Assistant Professor (Practice) – General Agriculture

The Division of Extension and Engagement and the Extension Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources Program invite applications for a full-time (1.00 FTE), 12-month, fixed-term, Assistant Professor of Practice. This position will serve Lake County. Reappointment is at the discretion of the Regional Director, Program Leader, and Department Head.

This fixed-term Assistant Professor of Practice position is based at the Oregon State University (OSU) Extension Service Lake County Office in Lakeview, Oregon. The academic home for this position will be in the Department of Crop and Soil Science or the Department of Animal and Rangeland Sciences in the College of Agricultural Sciences at Oregon State University depending on expertise of candidate. The academic home must be designated within six (6) months of the start date. This position reports to the Regional Director assigned to the Southern region. Decisions regarding this position are made in consultation with the supervision team which includes the Regional Director, Department Head, and the Extension Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources Program Leader. Active contributions to scholarly outcomes are required (refer to the scholarship section, below, for details).

As a land grant institution committed to teaching, research and outreach and engagement, OSU promotes economic, social, cultural and environmental progress for the people of Oregon, the nation and the world. This position contributes to the mission of the College of Agricultural Sciences, with principal responsibility for needs assessment, Extension program and educational material development, delivery, and evaluation, and for conducting applied research to support Extension activities.

The purpose of this position is to provide programmatic leadership for Extension programs in agriculture and natural resources in the Lake County region.

Oregon State University is committed to practicing and delivery of tools for state-of-the-science interaction and engagement of partners and stakeholders. This faculty member is required to use modern learning and outreach tools including online and hybrid classes, multimedia and digital communications, employ and practice engaged scholarship, promote integration of programs across disciplines that are demand-driven and use open-source tools that continually align with innovation and shifts in educational program delivery. These activities will be included in the annual plan of work, impact statements, and summary of accomplishments/achievements.

Active and effective communication with colleagues and key stakeholders is critical to the success of this position. This position will require traveling.

College of Agricultural Sciences faculty are committed to enhancing student/learner success by engaging them in quality academic, research, internships, global studies, and other experiential learning opportunities. Positions with primary responsibility for Extension and Engagement are likewise committed to student/learner success through programming appropriate for diverse audiences.

About Lake County:Lake County is rural, sparsely populated, and geographically large. The major economic enterprises for Lake County are cattle ranching, timber, and irrigated hay. The Extension Lake County Office is located in Lakeview, Oregon. Lakeview is a high desert community situated at the base of the Warner Mountains with a population of 3,000. Lakeview is 300 miles southeast of the main campus of Corvallis and a significant distance from a metropolitan area. For information on Lake County, visit the Oregon Explorer: https://oregonexplorer.info/.

About the division:The Division of Extension and Engagement (Division) is core to Oregon State University’s mission. The Division helps create real solutions and positive impact across Oregon and beyond. The Division is aligned under the leadership of the Vice Provost for Extension and Engagement. To learn more about our Division and its core units and initiatives, please visit our Division website: https://engagement.oregonstate.edu/.

The Division has built the capacity and expectation for employees to use digital communications and technologies in the modern-day workplace. This reflects our demonstrable commitment to using digital communications tools and changing technologies as a primary way to raise Oregonian’s awareness of and engagement with our organization, programs and resources.

Commitment to inclusive excellence:Oregon State University is committed to creating and maintaining compassionate and inclusive learning and working environments for all learners, visitors and employees. We envision collaborative community environments that enhance civility and embrace diversity. All employees are responsible for achieving this commitment. This commitment includes, but is not limited to, complying with Civil Rights and Language/Visual Access regulations. In addition, this individual will design, develop, maintain and/or carry out Extension programs to ensure that educational programs, online materials and outreach activities serve diverse populations, including those that have been historically marginalized/excluded from participation.

OSU Division of Extension and Engagement’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusionhttps://extension.oregonstate.edu/about/diversity-equity-inclusion

OSU Moving Forward Togetherhttps://leadership.oregonstate.edu/president/moving-forward-together

What you will need

• Master’s degree in animal sciences, rangeland sciences, natural resources, agriculture, or closely related field. Degree must be completed by start date.
• Demonstrated teaching (formal and/or informal) skills that are appropriate for adult learners and volunteers.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity and inclusion.
• Must have or be able to obtain an Oregon Department of Agriculture Pesticide Consultant License within six months of employment and maintain the license throughout employment.
• Practical knowledge of beef cattle, irrigated forage, and/or arid-climate rangeland production systems.
• Knowledge and ability to use computers, including proficiency with information technology, professional office software, and collaborative work platforms.
• Ability to learn and adapt to using multiple forms of digital communications tools and systems, including websites, email newsletters, social media, and other tools in a changing technological environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work as a team member.
• Ability to lead groups.
• Ability to plan, organize, manage, and evaluate, non-formal education programs.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and evidence of successful time management skills.

This position is designated as a critical or security-sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a criminal history check and be determined to be position qualified as per University Standard: 05-010 et seq. Incumbents are required to self-report convictions and those in youth programs may have additional criminal history checks every 24 months.

This position requires driving a university vehicle or a personal vehicle on behalf of the university; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a motor vehicle history check, possess and maintain a current, valid driver’s license in their state of residence, be determined to be position qualified and self-report convictions as per University Policy 05-030.

What we want you to have

• Doctoral degree in animal sciences, rangeland sciences, natural resources, agriculture, or closely related field.
• Experience delivering Extension or other informal or community education.
• Demonstrated understanding of needs and impact assessment techniques and their application to Extension programs and services.
• Demonstrated experience delivering digital engagement strategies, including use of online content, multimedia, email campaigns, customer relationship management systems or marketing methods.
• Experience with advisory committees.
• Experience securing external funding support for educational and/or research programs.
• Experience working with or advising farmers or ranchers.
• Experience working with public or government land management agencies.