DEPARTMENT OF PLANT SCIENCE

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

Position: Sustainable Agriculture Educator funded by Northeast SARE

Title: Assistant Cooperative Extension Educator in Residence

The University of Connecticut’s Department of Plant Science invites applications for a full-time faculty position at the rank of Assistant Cooperative Extension Educator in Residence in the area of Sustainable Agriculture. This position is funded through a grant from the USDA Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Northeast Regional program. The position is non-tenure track and renewable annually with the expectation of long-term funding based on performance.

Responsibilities: The successful candidate will work closely with the regional coordinator for the professional development program (PDP) at Northeast SARE. The overall duty will be to assist the PDP coordinator in the creation and maintenance of an educational and professional development program about Northeast SARE for extension educators and other agricultural service providers. Specific duties include: develop, organize and deliver workshops, seminars and field tours for professional development of state coordinators of SARE sustainable agriculture programs on a broad range of topics such as adult education, program evaluation, and technical topics; develop and deliver workshops and seminars about the SARE program to the agricultural community in the Northeast; develop fact sheets and educational materials for use by state coordinators, SARE staff and agricultural service providers; facilitate communication among state coordinators, SARE staff and the SARE Administrative Council; coordinate and participate in evaluation of state sustainable agriculture proposals; assist state coordinators to revise proposals and project reports; maintain a website about SARE professional development activities. Substantial overnight travel within the Northeast region is required.

Qualifications: M.S. degree in agriculture, biology, or a related discipline, or a Master’s degree in education with experience working in agriculture; minimum one-year experience working in sustainable agriculture or two years minimum experience if Master’s degree is in education. Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and effectively with agricultural service providers, and to work independently; ability to assume a leadership role; meet deadlines and manage projects. Knowledge about program evaluation is desirable.

Availability: Position available immediately. Screening of applicants will begin April 10, 2008 and continue until an appointment is made.

Salary and Benefits: Salary is negotiable and commensurate with training and experience.

Applications: Applicants should submit a one-page letter of application telling why you applied to this position, curriculum vitae, transcripts, and names and e-mail addresses of three people for letters of recommendation to: Thomas F. Morris, SARE Search Committee Chair, Department of Plant Science, Unit 4067, University of Connecticut, 1376 Storrs Road, Storrs, CT 06269-4067; voice 860-486-0637; fax 860-486-0682; e-mail, thomas.morris@uconn.edu. E-mail applications preferred. We encourage applications from under-represented groups including minorities, women, and people with disabilities.