Associate in Extension, Horticulture; Yuma, AZ

Associate in Extension, Horticulture (Yuma, AZ)

Posting #: req
26406. Department:
Yuma County Office.

Location:

Yuma, AZ. Visa sponsorship not available.

The Horticulture program provides education and support for selecting, growing, and caring for horticultural and landscape plants in the Southwest desert, with a focus on vegetable crops. The program utilizes a greenhouse, two demonstration gardens, workshops, classes, tours, clinics, and a Master Gardener course to provide information and education. The role assists with the Master Gardener course and other educational initiatives.

• 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.
  • 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.
• Knowledge,
  
  Skills and Abilities
  
  
  • 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 professional-level experience.
• Minimum of five (5) years of relevant work experience, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• Must have the ability to obtain a driver’s license, provide own transportation, travel statewide by all modes of transportation, and comply with the University Fleet Safety Policy.

Full benefits package including health, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, paid vacation, sick leave, holidays, tuition reduction for employees and qualified family members, retirement plans, and access to university recreation and cultural activities.