County Agent III (Assistant Professor) Animal Agriculture – Warren County

Posted: 04-Feb-24

Location: New Brunswick, New Jersey

Salary: Open

Categories:

Academic/Faculty
Agricultural Sciences

Internal Number: 192590

Position Summary:

Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, is searching for a community-engaged scholar to provide county and regional leadership, educational programming, and applied research-based expertise in animal agriculture. This 12-month, 100% Extension-funded tenure-track position, to be housed at the Warren County office of Rutgers Cooperative Extension in Belvidere, NJ, offers an exciting opportunity for developing new strategic and innovative initiatives in commercial agriculture sustainability.
Rutgers University and the ANR Department have a strong commitment to attracting diverse faculty and providing excellence in community engagement in accordance with the Rutgers Diversity Strategic Plan (https://diversity.rutgers.edu/university-plan ) and the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences Diversity Plan https://execdeanagriculture.rutgers.edu/diversity-equity-inclusion/ ); we encourage candidates from diverse, underrepresented communities to apply.
Reporting to the Chair of the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, this position will provide county and regional leadership and collaboration across working groups, stakeholders, and Extension Departments and Specialists in animal agriculture, specifically small ruminant livestock for commercial producers and new and beginning farmers:

• Provide leadership for a collaborative, multidisciplinary state-of-the-art program
• Provide leadership for educational and development activities
• Provide support to commercial producers to improve the sustainability of their industries
• Identify and expand efforts to include new and emerging crops and issues such as soil health, ag viability, and climate resiliency (weed management, for example).
• Provide support for all ANR and RCE in determining research and programmatic needs across the state and will communicate and interact with commodity groups to evaluate the needs of clientele
• Actively promote diversity, equity, and inclusion through outreach, engagement, and recruitment efforts both internally (colleagues and students) and externally (growers and stakeholders).

Located in the northwest corner of the state, the County of Warren occupies an area of 364.55 square miles and ranks ninth in area and 19th in population among New Jersey’s 21 counties. Within the county is some of the most rugged and scenic terrain found in the state. Fertile valleys have enabled the county to become an important agricultural district in the Garden State. According to the 2017 US Census of Agriculture, Warren County has 918 farms covering nearly 74,000 acres with 70% of 49 acres in size or less. Warren County ranked No. 1 in NJ for agricultural production in Christmas trees and livestock, poultry, and related products; No. 2 statewide in grains; No. 3 in cattle and calves, sheep, and aquaculture; and No. 5 in nursery, greenhouse, floriculture, sod, and hay. Family farms comprise 97% of all farms, with 18% selling directly to consumers. Of the nearly 1,500 producers answering the census, 331 (~22%) identify themselves as new and beginning farmers.
Cooperative efforts with Extension Specialists, faculty colleagues, fellow ANR faculty and staff include:

• Development of educational materials, production guides, and recommendations, etc.
• Completing on-farm consultations, virtual and in-person meetings, conducting demonstrations, and/or participating in ongoing field research.
• Encourage the adoption of new technologies and techniques in commercial animal agriculture
• Collaborate with other researchers at Rutgers and across the region and commodity sectors in multidisciplinary projects
• In a team approach, strategize and develop multidisciplinary program components, exploring current and future needs of the industry to develop new educational programs and outreach efforts

Salary for this position is $87,577.00.
ANR faculty are expected to demonstrate excellence in extension practice, teaching, and service. Key duties include assessing local needs to design, implement, and evaluate relevant programs, especially programs that promote and support overall nutrition, health and chronic disease prevention. Additional duties include developing strategies and maximizing the effectiveness of relevant educational programs utilizing a variety of delivery modes in collaboration with community organizations and stakeholders. It is an expectation of RCE leadership that all county-based faculty positively contribute to the successful and collegial operation of the county office.
See below for further details.

Minimum Education and Experience:

Candidate must demonstrate excellence in written, oral, interpersonal, and information technology communication skills. The candidate should have a deep understanding of animal agriculture, specifically small ruminant livestock and be able to design and implement a program that responds to commodity and grower strengths, assets, and needs, the results of which would lead to regional and national recognition. There is an expectation for outreach to a diverse population and an inclusive approach to engagement. Position requirements include:

• A Master’s Degree is required from an accredited institution in animal science or a related field.
• Course work or experience in agronomy is preferred, but not required.
• A minimum of three years of relevant work experience, with demonstrated ability and skill in educational program planning, applied research implementation, and evaluation
• Familiarity with commercial livestock production systems
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with a diverse statewide team, growers and stakeholders, and colleagues
• Experience in managerial skills and evidence of effective interpersonal communication skills
• Experience in public speaking and written business-level communication
• Initiative and creativity – the ability to start and complete a project with minimal supervision; self-directed
• Local and regional travel is required; personal or county vehicle is available

City: Belvidere

State: NJ

Equipment Utilized:

Computer Literacy including the Microsoft Office Suite and working knowledge of current and changing electronic technology.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

Ability to work nights and weekends as program needs require. Must be able to lift 25 lbs., and travel throughout the county and region to provide on-site programming as needed. Accessibility to RCE and regional colleagues for in-person meetings and collaborations.

Posting Number: 23FA0125

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About Rutgers University
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is a leading national public research university and the state’s preeminent, comprehensive public institution of higher education. Rutgers is dedicated to teaching that meets the highest standards of excellence; to conducting research that breaks new ground; and to turning knowledge into solutions for local, national, and global communities. As it was at our founding in 1766, the heart of our mission is preparing students to become productive members of society and good citizens of the world. Rutgers teaches across the full educational spectrum: preschool to precollege; undergraduate to graduate and postdoctoral; and continuing education for professional and personal advancement. Rutgers is New Jersey’s land-grant institution and one of the nation’s foremost research universities, and as such, we educate, make discoveries, serve as an engine of economic growth, and generate ideas for improving people’s lives.
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