Extension Specialist II, Ornamental Horticulture

Please note that priority review will be given to candidates who apply on or before December 12, 2025. The position will remain open until filled. 

Context of Job:
Cooperative Extension is an informal, educational, nationwide network that combines the expertise and resources of federal, state and local governments to improve people's lives. For over a century, University of Delaware Cooperative Extension has made a difference in the First State by providing quality educational programming to individuals and communities, based on university research and aimed at meeting the expressed needs of our constituents. The outreach arm of USDA and the American land-grant university system, Cooperative Extension takes the University to the people with programming that includes food safety; nutrition, diet and health; water quality; 4-H youth development; sustainable agriculture; natural resources and environmental management; agricultural competitiveness and profitability; home gardening; family development and resource management; leadership and volunteer development; and personal safety-on the road, in the home, on the farm and much more.

Under the general direction of the New Castle County Extension Director and the Agriculture Program Leader, the Extension Specialist II has statewide responsibilities, delivering non-formal educational programming to agriculture producers, industry and the general public and is part of a team of professionals delivering programming to the citizens of Delaware. Additional program support is provided by personnel on the Ag program team.

Cooperative Extension Responsibilities (65%):
• Plan, coordinate (in concert with the DNLA), promote, present and evaluate educational conferences and multiple workshops open to all green industry professionals. Examples include the Horticulture Industry Expo, Summer Turf and Nursery Expo, and the Ornamental and Turf Workshop.
• Work with Delaware Nursery and Landscape Association (DNLA) Board of Directors, Ornamental Horticulture industry, and Horticulture Extension program team to plan, publish, promote, and co-lead Cooperative Extension professional courses and events to expand industry reach and ensure educational and recertification requirements are addressed.
• Partner with Delaware Department of Agriculture (DDA) Plant Industries to educate and inform Delaware’s green industry.
• Coordinate, edit, and contribute content to weekly Ornamentals Hotline newsletter (26 issues/year).
• Coordinate content of Certified Nursery Professional Manual – update with team as needed.
• Coordinate with the Faculty advisory to University of Delaware Botanic Gardens (UDBG), and the Extension Horticulture, and other educational teams in the state to advise and educate the general public.
• Serve as active member of Extension Horticulture program team. This includes but is not limited to Master Gardener and Master Naturalist volunteer core and advanced training, professional short course instruction, and teaching/presentations in various conferences and expos and workshops.
• Support the “Delaware Livable Lawns” program, a statewide multi-agency (Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), Delaware Department of Transportation (DELDOT), and University of Delaware) initiative/campaign through the implementation of the most up-to-date nutrient management BMP’s (best management practices) for turfgrass systems and proper nutrient management.
• Periodically review yearly audits of Audit certified commercial applicators and homeowner participants to ensure program compliance.
• Appointed to and serve on internal/external committees as needed. This has included committees like the Delaware Native Species Commission, Governor’s Water Supply Coordinating Council, and Urban Community Forestry Board.

Research Responsibilities (35%):
• Successfully fund, extramurally, an impactful applied research program on nursery and landscape issues important to the Delaware green industry.
• Publish in refereed journals such as HortScience, HortTech, and Journal of Extension; publish and update research reports, factsheets, grower guides, and websites to reach and train clientele in the latest ornamental horticulture best management practices.
• Serve on graduate student committees, as requested.

Qualifications:
• Master’s degree in horticulture, plant sciences, environmental sciences, or a closely related field and 6 years of experience in Extension/outreach and applied research or Ph.D. and 2 years of experience.
• Bachelor’s degree with 10+ years of high-level Extension and/or public education outreach programming will be considered.
• Excellent communication skills, written and verbal, with the ability to engage with a wide range of stakeholders.
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