518 buildings on 15,880 acres, Extension Service offices in all 55 counties, ten experimental farms and four forests.

From the groundbreaking R1 research of our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs of WVU Potomac State in Keyser to the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley — the contributions of WVU employees directly impact the 1.8 million people of West Virginia every day, no matter their role or position.

Service, curiosity, respect, accountability, and appreciation are the core values that unite Mountaineers, inspiring one another to work tirelessly and support others as they seek to reach new heights. After all, when you're a Mountaineer, impossible is just another mountain to climb.

To learn more about West Virginia University, visit go.wvu.edu. View current career opportunities at careers.wvu.edu.

West Virginia University is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer and is the recipient of an NSF ADVANCE award for gender equity. The University values diversity among its faculty, staff, and students, and invites applications from all qualified applicants regardless of race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, nationality, genetics, disability, or Veteran status.