Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist

* Serve as a principal resource for horticultural information and problem solving in the Hill Country of Texas (basis for Fredericksburg location), the State of Texas, and externally to Texas, when multi-state issues arise that align with the Agency’s mission. The areas of Extension engagement will focus on grape (viticulture), tree fruit, and small fruit production, but may also support small acreage fruit and vegetable production, and home gardening clientele needs and issues.
* Collect and synthesize information from county, regional, and statewide program development committees, clientele needs assessments, survey data, clientele organizations, and key industry leaders to guide the content, quality, and priority of programming.
* Support county Extension agents with programming and content related to the subject matter expertise through program planning meetings, individual consultation, site visits with clientele, speaking at educational programs, and in other educational roles.
* Coordinate with other Extension Specialists/Program Specialists, Regional Program Leaders and appropriate county agent programming efforts, support result demonstrations, and other activities when performed in counties or multi-county programs that serve this region.
* Provide professional development opportunities and training to support agents as requested by Regional Program Leaders (RPLs), District Extension Administrators (DEAs), and Associate Department Heads (ADHs) in subject matter, issues identification, and program planning areas.
* Work with county Extension agents and Agency leadership to develop and implement volunteer training activities.
* To address stakeholder needs, develop an extramurally funded research program commensurate with 25% Research Appointment.
* Understands the type of programmatic approaches needed to meet the needs and capabilities of different audiences for effective program planning and implementation.
* Develop and participate in disciplinary and interdisciplinary programming efforts as appropriate to adequately address the priority issues facing our stakeholders.
* Work to effectively coordinate and integrate programs and, as appropriate, contribute to an Extension Coordinated Program Area and local county agent committees.
* Establish and conduct an effective Extension education program for the grape, tree fruit and low growing horticulture-industries of Texas.
* Develop and implement evaluation strategies to assess outcomes from Extension educational programs and demonstrate evidence of program impacts (i.e., knowledge gain, behavior change, adoption of new technologies and best practices, economic impact) as measured by well-designed program evaluations.
* Establish a Hatch project and/or participate in a Multi-State Hatch Project.
* Participate in program planning at the multi-county or regional level and convey insights to their Associate Department Head, Department Head and agency administration as appropriate.
* Communicate pertinent scientific knowledge to grape, tree fruit and low growing fruit industry stakeholders and other pertinent horticultural specialty crop producers in the Hill Country area (serving in both Extension Districts 7 and 10).
* Develop, implement, and evaluate innovative educational programs resources and materials (e.g., fact sheets, instruction manuals, educational videos, online courses, computer software programs, apps, etc.)
* Conduct applied or translational research that is in line with the Extension and Research programming effort.
* Advise/mentor graduate students to obtain Extension and Research-based research goals.
* Publish creative and scholarly work in peer-reviewed journals appropriate to the faculty member’s subject matter area, and present research findings in relevant industry trade publications, or at grower conferences, professional meetings, or scientific symposia.
* Have completed or will have completed their Ph.D. in Horticulture, or a closely related discipline in the plant sciences at the time of joining.
* Experience in grape, tree fruit, and small fruit production.
* Demonstrated track record of published research results in peer-reviewed journals.
* Training in Extension or adult education methods.
* Established track record of non peer-reviewed publication and funding procurement.
* Excellence in verbal and written communication.
* Team-building skills, collaboration capacity, and project management abilities.
* Experience in the area of specialization, ability to write grant proposals to secure external funding; development and implementation of Extension programming; evidence of publishing in peer-reviewed journals; and participation in professional societies.
* Competence in the use of personal computers; navigating communications, team collaboration, word processing and spreadsheet software; and using appropriate statistical-analysis software.
* Ability to travel to work with industry stakeholders in support of the land grant mission.
* Ability to…