Position Title: Extension Specialist/Agronomist/ Soil Fertility

Employee Classification: Ext State Specialist

College/Division: Cooperative Extension Service

Department: 311200-EXTENSN PLANT SCIENCES

Internal or External Search: External – Open to all applicants

Location: Cooperative Extension Locations

Offsite Location (if applicable): ASC/Artesia

Target Hourly/Salary Rate: Commensurate on experience

Appointment Full-time Equivalency: 1.0

Exempt or Non-Exempt: Exempt

Summary: Inviting applications for an Extension Agronomy/Soil Fertility Specialist, Assistant Professor (tenure-track, 12-month) position.

Classification Summary:Extension Specialists provide New Mexico’s citizenry and communities with effective leadership and collaboration to foster economic, educational, and community development.

Classification Standard Duties:Extension Plant Sciences (EPS) has a mission to extend research-based knowledge and technology that will enable producers, clientele, and citizens to improve the quality of their lives and enhance the agricultural, economic, environmental, and social well-being of New Mexico. Plant and Environmental Sciences (PES) has a mission to improve the quality of life for the citizens of New Mexico through teaching, research, outreach, and service in the study and application of plant, soil, water, and environmental sciences.

Required Education, Experience, Certification/License, Equivalency

Ph.D. (in hand by hire date) in agronomy, soil science, plant science, or related field.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of agronomic crop production and management systems.

Understanding of and familiarity with agronomic crop production challenges in arid and semi-arid growing regions, including fertility management in alkaline/calcareous soils and salinity management.

Knowledge of Extension education, design and establishment of demonstration plots, and working with community groups and farmers.

Demonstrated ability to effectively interpret current agronomic management research findings and make related practical recommendations to County Extension Agents, agricultural producers, agribusinesses, homeowners, city, county, and state agencies, and the general public in diverse communities throughout New Mexico.

Demonstrated ability to design, conduct, implement, and publish scientific experiments.

Demonstrated ability to effectively interact and work with, communicate with (oral and written), and relate to people of all ages, socio-economic background, education levels and race and ethnic backgrounds to develop informal and formal educational programs to meet their needs.

Knowledge of up-to-date information delivery methods to meet the needs of the diverse target clientele associated with this position, including non-traditional and innovative, social network and other electronic media outlets.

Demonstrated experience working with audiences who vary according to attributes such as race, ethnicity, socio-economic background, and age.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

The position will be located at the Agricultural Science Center located in Artesia, NM with statewide responsibilities. Travel is required. May work evenings or weekends as needed. Valid driver’s license and personal auto required; reimbursed at the federal allowable rate. Appointment is 51% Extension, 49% Research.

The Department of Extension Plant Sciences (EPS) in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) at the New Mexico State University (NMSU) invites applications for an Extension Agronomy/Soil Fertility Specialist, Assistant Professor (tenure-track, 12-month/year) position. The position will hold an appointment in the EPS and Plant and Environmental Sciences (PES) departments and be administratively responsible to the Department Head of the two units.

• Responsible for directing a leading edge research and related Extension education programs in agronomy, soil and irrigation water, with an emphasis on agronomic cropping systems.

• Conduct field- and lab-based research on soil fertility, salinity, and irrigation water quality related issues facing New Mexico crop producers.

• Interpret and disseminate current and relevant research findings for practical use by clientele through mass media, publications, grower meetings, Extension programs, demonstration plots, and other proven Extension methods. Write and revise Extension publications.

• Provide training and assistance to County Extension Agents, crop producers, and the public on various aspects of crop production and management options.

• Maintain close working relationships with the ACES Plant and Environmental Sciences department (PES), New Mexico Department of Agriculture, and other federal, state, and local agencies.

• Work collaboratively with other state Extension specialists, university researchers, and County Extension agents in developing and implementing multi-disciplinary activities.

• Build and maintain working relationships with community and producer organizations (e.g., commodity groups, farmers markets, farmer networks), the agricultural industry, and other related industries.

• Acquire external funding to support, develop, and implement Extension and research programs.

• Qualify for graduate faculty status. Graduate advising opportunities are available within the Extension Plant Sciences and Plant and Environmental Sciences departments.

• Publish research results in peer-reviewed journals and generate scholarly activities in a manner to fulfill tenure track expectations.

• Research and graduate advising opportunities are available within PES.

• Foster collaborations and participate in activities and on research teams that support the work of the Center for Excellence in Sustainable Food and Agricultural Systems (CESFAS.)

• Promote CES programs within the districts to meet the LEADS 2025 Equity, Inclusion and Diversity goals prioritizing the program expansion to non-traditional demographics.

The economic base of southeastern New Mexico has a long history in the energy/petroleum sector as well as ranching, dairy, and farming. The region’s dominant cropping systems include irrigated alfalfa, cotton, corn, assorted vegetables, and pecans. The agricultural crops sold in the southeastern counties are valued at nearly $1.5 billion. Utilization of solid and liquid wastes from the local dairy industry in cropping systems and management of agricultural chemicals for water quality protection are points of significant interest and concern for local agricultural producers in the lower Pecos River Basin and southeastern New Mexico. Furthermore, long-term drought in the region has led to increasing salinity-related limitations to crop production in New Mexico. The incumbent of this position will support the agricultural industry in New Mexico with appropriate applied research and timely Extension efforts.

The Artesia ASC is located 6 miles south of Artesia, in New Mexico’s Pecos River Basin, and is comprised of field, greenhouse, and laboratory facilities. Faculty at this ASC conduct research and extension programming in soil, water, crop and entomological sciences to enhance the agricultural, economic, environmental, and social well-being of southeastern New Mexico. For more information, please visit the Artesia ASC website at .

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in agronomic crop production and applied research is preferred. Experience in Cooperative Extension is desirable.

Special Requirements of the Position

The following documents are required. Please include on the application:

-Your resume/cv

-Cover letter

-Transcript

-Statement of research interests (2-page maximum) and a concise statement of Extension & outreach interests, goals, and objectives for this position (2-page maximum)

Department Contact: Richard Heerema

Contingent Upon Funding: Not Applicable

Bargaining Unit Eligibility: This is NOT a bargaining unit position with American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

Standard Work Schedule: Standard (M-F, 8-5)

If Not a Standard Work Schedule:

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

Environment: Work involves moderate exposure to unusual elements, such as extreme temperatures, dirt, dust, fumes, smoke, unpleasant odors, and/or loud noises.

Physical Effort: Moderate physical activity.

Lifting Requirements: Requires handling of average-weight objects up to 10 pounds or some standing or walking.

Risk: Work environment involves some exposure to hazards or physical risks, which require following basic safety precautions.