Extension Educator, Horticulture

Horticulture Extension Educator

Working Title: Extension Educator, Horticulture

Appointment: Full‑time, P&A, Assistant Extension Professor (9624FH)

Extension Area: Department of Agricultural and Natural Resource Systems (ANR)

Pay Range: $68,000 – $78,000 annually; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Office

Location:

Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Chaska, MN

Apply By: January 5, 2026

The University of Minnesota is seeking an Extension Horticulture Educator. In this role, the educator will be responsible for promotion of best practices within managed horticultural landscape systems through multiple perspectives. Examples of these perspectives can include ecosystem support, climate adaptation and mitigation, clean water (watershed impact), resilient native and non‑native plants, and sustainable landscape design. Key topic areas might include ornamental and edible herbaceous plants, plant selection, sustainable landscape implementation and maintenance, soil health, climate resiliency, etc.

This educator will collaborate with a variety of audiences such as property owners and managers, community organizations, urban stakeholders, nursery and landscape industries, others at the University of Minnesota and new and/or historically underserved groups. The educator will participate in annual performance reviews and more frequent team and individual check‑in conversations. Long‑term success will be evaluated through the Extension promotion process and these criteria.

• Design, develop, deliver and evaluate high‑quality, research and best practice based educational programs to advance managed horticultural landscape systems.
• Identify educational needs and audiences.
• Lead curriculum development and serve as a subject matter expert for other Extension educators and specialists in the area of managed horticultural landscape systems.
• Plan and implement education formats and forums.
• Partner with the department’s evaluation specialist to design and implement program evaluation and distribute results in collaboration with the communication team.
• Evaluate the impact of this work and make needed changes in the future.
• Other related duties as assigned.

• Develop and maintain effective stakeholder collaborations that further the development and delivery of Extension educational programs. Examples include the Extension Master Gardener program, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, and diverse and historically underserved audiences.
• Participate in UMN Extension, professional, and community service opportunities.
• Foster and contribute to a positive work climate with colleagues, advisory groups, audiences, and partnerships.
• Participate in team meetings, on committees, and professional development opportunities.
• Actively participate in cross departmental horticulture education efforts with the Extension Master Gardener team and the Arboretum education and horticulture teams to maximize audience reach and public value.

• Help secure external funding through grants, strategic alliances, private philanthropy and donations to support the growth of programs that address managed horticultural landscape systems.
• Share findings through Extension education programming including blogs, websites, social media posts, podcasts, conferences and professional and industry meetings.
• Develop a portfolio of scholarly activities to meet the needs of a variety of horticulture audiences.

• A Master’s degree in horticulture, plant science, agricultural education, or a related field to managed horticultural landscape systems.
• Two or more years of successful experience communicating educational messages in horticulture, plant science, agricultural education, or a field related to managed horticultural landscape systems and content in a variety of forums and formats.
• Expertise in one or more horticulture/managed landscape content areas such as ecosystem support, climate adaptation and mitigation, clean water (watershed impact), resilient native and non‑native plants, and sustainable landscape design.
• A…