The Sustainable Agriculture and Ornamental Horticulture Educator with the University of Maine Cooperative Extension will have a two-fold focus involving research and programming in 1) commercial agriculture in York County, and 2) ornamental horticulture on a statewide basis. Commercial agriculture in Maine has a diversity of agricultural enterprises including vegetables, small fruits, apples and other tree fruit, dairy, beef, sheep and other livestock. Programming may include areas such as on-farm climate adaptation, IPM, farm business management, farm machinery and safety, livestock production, horticulture and related topics. Educational programming will often be done in partnership with county-based colleagues and statewide specialists within Cooperative Extension. In support of Maine's Ornamental Horticulture Industry, the Educator will provide regional and statewide visionary leadership for research and program initiatives in support of the ornamental horticulture industry. The position will conduct applied research and scholarship in collaboration with colleagues within Cooperative Extension, University of Maine and other relevant entities.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Designs, implements, evaluates and communicates to stakeholders a Plan of Work that aligns with the University of Maine Cooperative Extension mission and addresses high priority issues in the Maine Food System specifically, sustainable agriculture and ornamental horticulture.
• Oversees program development, coordination, teaching and evaluation for sustainable agriculture and ornamental horticulture programming. This programming will use sound Extension methods and draws on the research base of the land-grant university and other credible sources of information that will enhance the knowledge and skills of community members, industry partners and the academic community.
• Collaborates and provides leadership with appropriate statewide Extension Program Leadership Teams.
• Provides content area support for the Master Gardener Volunteers program serving York County and statewide in support of ornamental horticulture issues.
• Responds to commercial horticulture requests for information and resources for York County and as part of the statewide home horticulture team.
• Seeks and acquires external funding to support applied research and scholarly work; effectively manages ongoing grants, contracts and special funds.
• Leads the team hosting the annual Flowering in The North Conference.
• Collaborates with the Ornamental Horticulture Specialist based in Orono to address issues of statewide importance.
• Builds and sustains relationships and collaborates with community partners, colleagues in Cooperative Extension, faculty and staff from other UMaine academic departments, and faculty and staff throughout regional University systems with an emphasis on exploring partnerships with faculty and staff at UMaine Machias.
• Engages in applied research and disseminates the results. Partners as necessary and appropriate with fellow staff and colleagues.
• Interprets research findings on agriculture and ornamental horticulture to incorporate into work with program teams and advisory groups.
• Designs and delivers workshops, short courses, newsletters, fact sheets, videos and other electronic media that enhance client knowledge.
• Provides timely and accurate information in response to public requests for information.
• Communicates outcomes, impacts, and public values to a variety of audiences (including legislators, funders, consumers and other decision makers).
• Compiles and submits reports as requested or required (Civil Rights, Program Impact and Plan-of-Work).
• Seeks ways to reach underserved and under-represented community members while ensuring compliance with affirmative action, equal opportunity and civil rights guidelines.
• Hires, trains, and supervises professionals, hourly and/or student employees as appropriate, including conducting or participating in required performance evaluations and providing safety and environmental management oversight.
• Assists in obtaining county funds to support the York County office.
• Participates in UMaine Extension York County staff and Extension Association meetings as a member of the county staff as appropriate.
• Contributes skills and insights for effective office management in collaboration with co-workers. Serves as county coordinator and executive committee liaison on a rotating basis.
• Utilizes coaching and mentoring methods to create an environment that is anticipatory, supportive and encourages constructive feedback on performance.
• Develops and maintains professional relationships that reflect courtesy, civility and mutual respect.
• Commits to organizational improvement by identifying opportunities to improve and recommending possible alternatives.
• Performs other reasonably related duties as assigned.

About the University:
The University of Maine is a community of more than 11,900 undergraduate and graduate students, and 2,500 employees located on the Orono campus, the regional campus in Machias, and throughout the state. UMaine is a land, sea and space grant university, and maintains a leadership role as the University of Maine System's flagship institution. UMaine is the state's public research university and a Carnegie R1 top-tier research institution, dedicated to providing excellent teaching, research and service for Maine, the nation and the world. More information about UMaine is at umaine.edu .
The University of Maine offers a wide range of benefits for employees including, but not limited to, tuition benefits (employee and dependent), comprehensive insurance coverage including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and short and long term disability as well as retirement plan options. As a former NSF ADVANCE institution, the University of Maine is committed to diversity in our workforce and to dual-career couples.
Qualifications:
Required:

• Master's Degree with a focus in agriculture, horticulture or closely related discipline.
• Approximately 3-5 years of experience working in agriculture or horticulture.
• Experience in agriculture / horticulture programming and research.
• Knowledge of Maine's Ornamental Horticulture Industry.
• Ability to plan, organize, coordinate, teach and evaluate educational programs for adult audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to acquire external funding.
• Demonstrated computer and educational technology skills.
• Ability to creatively solve problems and manage conflicts within groups.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work in a team environment.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills with the ability to articulate clear goals.
• Ability to work both independently and as a productive member of a team.
• Evidence of understanding of and work in diversity, equity and inclusion as well as applying cultural competent practices.
• Work schedule flexibility to meet client and student needs.
• Ability to travel both in- and out-of-state, usually requiring a valid driver's license with reimbursement at the contract rate.

Preferred:

• Experience with Cooperative Extension educational program development, delivery and evaluation.
• Experience implementing programming using collaborative adult partnerships.
• Experience working with volunteers.
• Working knowledge of Cooperative Extension agriculture programming.
• Knowledge of or experience in grant writing.
• Knowledge and experience with Institutional Review Boards.
• Demonstrated experience with applied research and community needs assessment.
• Demonstrated experience working with diverse audiences and knowledge of equal opportunity, affirmative action and civil rights policies.
• Demonstrated successful supervisory experience.

Other Information:
Materials must be submitted via "Apply For Position" below. You will need to create a profile and application; upload:
1.) a cover letter which describes your experience, interests, and suitability for the position
2.) a resume/curriculum vitae
3.) contact information for three professional references
You will also need to submit the affirmative action survey, the self-identification of disability form, and the self-identification of veteran status forms. Incomplete application materials cannot be considered. Materials received after the initial review date will be reviewed at the discretion of the University.
Search Timeline is as follows:
Review of applications to begin: June 5, 2023
Interviews to begin no earlier than: June 19, 2023
Tentative start date: July 17, 2023
For questions about the search, please contact search committee chair; David Handley; david.handley@maine.edu .
The successful applicant is subject to appropriate background screening.
In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 5748 Boudreau Hall, Room 101, Orono, ME 04469-5754, 207-581-1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).
Length:

Fiscal Year (12 Months)
Required Documents:

Cover Letter, References, Resume/CV