Extension Area Specialized Agent for Farm Innovation and Agribusiness Management Northwest District

Job Description

The Area Specialized Extension Agent (ASA) for Farm Innovation and Agribusiness Management is responsible for providing leadership guidance and expertise to producers Extension agents and the agricultural community in Virginia Cooperative Extensions (VCE) Northwest District. The positions home office location may be a unit office within the district or based at the Northwest District Office of VCE in Mt. Crawford VA. The position will provide services throughout the 20 counties and independent cities within the district.
As producers face increasingly complex decisions about land use technology adoption new crops new nutrients and the processes for using them many find they need tools and access to faculty to support quality decision-making. The position will further economic and business decision-making (i.e. enterprise budgets profit/loss analysis financial crisis management farm labor economics of improvements land lease rates etc.). The ASA will be expected to evaluate the economic efficacy of new technologies and the technologys ability to contribute to the profitability and sustainability of producer operations in their unique contexts.
This position will play a key role in enhancing agricultural sustainability economic viability and community well-being to the area farming communities. The ASA will work closely with Extension agents and specialists in delivering educational programming that enhances the agricultural productivity and sustainability of producer operations with specific emphasis on livestock production.

Required Qualifications

A masters degree in agricultural economics or a related discipline. Strong knowledge of applied agricultural economics livestock production and agricultural technology. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Experience working collaboratively with a wide variety of stakeholders including businesses community organizations and/or Extension agents and staff. Demonstrated ability to plan implement facilitate teach and evaluate educational programs. Knowledge and use of computer technology in educational programming and management. Strong presentation skills. Able to work independently and as part of a team. Strong desire to help clients succeed.

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

Strong knowledge of livestock agronomy and local cropping systems. Prior experience as an Extension agent.

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Regular

Salary Information

$70000 - $90000

Hours per week

40

Close Date

October 16 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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