Associate in Extension, Horticulture; Yuma, AZ

Associate in Extension, Horticulture (Yuma, AZ)

Extension Professional III (Associate in Extension, Horticulture) – Yuma County Office of Cooperative Extension of the University of Arizona. The role focuses on education and support for horticultural and landscape plants in the desert southwest, including vegetable crops. Responsibilities include operating a greenhouse, demonstration gardens, conducting workshops, classes, tours, clinics, and leading a Master Gardener course that offers certification to volunteers.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; and access to U of A recreation and cultural activities.

Strategic program design and leadership:

• Design and lead comprehensive extension programs that respond to complex community, agricultural, or socioeconomic issues across Arizona regions in assigned focus areas.
• Set program goals, strategies, and evaluation plans in collaboration with faculty, specialists, and stakeholder groups.
• Oversee coordination of multiple projects or initiatives within the broader program portfolio.

Advanced outreach and research integration:

• Lead strategies for educational outreach and specialized extension workshops that provide evidence‑based solutions to complex community challenges.
• Collaborate with university researchers and faculty to translate advanced research findings and new technologies into practical tools and programs for Arizona communities.
• Develop specialized instructional materials and curricula tailored to various audiences and delivery formats.

Needs assessment and impact evaluation:

• Design and conduct independent, systematic needs assessments, including regional data analyses, to determine strategic extension program priorities and identify community assets.
• Develop or refine methods for measuring program effectiveness and long‑term impacts using both quantitative and qualitative data.
• Use findings to inform strategic planning, resource allocation, and regional extension service delivery.

Scholarly communication and reporting:

• Author and publish technical reports, extension publications, and scholarly articles that communicate research‑based program results to professional peers, community stakeholders, and university leadership.
• Present program outcomes at conferences, advisory meetings, and university forums in clear, accessible language.
• Provide data‑informed briefings to administrators and partners on program performance and regional trends.

Partnerships and external funding:

• Cultivate and advise strategic partnerships with campus units, agencies, industry groups, schools, and local governments to advance extension unit goals in assigned focus areas.
• Lead development of proposals to secure competitive external funding and grants to sustain and expand strategic extension initiatives.
• Steward funded projects by monitoring deliverables, timelines, and reporting requirements.

• Extensive knowledge of extension theory and practice, program evaluation, and community engagement strategies.
• Skill in leading complex, cross‑unit projects and integrating research into practical programming.
• Strong analytical skills for designing assessments, interpreting data, and drawing evidence‑based conclusions.
• Advanced written and verbal communication skills, including scholarly writing and presentations to both technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Ability to build and sustain strategic partnerships and to lead project teams or small groups of staff and volunteers.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple large projects, and make informed decisions within broad guidelines.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through professional level experience.
• Minimum of five years of relevant work experience or an equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• Must have the ability to obtain a driver’s license, provide own transportation, and be able to travel statewide using all modes of transportation.

• FLSA Exempt status.
• Full‑time employment (40 hours per week).
• Experience in horticulture, landscape horticulture, or related field.
• Experience with Master Gardener or similar volunteer certification programs.