Grassland Research and Extension Manager

Job Description

This position is supported by Advancing Markets Program grants developed to foster greater grassland resilience and encourage management that improves ecosystem services of forage-livestock production systems. It is essential that this person be able to help farmers implement a suite of grazing / land management practices and work to track the effect of these changes over time. The person in this position will work under the direction of the State Forage Extension Specialist and lead collaborations with producers Virginia Cooperative Extension agents Small Farm Outreach Program Agents Agency personnel forage industry players and students/personnel in Virginia Techs Sustainable Grasslands Lab in the School of Plant and Environmental Sciences.
Job Description:
The successful candidate will provide direct one-on-one technical assistance to producers; develop coordinate and lead outreach programming; provide research support; and administer grassland management programs focused on building resilient sustainable and productive grazing systems through collaborative science and cooperative extension. The candidate will instruct guide and assist farmers on how to implement best management practices. The candidate will collect samples to track changes in soil health in response to management practices implemented on participant farms. Suitable candidates will supervise other staff and students manage research and for the project (including data collection analysis and curation; laboratory and field operations work and maintenance) conduct extension activities and required reporting.
The successful candidate must work closely with farmers researchers students extension agents and community stakeholders. Knowledge of grassland management demonstrated effective communication skills ability to coordinate activities for other staff and students and capacity to implement practices - particularly those involving on-farm trials and participatory research - are key skills and knowledge areas.

Required Qualifications

A masters degree in agronomy natural resources management or conservation or a bachelors degree (in previously mentioned disciplines) and significant professional level experience or expertise that equates to the minimum educational qualifications. Must be able to drive and work independently.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with warm-season native grasses and silvopasture establishment and management. Soil sampling and management. Supervisory experience in a research setting.

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Restricted

Salary Information

Hours per week

40

Review Date

07/19/2026 (open until filled)

Additional Information

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 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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