Extension Assistant or Extension Associate

TITLE: Extension Assistant or Extension Associate                                                     

DEPARTMENT:  School of Agriculture and Natural Resources                            

REPORTS TO:  Associate Research Director 

EFFECTIVE DATE: To be Determined

EMPLOYMENT STATUS:   Full-time                   

EMPLOYMENT CLASSIFICATION:  Extension Assistant Non-Exempt; Extension Associate Exempt                              

PRINCIPAL PURPOSE OF JOB:  

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).

SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITY: 

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 trainings. 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.

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:    None Required      

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES:    

• 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 interpersona