05-23 Area Extension Agent, Agronomy/Weed Science, Sedgwick County, Golden Plains Area Job at Colorado State University

Colorado State University Julesburg, CO

Position Location
Julesburg, CO

Work Location
Position qualifies for hybrid/in-office work

Research Professional Position
No

Posting Number
202202030AP

Position Type
Admin Professional/ Research Professional

Classification Title
Project/Prgm Mngmt I

Number of Vacancies
1

Work Hours/Week
40

Proposed Annual Salary Range
The salary range for this position is $56,000 - $90,000. Starting salary will be commensurate with education and experience.

Employee Benefits
Colorado State University (CSU) 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/hr-community-and-supervisors/benefits/benefits-eligibility/ & https://hr.colostate.edu/prospective-employees/our-perks/.

Desired Start Date
03/06/2023

Position End Date (if temporary)

To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on
01/25/2023

Description of Work Unit
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. https://inclusiveexcellence.colostate.edu/resources/principles-of-community/

Sedgwick County is located on the eastern plains of Colorado and has an agriculturally based economy with dryland and irrigated crop enterprises and beef and swine livestock enterprises. Julesburg is the county seat for Sedgwick County and the county covers 549 square miles in the northeastern corner of Colorado. It was established in 1889 and named for Fort Sedgwick. Straddling the South Platte River, the county is bordered by Nebraska’s Deuel and Perkins Counties to the north and east, and by Colorado’s Phillips and Logan Counties to the south and west.

The Golden Plains Area is a partnership between Kit Carson, Phillips, Sedgwick, Washington and Yuma counties. Extension agents and program associates from the five offices across the Area deliver diverse programming and work cooperatively with some of Colorado’s most progressive agricultural producers and related agencies. The Area’s predominate feature is its High Plains location above the Ogallala Aquifer characterized by a mix of rangeland, dryland crop production and deep well, center pivot irrigated crop production. Agriculture serves as the economic base for the area. Livestock production is a major economic influence with numerous cow/calf and large confined animal feeding operations (beef and pork) located here. The natural resources that support the agricultural industry also support plentiful outdoor wildlife and recreational activities.

For more information regarding the Golden Plains Area Extension, go to
http://goldenplains.extension.colostate.edu/. For more information regarding Extension at Colorado State University, go to http://extension.colostate.edu/.

Position Summary
The individual in this position works as a member of a team of County and Colorado State University Extension professionals. This individual is an employee of Colorado State University and works under the supervision of the Golden Plains Area Extension Director. Working with other agriculture and crop production agents, the individual will provide leadership, guidance, direction and assistance in the development and implementation of the overall Agronomy/Weed Science program in Sedgwick County and the Golden Plains Area. The primary office location is in Julesburg, CO. This position is eligible for hybrid work. The individual in this position is expected to maintain a balance establishing a presence in the primary office and working in the field to effectively carry out the duties of the position.

Required Job Qualifications
  • Completed master’s degree.
  • Degree (or One degree) must have been conferred in plant science, agronomy, crop and soil science, bio-ag science, weed science or a closely related field.
  • Ability to communicate through teaching, public speaking/presentation and writing as demonstrated through application materials and experience.
  • Demonstrated experience working with people as individuals and in groups; ability to forge equitable and successful partnerships with other professionals and organizations.
  • Demonstrated use of technology in managing and/or delivering educational programs.
  • Evidence of drive and initiative. Must be a self-starter.
  • Understanding of different ethnic and socioeconomic audiences, a commitment to include diverse voices in program prioritization and planning, and a commitment to developing and delivering both inclusive and targeted programming.
  • Personal or professional commitment to diversity as demonstrated by persistent effort, active planning, allocation of resources and/or accountability for diversity outcomes.
  • 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.
  • Understanding of crop systems relevant to this region.
  • Experience or coursework in agricultural business management as related to field crop production and 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.
  • Experience and/or demonstrated ability in working with 4-H youth and clubs.
  • Appreciation for rural lifestyle.
  • Knowledge and experience with various methods of conflict resolution and facilitation.
  • Knowledge of and familiarity with Extension and the land-grant university system.
  • Ability to speak Spanish.

