Area Agronomist
#13-09


Southeast Area, Lamar, CO
Deadline -- December 2, 2009 for full consideration


The Southeast Area is composed of seven counties in southeastern Colorado (Baca, Bent, Cheyenne, Crowley, Kiowa, Otero, and Prowers). This position will be located in Lamar, Colorado. Lamar, the county seat of Prowers County, has a population of 8,750. The position will be working primarily with farmers and ranchers in four of the seven counties (Baca, Cheyenne, Kiowa, and Prowers). These four Counties have a combined land mass of 4.9 million acres, two million acres are cultivated, which includes 461,000 acres in CRP (conservation reserve program) and 194,214 irrigated acres. Primary crops include dry land wheat, sorghum, and sunflowers, irrigated corn and alfalfa hay. Much of the land is used for range, livestock grazing; however cropping-livestock interactions are very popular and important to the economy. There is an increasing interest in oilseed crops. Southeast Colorado is the home of one of the larger wind energy projects in the country. To learn more about Colorado State University Extension, visit: www.ext.colostate.edu. For more information about the Southeast Area, visit: http://www.extension.colostate.edu/SEA.


APPLICATION PROCESS AND DEADLINE:

All materials must be RECEIVED no later than December 2, 2009 for full consideration. Please submit the following via e-mail to apply:

  • Cover letter
  • Statement (no more than 5 pages) that addresses how you meet all the “Required” and “Desired” criteria listed in the Vacancy Announcement
  • Resume
  • Transcripts of college(s) course work showing degrees conferred
  • Name, address, telephone, e-mail address, and your relationship to at least four (4) references (Note: Applicant will be notified PRIOR to references being contacted.)

Email materials to cepersonnel@ext.colostate.edu. If you are unable to e-mail your materials, please call 970-491-1617 for alternate delivery methods.

For questions regarding the application process, contact 970-491-1617 or cepersonnel@ext.colostate.edu. For questions regarding the job vacancy and responsibilities, please contact Joel Plath, 719-545-1845 or joel.plath@colostate.edu..


PURPOSE OF POSITION:

The primary purpose of the Area Agronomist position is to deliver research based, objective, informal education to solve problems, develop leadership, and assist producers in the South Eastern Colorado in agricultural profitability and sustainability. The position primarily addresses farmers and ranchers in four of the seven counties (Baca, Cheyenne, Kiowa, and Prowers), but will not exclude work in other counties. Major emphasis is on wheat, sorghum, and oil seeds. The agent develops, conducts, and evaluates programs in agricultural production that address priority needs. The person is expected to work with CSU Extension Specialists and Agents, other agricultural professional personnel and organizations, university faculty and researchers, Extension administrators, farmers, ranchers, government agencies, and agricultural industry personnel. The person must be able to work with diverse clientele and colleagues and be willing to employ a variety of teaching methods.


RESPONSIBILITIES AND RELATIONSHIPS:

The individual in this position works as a member of a team of professionals, is a local representative of Colorado State University, and works under the supervision and guidance of the Southeast Area Extension Director. The individual will be expected to participate on one or more Extension work teams in their area of expertise. There is potential for a joint appointment in an appropriate department at Colorado State University upon the review and approval of the department’s faculty (assuming the successful candidate has a Master’s degree). The individual will be expected to contribute knowledge and expertise throughout the southern region as needs arise. The successful candidate will:

  • Provide leadership in developing and conducting area-wide non-credit educational programming, including on-farm research/demonstrations and production workshops related to field crop production and management techniques (including alternative crops, value added agriculture, integrated crop/livestock systems, etc.);
  • Develop relationships with the local plant science industry including producers, agencies and organizations to continually assess agronomic opportunities and identify needs;
  • Engage diverse groups (including but not limited to the Plainsman Experiment Station, Southeast Area and Southern Region team members, CSU Extension Specialists, federal, state, and local agriculture agencies, and other public and private agencies and organizations) in the development of program direction and evaluation of program effectiveness;
  • Maintain effective communication with local staff, appropriate state staff, other Colorado State University personnel in program development, delivery, evaluation, and reporting, and with county stakeholders;
  • Develop proposals for external funding, including grants, contracts, user fees, cash gifts, etc.;
  • Assure compliance with civil rights and affirmative action policies including reaching out to underserved and under represented audiences; and
  • Provide leadership and assistance with other activities as assigned.


