Associate Extension Agent, Agriculture & Natural Resources Chesterfield County

Job Description

Chesterfield County located just outside Richmond Virginia is home to more than 340000 residents and maintains over 20000 acres of farmland and forest production. The Extension Agent Agriculture & Natural Resources provides current research-based education to strengthen agricultural sustainability environmental stewardship and urban food system resilience within the county.
This position places a strong emphasis on applied education and workforce development through the Chesterfield Extension Plant Lab which serves as a central hub for community education youth workforce preparation and hands-on agricultural learning. The agent will oversee plant lab operations integrate the facility into Extension programming and develop school-based apprenticeship and work-based learning opportunities in partnership with Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs and local schools.
The agent builds relationships with agri-businesses community leaders and local state and federal partners to address agricultural and natural resource challenges. Educational programming focuses on soil and water conservation urban nutrient management Chesapeake Bay protection urban agriculture climate-smart practices and pollinator health.
The ANR Agent also contributes to community preparedness agricultural disaster response and urban economic development initiatives that strengthen local food systems and environmental resilience.

Required Qualifications

Bachelors degree (BA or BS) in agriculture agronomy horticulture natural resources biology environmental science or a related field from an accredited institution.
Demonstrated ability to plan implement and evaluate educational programs.
Experience working with volunteers youth or community-based audiences.
Strong communication and presentation skills with ability to engage broad audiences.
Demonstrated ability to use technology for educational programming and program management.
Ability to work independently while contributing to team-based initiatives.
Flexibility adaptability and commitment to client success.
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

Background in plant pathology or plant diagnostics.
Masters degree in agriculture natural resources or related field (required within six years if hired with a bachelors degree).
Experience in Cooperative Extension or community outreach education.
Familiarity with Virginia agricultural and local food systems.
Experience managing an applied learning or plant production facility.
Experience supervising youth interns or workforce training programs.

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Restricted

Salary Information

$50000 - $65000

Hours per week

Varies

Close Date

May 8 2026

Additional Information

The successful candidate will be required to 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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