Lawn Water Conservation Educator

About the Job (NOTE: This position is no longer open)

Posted October 23, 2019. This position contributes to outreach and research work at the University of Minnesota related to water efficiency and conservation in home lawns and various turfgrass systems. The candidate will coordinate, participate in, and lead outreach and research programs related to turfgrass irrigation in the 7-county Twin Cities Metro Area. The candidate will contribute to research and outreach projects funded by the Metropolitan Council and various other donors. Research and outreach projects will include, but are not limited to: water conservation through the implementation of technology, public demonstrations of low maintenance grasses and irrigation systems, and drought tolerance of cool-season turfgrasses.

Initial projects have been determined; however, the candidate will be encouraged to seek out new opportunities that align with the goals of the turfgrass science program. The candidate will also be expected to present research to stakeholder groups and be an active participant in state, regional and national meetings. The candidate will be expected to manage and coordinate research and demonstration projects, and then supervise the implementation and execution of those projects.

This position is reappointed on an annual basis and is expected to last for an initial period of 2 years. This position requires frequent travel within the Twin Cities metro region and occasional overnight travel. A flexible schedule to accommodate public outreach presentations is needed.

Minimum Qualifications

  • B.S. in plant science or related discipline by start date and at least 3 years of related professional experience
  • Turfgrass science or horticultural research experience
  • Experience in outreach and/or teaching
  • Demonstrated public speaking experience
  • Class D Driver’s License (to drive project vehicle / trailer)

Preferred Qualifications

  • M.S. in plant science or related discipline by start date
  • Experience with turfgrass irrigation system installation, auditing, and operation
  • Experience in developing or contributing to online education programs
  • Experience engaging effectively with turfgrass professionals, homeowners and a variety of groups with diverse backgrounds
  • Documented evidence of ability to write and contribute to scientific manuscripts and outreach resources
  • Scholarly productivity as highlighted by presentations or other accomplishments
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team with diverse perspectives
  • Experience in demonstrating water conservation approaches in turfgrass management systems

Desired competencies

  • Organized and detail-oriented
  • Ability to communicate well with a diverse audience of homeowners, public employees, turfgrass professionals, university researchers, and personnel at non-governmental organizations
  • Aptitude to become go-to expert on home and commercial property irrigation for 7-county metro area
  • Networking skills to find opportunities to disseminate message on lawn water conservation

Primary Duties

  1. (60%) Development and execution of in-person and online educational programs related to water conservation in lawns and turf systems
  2. (20%) Conduct and lead applied turfgrass research on drought tolerant grasses and water conservation that includes data collection, data analysis and contributing to scientific journal articles
  3. (10%) Maintain existing public demonstration projects related to low maintenance turfgrasses and irrigation technology; tasks include repairing irrigation, and seeding and fertilizing demonstration plots
  4. (5%) Assist various projects within the turfgrass science program to include seeding, mowing, and harvesting samples for other researchers’ various research trials
  5. (5%) Attend weekly turfgrass science lab meetings and regularly lead group lab meetings; organize and lead monthly meetings with the grant funder

About the Turfgrass Science Program

The Turfgrass Science program at the University of Minnesota is part of the Department of Horticultural Science in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Natural Resource Sciences, and the University of Minnesota Extension.  At our Turfgrass, Research, Outreach and Education (TROE) Center on the St. Paul campus, we conduct research on turfgrass breeding and genetics, fate and transport of nutrients and pesticides, roadside turfgrass selection and management, low-input turfgrasses for cold climates, water conservation in turfgrass systems.  We have four full time staff, including faculty and research scientists; three post-doctoral research associates and numerous M.S. and Ph.D. students who support ongoing research.  More information about our program can be found at: www.turf.umn.edu and www.horticulture.umn.edu.  For more information about this position, please contact Eric Watkins, Professor (ph: 612-624-7496; [email protected]).

How To Apply

Applications must be submitted online.  Please visit https://humanresources.umn.edu/content/find-job and search for job opening 333865.