SALARY:

Salary will be commensurate with training and experience.


EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

REQUIRED
  • Bachelor’s degree required (must be conferred by start date), Master’s degree preferred. One degree should be in agronomy, soil and crop science, weed science, bio-ag science, or closely related field. The position carries the title of “Extension Agent” for a successful candidate with a Master’s degree. Otherwise the position will be that of “Program Associate”, and a Master’s degree relevant to this Extension position must be earned within 5 years of starting employment. Failure to do so may result in termination.
  • Course work and/or professional experience must provide a broad and significant understanding of cropping systems, natural resources/agriculture and rural economies. It is important the educational background include the behavioral sciences as well.
  • Demonstrated skill working with people as individuals and in groups.
  • Professional experience in crop production or related agricultural industry. A minimum of 5 years of experience is required of candidates without a Master’s degree.
  • Appreciation and understanding of rural communities and an interest in working with people in a rural environment to address important issues.
  • Understanding of different ethnic and socioeconomic audiences, commitment to include diverse voices in program prioritization and planning, and a commitment to developing and delivering both inclusive and targeted programming.
  • Evidence of drive and initiative.
  • Demonstrated leadership ability.
  • Ability to communicate (oral, written, listening, and public speaking/presentation skills).
  • Computer literacy as demonstrated by evidence of computer use in educational programming.

DESIRABLE
  • Professional experience in teaching or communicating crop production technologies, industry issues and management practices, as well as the identification and adaptation of appropriate research to specific local crop enterprises.
  • Experience with dryland and irrigated grain crops.
  • Experience involving citizens in audience needs identification, educational program development and evaluating results of programs and projects, including development of appropriate evaluation instruments.
  • Knowledge in one or more of the following: alternative production practices for field crops; oilseed production and processing, reclamation of disturbed lands in a semi-arid environment, the various marketing alternatives available for field crops, weeds and their control, and some knowledge of horticulture.
  • Experience working as a member of (or leading) an on-farm, applied research team that has resulted in tangible products or outcomes.
  • Experience in effectively translating and communicating technical information to lay people.
  • Ability to use: GPS and digital mapping, digital camera and manipulation of images in presentations and posting on the web and sending via email, web for reporting and sharing of data as well as information retrieval, software for image management, and statistical analysis software.
  • Academic and/or professional experience applying economics to agricultural recommendations and/or technical information.
  • Demonstrated ability to resolve conflicts, mediate issues, and facilitate group interactions.
  • Successful experience in developing financial support for educational programs, including contracting, donor development, grantsmanship, and cost recovery efforts.
  • Demonstrated ability to work effectively with news media.
  • Professional experience with, or knowledge of, Extension and the land-grant university system.
  • Ability to speak Spanish.

BENEFITS:

Based on full-time employment. Twenty-four working days vacation each year, 15 days sick leave. Enrollment in group health, life and accident insurance, various retirement plans, work injury benefits, and disability insurance are all available.

Available personal transportation required, travel allowance provided. Colorado State University provides an allowance for moving new employees. .

Colorado State University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution and complies with all federal and Colorado State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding affirmative action requirements in all programs. The Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity is located in 101 Student Services Building. In order to assist Colorado State University in meeting its affirmative action responsibilities, ethnic minorities, women, and other protected class members are encouraged to apply and to so identify themselves.

Colorado State University Extension operates in compliance with the same laws and executive orders as the University as administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture relations. As a part of the USDA regulations, the Extension Equal Employment Opportunity representative may be contacted at 1311 South College Avenue, Room 102, Colorado State University.

Under the Colorado Open Records Law in order for application materials to be treated as confidential a specific written request that all materials submitted be held in confidence must accompany your application. Such confidentiality cannot be extended to those identified as "finalists" i.e. selected for interview by the Search Committee.

BACKGROUND CHECK: Colorado State University is committed to providing a safe and productive learning and living community. To achieve that goal, we conduct background investigations for all final candidates being considered for employment. Background checks may include, but are not limited to, criminal history, national sex offender search and motor vehicle history.

Application process and additional information may be obtained at our Web site: www.ext.colostate.edu (click on Employment) or by contacting:

Judith A. Barth, Ph.D., Assistant Director, Operations
Colorado State University Extension
4040 Campus Delivery
Fort Collins CO 80523-4040
E-mail: Extension Personnel cepersonnel@ext.colostate.edu (970) 491-1617

Go to top of this page.