Now hiring: Extension Educator – Horticulture, Turf & Urban Greenspace

University of Minnesota Extension is conducting a candidate search for the position of Extension Educator – Horticulture, Turf & Urban Greenspace. DEADLINE to apply is July 4, 2022.

Woman giving a presentation to crowd in front of turf research plots

Job description

This Extension Educator (EE) position will provide statewide technical assistance and educational programming leadership for stakeholders state-wide, from grass seed growers in greater Minnesota to homeowners in urban areas. Turf systems comprise a large area of Minnesota and have a very strong impact on water usage from ground and surface waters for the whole state. Turf areas impact nutrient management through direct fertilizer usage and by being the most common buffer between agricultural land and water systems. Turf is a vital part of the urban garden/farming landscape, and education about grasses is important for all Minnesotans. The EE will design, develop, implement and evaluate research-based educational programming via online and technology tools, seminars, workshops, field days, or non-credit courses with an emphasis on online tools.  

The EE will collaborate closely with Extension and research state faculty, regional and local EEs, industry representatives and other stakeholders from both horticulture and crops to extend research into the community. This position will report to the Program Leader in Horticulture for program direction, performance evaluation and personnel actions.

The person hired for this position will:

  • Develop educational programming to effectively and efficiently reach intended audiences, through use of appropriate delivery methods and associated existing (when possible) communication channels
  • Develop and use program evaluations to measure program outcomes, impact and overall effectiveness that can also inform future programs
  • Provide up-to-date research-based education and information on turfgrass production to home gardeners, horticultural professionals in the commercial and non-profit arenas, and Extension Master Gardener volunteers
  • Develop collaborative, mutually beneficial relationships with a wide range of stakeholders including but not limited to faculty, audiences and industry professionals
  • Align with existing horticulture team communication channels including blogs, online classes, in person workshops or presentations, field days, presentations at professional conferences, online and written publications, fact sheets, bulletins, newsletters, social media, and other related educational materials 
  • Plan and conduct scholarly programming and creative activities to meet the needs of professional growers and users of turfgrass (e.g. low-input turf, bee lawns, climate resilient landscapes). Communicate results through reports, articles, and educational materials for Extension and peer-reviewed publications
  • Work with other Extension Specialists and Educators to respond to inquiries from local and statewide seed growers, turfgrass producers about greenspace issues
  • Use current and appropriate technology for program design, delivery, reporting, communication and trend monitoring
  • Collaborate with appropriate faculty, staff, and industry partners to identify financial and in-kind support for outreach programming
  • Maintain high level expertise in current turfgrass science, through professional development in scholarship, program development and delivery via conferences, self-directed study and/or other appropriate means
  • Participate and advance in professional performance through annual performance reviews, professional plan of work and promotion
  • Make significant annual contributions to the six promotion criteria in Extension academic rank:  program leadership, extension teaching, scholarship, engagement, program management and service

For more information

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Extension
turfgrass education