Assistant​/Associate Agent, Commercial Horticulture; Phoenix, AZ

Assistant/Associate Agent, Commercial Horticulture (Phoenix, AZ)

Posting Number req
25033

Department Maricopa County Office

Department Website Link extension.arizona.edu/Maricopa

Location Greater Phoenix Area

Address 4341 E Broadway Road, Phoenix, AZ 85040 USA

Position Highlights The Assistant/Associate Area Agent, Commercial Horticulture is a faculty position that delivers research-based, objective, informal education to stakeholders in Maricopa County. The Agent's extension efforts focus on challenges in commercial horticulture and food production, covering nursery, vegetable, and fruit cultivation. The program emphasizes science-based approaches in topics like plant science, soil health, irrigation, and pest management.

Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!

The purpose of the Commercial Horticulture Extension Assistant/Associate Agent is to conduct applied research, deliver educational opportunities, and provide technical support to the consumer and commercial horticulture sectors, as well as production assistance for urban landscape systems in Maricopa County. The agent collaborates with the commercial horticulture sector, like retail and wholesale nursery industry leaders, commercial fruit, vegetable and flower producers, and commercial landscape suppliers to identify research and education needs to benefit the industry and promote environmentally responsible practices in the desert southwest.

Research and Extension program outcomes are presented at conferences and state, regional, and national meetings of professional organizations. The agent communicates with clientele and peers through a variety of means, including print publications, peer reviewed journal articles, emails, and social media. Educational opportunities are offered through formal and non-formal classes, clinics, and workshops in plant biology, pest management, soil science, water, and other relevant topics, as needed for entities such as professional and urban horticulture and food producers.

On-site support is provided through visits to identify problems and offer practical solutions. Oversight and guidance is provided to clientele across Maricopa County. The agent works with diverse clientele as well as other University of Arizona agents, specialists, researchers, programmatic staff, volunteers, and governmental agencies and nongovernmental organization representatives.

• Conducts a systematic analysis of national, Arizona, and county data, local resources, and historical information in order to identify community assets, program needs, outreach, and teaching opportunities.
• Identifies resources (grants, contracts, in-kind contributions, etc.) to enhance programs.
• In cooperation with community groups, local leaders, Extension advisory groups, and other Extension professionals, develops an annual Plan of Work.
• Consults with Extension faculty, Experiment Station researchers, and other experts in the development of educational programs, applied research, and scholarly works.

• Conducts creative programming and utilizes new technology that may include problem solving research, to address priority needs of the target audiences.
• Participates in statewide working groups to develop new and creative programming efforts.
• Prepares educational material, evaluation instruments, teaching materials and publicity information in support of state, county, and community initiatives.
• Functions as a resource for other agencies and organizations. Promotes interaction and cooperation among various groups.
• Disseminates educational materials through county-wide and/or multi-county events, workshops, websites, newsletters and other mass media methods, use of volunteers, and other methods.
• Promotes communication and teamwork with county and state Extension, other faculty and professionals.
• Promotes Cooperative Extension as the outreach arm of the state land-grant university.

• Evaluates and documents results and impacts of educational programs.
• Communicates program results to both professional peers and clientele through periodic reports, scholarly works, and various types of publications (e.g.,…