Associate Extension Agent, Agriculture & Natural Resources - Frederick County

Job Description

VCE is seeking an agent with expertise in home horticulture or the green industry to work with this fast-growing area. The position will serve as the agent coordinator for the Northern Shenandoah Valley Extension Master Gardener unit; providing leadership guidance and training for Extension Master Gardener volunteers in the five counties of Clarke Frederick Page Shenandoah Warren and the City of Winchester and provide educational programming on various horticultural topics. This position will be based in the VCE-Frederick County office of Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE). The agent will join a team of agriculture family and consumer science and 4-H youth development agents in the region. This position requires basic knowledge of horticulture including crop production integrated pest management and plant diagnostics plant physiology pathology weed science pest management and pesticide safety practices; pesticide-safety education programming; economics and marketing; and biotechnology developments. The position also requires basic knowledge of environmental issues herbaceous and woody ornamentals interior plants fruits and vegetables as well as soil water and nutrient management. Agents must determine program needs by monitoring trends and issues involving Extension leadership councils and other leadership committees; develop and deliver objective and research based educational programs and information to meet the needs of target audiences specify program goals and objectives and identify resources; inform clientele of program activities; use appropriate technologies to plan and deliver programs through workshops seminars conferences one-on-one visits on site demonstrations field trips and tours; maintain knowledge of current research information; use computer applications; develop and implement evaluation plans; recruit train and utilize volunteers enabling them to plan conduct evaluate and report educational activities; provide educational leadership and informational assistance to producers industry Extension Master Gardener volunteers and homeowners relative to the horticultural needs of the counties and report results to clientele general public and funders. The agent will maintain a high level of proficiency in the subject matter field by participating in professional activities and in-service training; will work closely with citizens and local state and federal officials to aid Virginia in preparing and responding to natural or other emergencies and disasters.

Required Qualifications

Must have a minimum of a bachelors degree (BA or BS) in a relevant discipline from an accredited college or university. A masters degree and promotion to Extension Agent are required no later than the sixth year of employment. A category 10 pesticide license must be obtained after hire. Demonstrated ability to recruit select train and manage volunteers; demonstrated ability to lead groups plan implement facilitate teach and evaluate educational information programs; knowledge and use of computer technology in educational programming and management and presentation skills; excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively with broad audiences; ability to work with minimal supervision in an unstructured setting. Extension agents demonstrate flexibility adaptability; a team-oriented mindset yet can work independently and a strong desire to help clients succeed. Extension Agents recognize the importance of all communities and broad reach in the development and delivery of Extension programs actively working to increase program participation of all people. Extension Agents are responsible for VCEs civil rights policies and equal opportunity compliance. The person in the position is expected to travel to provide in-person leadership and to build community partnerships with few exceptions for telework.

Virginia Tech is unable to sponsor applicants for work visas for this vacancy.

Preferred Qualifications

Masters degree.

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Restricted

Salary Information

$45000 - $65000

Hours per week

Varies

Review Date

September 25 2025

Additional Information

The successful candidate must have a drivers license check with an acceptable and safe driving record.

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its mottoUt Prosim(That I May Serve) Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world Virginia Tech is aninclusive communitydedicated to knowledge discovery and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36000 undergraduate graduate and professional students in eightundergraduate colleges aschool of medicine aveterinary medicinecollegeGraduate School andHonors College.The university has a significant presence across Virginia including Blacksburg the greater Washington D.C. area the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke sites in Newport News and Richmond and numerousExtension officesandresearch institutes.A leading global research institution Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

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