Job Vacancy #17-21

Area Extension Agent– Agronomy and Cropping Systems
Southeast Area, Prowers County, Lamar, CO

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.

The Southeast Area is composed of seven counties in southeastern Colorado (Baca, Bent, Cheyenne, Crowley, Kiowa, Otero, and Prowers). These counties have a combined population of over 49,000, with Lamar, the county seat of Prowers County, having a population of 12,122. These seven Counties have a combined land mass of 6.6 million acres, 2.76 million acres used for crop production. Primary crops include dry land wheat, sorghum, and sunflowers, irrigated corn and alfalfa hay. Much of the land is used for range, livestock grazing; however cropping-livestock interactions are very popular and important to the economy. There is an increasing interest in oilseed crops. Southeast Colorado is the home of one of the larger wind energy projects in the country. For more information about Southeast Area Extension, go to http://sea.extension.colostate.edu/. To learn more about Colorado State University Extension, go to https://extension.colostate.edu/.

APPLICATION PROCESS AND DEADLINE: For full consideration, all materials must be RECEIVED no later than 11:59 PM Mountain Time on Thursday, June 24, 2021. Please submit the following to https://jobs.colostate.edu to apply:

• Resume
• Cover letter
• Transcript of college(s) course work showing degrees conferred. Please remove all references to birth date or social security number.
• Special Required Documentation – Statement (no more than 5 pages) of how you meet all applicable “Required” and “Preferred” Job Qualifications. Please respond to each bullet point separately.

All applicants will be contacted approximately 15 working days after the deadline regarding their status. Next steps and interview dates will be shared to those moving forward. Four professional references will be requested of applicants that advance in the interview process.

For questions regarding the application process, contact the Office of Equal Opportunity at (970) 491-5836 or email oeo@colostate.edu. For questions regarding the job vacancy, responsibilities, and salary, please contact Abby Weber at (719) 254-7608 or SA.Weber@colostate.edu.

PURPOSE OF POSITION

The Area Extension Agent in Agronomy and Cropping Systems will deliver research based and objective, informal education to solve problems, develop leadership, and assist producers in South Eastern Colorado in agricultural profitability and sustainability. The position primarily addresses farmers and ranchers in the seven counties, but will not exclude work in other counties, with a major emphasis on wheat, sorghum, and oil seeds. This employee will work cooperatively with other Extension Agents and Specialists, University Faculty and researchers (including the Plainsman Research Center in Walsh and Baca County and the Arkansas Valley Research Center in Rocky Ford and Otero County), and the agribusiness industry and community partners to develop and deliver quality plant science and agronomic educational programming. This position will be housed in Prowers County, Lamar, Colorado.

The individual in this position works as a member of a team of professionals, is a local representative of Colorado State University, and works under the supervision and guidance of the Southeast Regional Extension Director. The individual will be expected to participate on one or more Extension work teams in their area of expertise. There is also potential for an affiliate appointment (Administrative Professional position) in the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences and/or Department of Bio agricultural Sciences and Pest Management, College of Agricultural Sciences upon the review and approval of the department’s faculty.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

Program Planning, Development, Delivery, Evaluation and Reporting: 60%

• Develop, market, deliver, and evaluate non-credit educational programs for crop producers and agribusiness to enhance producer’s profitability and sustainability. On-going and developing educational needs include but, are not limited to, no-till or reduced tillage systems, multiple crops rotational systems, limited irrigation cropping systems, integrated pest management, pest resistance management, wise use of crop inputs, and soil, water, and natural resource conservation.
• Develop and conduct applied research/demonstration trials and programs.
• Conduct pesticide applicator trainings for license renewal in the Southeast Area.
• Actively participate in one or more Extension work teams to provide cropping systems expertise for program and information development, delivery and evaluation efforts statewide.
• Provide program and information delivery support to colleagues in area(s) of specified expertise as appropriate.

Note: % of job assigned to this duty may be changed as the program develops.

Initiate and Develop Relationships and Partnerships: 25%

• Work with advisory committees, community leaders, area agencies and non-profits to continually assess conditions and develop effective plans of work providing measurable program outcomes.
• Actively participate on Extension work teams to help focus and develop regional and statewide program efforts.
• Effectively communicate and participate in research and programming with personnel of Colorado State University, other colleges, agencies and institutions to enhance overall programming.
• Promote engagement with diverse audiences and assure compliance with civil rights and affirmative action policies including reaching out to underserved and underrepresented audiences.

Note: % of job assigned to this duty may be changed as the program develops.

Fiscal Management: 15%

• Seek out and manage external funding sources to support programming efforts, practice cost recovery.
• Manage program and operating funds in compliance with University fiscal policies and reporting requirements.
• Build and innovate an environment of teamwork and collaboration within the office, in the Southeast Area as well as with external partners.
• Provide leadership and assistance with other activities as assigned.

Note: % of job assigned to this duty may be changed as the program develops.

SALARY: The salary range for this position is $45,000 – $72,000. Starting salary will be commensurate with education and experience.

REQUIRED JOB QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Completed master’s degree.

• Course work includes an emphasis in crop production systems and some crop protection course work.
• Experience working with irrigated and/or dryland crop management systems.
• Demonstrated experience working with people as individuals and in groups; ability to forge equitable and successful partnerships with other professionals and organizations.
• 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.

PREFERRED JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience with on-farm research or demonstration projects.
• Experience with identification and management of insect pests & beneficial insects, field crop diseases, weeds of cropped and uncropped areas, and plant nutrient deficiencies and abiotic stress systems of field crops.
• Experience or coursework in agricultural business management as related to crop production systems and crop marketing.
• Experience in identifying audience needs, developing programs and evaluating impacts of programs.
• Successful experience in developing financial support for educational programs including grant writing, fund raising, contracting, or cost recovery efforts.
• Professional experience with, or knowledge of, Extension and the land-grant university system.
• Ability to speak Spanish.

BENEFITS: Colorado State University is committed to providing employees with a strong and competitive benefits package that supports you, your health, and your family. Visit CSU’s Human Resources website for detailed benefit plan information for permanent full-time and part-time faculty and administrative professional employees in the following University benefit areas. https://hr.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/25/2021/01/benefits-summary-afap.pdf.

Colorado State University is committed to providing an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based on race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or pregnancy and will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. Colorado State University is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce and complies with all Federal and Colorado State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. The Office of Equal Opportunity is located in 101 Student Services.

The Acting Title IX Coordinator is the Vice President for Equity, Equal Opportunity and Title IX, 123 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO. 80523-0160, (970) 491-1715, titleix@colostate.edu.

The Section 504 and ADA Coordinator is the Vice President for Equity, Equal Opportunity, and Title IX, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836.

BACKGROUND CHECK: Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

Application process and additional information may be obtained at http://jobs.colostate.edu/postings/87751