AssistantAssociate Agent, Commercial Horticulture (Phoenix, AZ)

Outstanding U of A benefits include health dental and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation sick leave and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!

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The purpose of the Commercial Horticulture ExtensionAssistant/Associate Agent is to conduct applied research deliver educational opportunities and provide technical supportto the consumer and commercial horticulture sectors as well as productionassistance for urban landscape systems in Maricopa County. The agent collaborates with the commercial horticulture sectorlike retail and wholesale nursery industry leaderscommercial fruit vegetable and flower producers and commercial landscapesuppliers to identify research and education needs to benefit the industry andpromote environmentally responsible practices in the desert southwest. Researchand Extension program outcomes are presented at conferences and stateregional and national meetings of professional organizations. The agentcommunicates with clientele and peers througha variety of means including print publications peer reviewed journalarticles emails and social opportunities are offered through formal and non-formal classes clinics and workshops in plantbiology pest management soil science water and otherrelevant topics as needed for entities such as professional and urbanhorticulture and food producers. On-sitesupport Is provided through visits toidentify problems and offer practical solutions. Oversight and guidance isprovided to clientele across Maricopa County. The agent works with diverseclientele as well as other University of Arizona agents specialists researchersprogrammatic staff volunteers and governmental agenciesand nongovernmental organization representatives.

Major Responsibilities andDuties:

A. Program Development
1. Conducts a systematic analysis of national Arizona and countydata local resources and historical information in order to identifycommunity assets program needs outreach and teaching opportunities.
2. Identifies resources (grants contracts in-kind contributionsetc.) to enhance programs.
3. In cooperation with community groups local leaders Extensionadvisory groups and other Extension professionals develops an annual Plan ofWork.
4. Consults with Extension faculty Experiment Station researchersand other experts in the development of educational programs applied researchand scholarly works.

B. Program Implementation
1. Conducts creative programming and utilizes new technology thatmay include problem solving research to address priority needs of the targetaudiences.
2. Participates in statewide working groups to develop new andcreative programming efforts.
3. Prepares educational material evaluation instruments teachingmaterials and publicity information in support of state county and communityinitiatives.
4. Functions as a resource for other agencies and interaction and cooperation among various groups.
5. Disseminates educational materials through county-wide and/ormulti-county events workshops websites newsletters and other mass mediamethods use of volunteers and other methods.
6. Promotes communication and teamwork with county and stateExtension other faculty and professionals.
7. Promotes Cooperative Extension as the outreach arm of the stateland-grant university.

C. Program Results
1. Evaluates and documents results and impacts of educationalprograms.
2. Communicates program results to both professional peers andclientele through periodic reports scholarly works and various types ofpublications (e.g. bulletins/fact sheets popular articles statepublications scientific articles social media video and computer programs).
3. Counsels with the County Extension Director to evaluate programeffectiveness and personal achievements as an Extension faculty member.

D. Professionalism
1. Maintains professional competence through study participation inprofessional activities and the application of knowledge and skills on the job.
2. Maintains high ethical and professional standards and is loyalto Cooperative Extension and the University of Arizona.
3. Promotes public understanding and support for Extension andUniversity programs.
4. Performs as a collegial member of Arizona Cooperative Extension.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities(KSAs):

• Skill in identifying and obtaining grants contracts and other financial resources to enhance programming.
• Knowledge of designing implementing and evaluating educational programming.
• Knowledge in the subject matter of commercial commercial horticulture and food production.
• Ability to work with community stakeholders and volunteers.

Physical Requirementsand Environmental Demands:

• Employee is frequentlyrequired to safely lift/move/transport up to 50 pounds.
• Employee may have to perform work outdoors and may not be protected from weather conditions. Temperatures above 100 degrees for more than an hour.
• Employee may have to experience high levels of noise vibration hazards including a variety of physical conditions such as proximity to moving mechanical parts moving vehicles electrical current working on scaffolding and high places or exposure to chemicals in a work setting.
• There is air or skin exposure to oils or other cutting fluids.
• Employee may be exposed to atmospheric conditions that affect the respiratory system such as fumes odors dust mists gases or poor ventilation.

Flexible Work Arrangements:

• Flexible schedule.

• A masters degree or an equivalentqualification in Horticulture plant science pest management soil healthplant pathology or a related field of study.
• Twoyears of applicable professional experience.
• Must have a valid drivers license and ability to drive according to the University Fleet Safety Policy.

• Program and personnel management experience.
• Experience planning programs and working with community engagement.