Extension Assistant or Extension Associate

TITLE: Extension Assistant or Extension Associate

DEPARTMENT: School of Agriculture and Natural Resources

REPORTS TO: Associate Research Director

CLASSIFICATION: Staff-12 months

EFFECTIVE DATE: TBD

STANDARD WORK HOURS: 37.5 hours per week

EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Full-Time 

EMPLOYMENT CLASSIFICATION: Exempt or Non-Exempt

JOB SUMMARY:

The Extension Assistant OR Extension Associate will serve as a lead support person to assist the PI, staff, and students to perform Land-Grant related work in Agriculture, Aquaculture, beginning farmer development, production, marketing, and economics at the College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources (CAHN).

This employee will support the supervisor in beginning farmer education efforts, Evans-Allen research efforts, and other funded research and extension efforts.

When assisting with Beginning Farmer development, the employee is expected to have the knowledge in horticulture production and/or hydroponics production and or aquaponics production. The employee will have the ability to teach others on topics such as how to start seeds, grow vegetables, and manage pests and diseases. The employee will help the supervisor in collecting and recording data, scheduling meetings, organizing teaching events, assisting in supervising other participants, conducting surveys, and other related duties of beginning farmer training. The employee may be asked to assist with planning and managing agricultural demonstrations at KSU and other associated demonstrations in Kentucky.

When assisting with other Land-Grant activities, the employee will help the supervisor in performing surveys, entering data, assisting with other data collection efforts such as scheduling meetings, assisting with supervising student workers and graduate students, etc.

If the employee holds the position of Extension Associate, he/she will contribute towards writing various papers/fact sheets or other extension media. The Extension Associate could be a co/lead author academic papers and fact sheets.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

1. Assist the PI and other supporting staff in designing farming activities, mentor, supervise and lead undergraduate and graduate students involved in research.
2. Assist the PI and implement Extension and Evans Allen projects, and externally funded projects.
3. The candidate will help manage farm spaces in a professional manner.
4. Other duties include beginning farmer demonstrations such as in managing ground farms, managing high tunnels and greenhouses, mentoring participants, assisting with harvest, etc.
5. To record and maintain data in proper spreadsheet layout.
6. Help develop proposals for external funding.
7. Track applications and correspondence of potential graduate students and student progress.
8. Other related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Practical experience in horticulture, or aquaponics, or hydroponics or aeroponics.
• Experience vegetable production.
• Applicant should have the ability to work independently and as part of a team with excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Analytical ability to include computer skills, statistics and analysis of databases.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills along with problem-solving expertise
• Must be able to interview people in a survey and obtain information from them.
• Ability to maintain concise and accurate records.
• Ability to work independently with minimum supervision, but cooperatively with others.
• Must be able to manage multiple projects/priorities.
• Good organizational skills
• Exhibit professional and personable demeanor.
• Ability to perform miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.
• Demonstrated expertise in agricultural and food systems, with the ability to work effectively across disciplines.
• Must be currently eligible to work in the U.S. (will require travel and some fieldwork (interviews, site visits, meetings, conferences, and/or in-person workshops) within the continental US.
• Demonstrated strong community-engagement skills with ability to interview people and survey them for data collection.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaborate effectively as part of an interdisciplinary team.
• Prior practical or research experience in horticulture topics OR farming experience related to horticultural crops including vegetable/small fruit production.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

• This position does have limited supervisory responsibility.

OTHER DUTIES:

• As assigned by supervisor.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Assistant: Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture or a closely related field. Degree in Aquaculture or Poultry Science or Agribusiness or Agricultural Economics is also acceptable provided the candidate can show significant knowledge and experience in vegetable production/horticulture too.

Associate: Minimum of Master’s degree in Horticulture or a closely related field. Master’s Degree in Aquaculture or Poultry Science or Agribusiness or Agricultural Economics is also acceptable provided the candidate can show significant knowledge and experience in vegetable production/horticulture too.

Level of position offered will be determined based on selected candidate’s qualifications

Licensing and Certifications: NA

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Occasionally requires heavy lifting, pushing, or pulling of objects over 50 pounds.
• Work environment involves some exposure to inclement weather, hot or cold conditions, hazards or physical risks, which require some basic safety precautions.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States. At this time, Kentucky State University is unable to sponsor or take over the sponsorship of an employment visa

Internal Candidates are Encouraged to Apply

KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY is an Equal Opportunity Employer

The functions, qualifications, knowledge/skills, and physical requirements listed in this job description represent the essential duties of the job, which the incumbent must be able to perform either with or without reasonable accommodation. The Job Functions listed do not necessarily include all activities that the individual may perform.