Diversity Statement
Personal or professional commitment to diversity and inclusion as demonstrated by persistent effort, active planning, allocation of resources and/or accountability for diversity and inclusion outcomes.

Essential Duties

Job Duty Category
Program Planning, Development, Delivery, Evaluation and Reporting

Duty/Responsibility
  • 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, herbicide resistance management, wise use of crop inputs, and soil, water, and natural resource conservation.
  • Develop and conduct applied research/demonstration trials and programs in response to local needs in weed management and agronomy.
  • Experience in identification and management of weeds relevant to the area.
  • Conduct pesticide applicator trainings for license renewal in Sedgwick County as well as assisting with trainings in other counties within the Golden Plains 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.
  • Effectively communicate and coordinate resources, research and programming with personnel/staff of Colorado State University and other organizations.
  • Provide support and new opportunities for 4-H youth, leaders, and parents through new and innovative opportunities, with the goal of expanding the involvement, reach, and effectiveness of the 4-H program.


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

Percentage Of Time
50%

Job Duty Category
Initiate and Develop Relationships and Partnerships

Duty/Responsibility
  • 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.
  • Effectively communicate and participate in research and programming with personnel of Colorado State University, other colleges, agencies and institutions to enhance overall programming.
  • Develop relationships with the local plant science industry including Golden Plains Areas Advisory Board, producers, agencies and organizations to continually assess cropping systems and agronomic crop pest management opportunities and needs.
  • Develop and maintain a close working relationship with the Board of County Commissioners, and county employees.
  • 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.

Percentage Of Time
30%

Job Duty Category
Volunteer Recruitment, Development and Management

Duty/Responsibility
  • Develop strong working relationships with local producers and related agencies to allow access to research and demonstration sites to conduct on-farm research trials.
  • Develop and maintain relationships with local producers and agribusiness professionals to serve on advisory committees.
  • Maintain effective communication with Colorado State University personnel, community leaders, and other agencies/organizations to enhance strong program development, delivery and evaluation.


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

Percentage Of Time
10%

Job Duty Category
Administration and Supervision

Duty/Responsibility
  • Manage a significant budget ($5,000 appropriated and $20,000 non-appropriated) including support for cost recovery, revenue generation and grants.
  • Build and innovate an environment of teamwork and collaboration within the office, in the county and with external partners.
  • Working with the Golden Plains Area Director, coordinate staff positions in the Sedgwick County Extension Office to optimize overall program effectiveness and manage appropriated budgets with county commissioner’s office.


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

Percentage Of Time
10%

Application Details

Special Instructions to Applicants
For full consideration, all materials must be RECEIVED no later than 11:59 PM Mountain Time on Wednesday, January 25, 2023. Please submit the following to apply:
  • Resume
  • Cover letter
  • Transcript(s) 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 Scott Stinnett at 719-346-5571 or scott.stinnett@colostate.edu.

Conditions of Employment
Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires), Valid Driver’s License, Travel

Search Contact
Scott Stinnett at 719-346-5571 or scott.stinnett@colostate.edu.

EEO Statement
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/expression, or pregnancy in its employment, programs, services and activities, and admissions, and, in certain circumstances, marriage to a co-worker. The University 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 and equal access institution and 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 Title IX Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Title IX Programs and Gender Equity, 123 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-1715, titleix@colostate.edu.

The Section 504 and ADA Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836, oeo@colostate.edu.

The Coordinator for any other forms of misconduct prohibited by the University’s Policy on Discrimination and Harassment is the Vice President for Equity, Equal Opportunity and Title IX, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, Co. 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836, oeo@colostate.edu.

Any person may report sex discrimination under Title IX to the Office of Civil Rights, Department of Education.

Background Check Policy Statement
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 for the finalist before a final offer. 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.



Please Note :
caminobluff.com is the go-to platform for job seekers looking for the best job postings from around the web. With a focus on quality, the platform guarantees that all job postings are from reliable sources and are up-to-date. It also offers a variety of tools to help users find the perfect job for them, such as searching by location and filtering by industry. Furthermore, caminobluff.com provides helpful resources like resume tips and career advice to give job seekers an edge in their search. With its commitment to quality and user-friendliness, Site.com is the ideal place to find your next job.