Assistant Extension Specialist

Consumer Horticulture

Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources

Oklahoma State University – Stillwater, Oklahoma

The Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture at Oklahoma State University (OSU) invites applications for an 11-month, career-track Assistant Extension Specialist position (100% Extension) in Consumer Horticulture. This position carries the expectation of excellence in Extension, commensurate with the land grant mission of Oklahoma State University.

Position Description

This career-track position will focus on community, homeowner, and commercial horticulture Extension programming and will provide direct assistance to agriculture and natural resources Extension educators throughout Oklahoma. This position will provide horticultural programming and assistance to Extension educators who serve all 77 Oklahoma counties. This position will develop an innovative OSU Extension volunteer horticulture information center/program to effectively respond to calls, emails, social media and internet-based inquiries, and “ask Extension” inquiries related to all horticultural topics. The horticulture information center/program will provide unbiased, research-based information related to consumer horticulture topics and inquiries. Collaboration with Master Gardener personnel and volunteers will be important. In summary, this position will work to develop an OSU Extension horticulture information center/program to effectively respond to routine consumer horticulture inquiries, assist county Extension educators with horticulture related topics, and provide consumer horticulture in-service education and training for county Extension educators.

The candidate will be expected to develop and document scholarship related to the outcomes and impacts of their Extension program. They will be expected to develop and disseminate OSU Extension resources, including peer-reviewed Extension publications. The candidate will update, revise or create OSU Extension fact sheets and revise Extension educator handbook sections pertaining to consumer horticulture. The candidate will provide expertise to county Extension educators and the public via phone calls, emails, letters, virtual and in-person, plus join county Extension educators with site visits as needed. The candidate will assist with coordination of consumer horticulture workshops and/or field days. The candidate will assist with developing independent segments and will appear as a guest on the Oklahoma Gardening television show covering consumer horticulture topics. The candidate will write articles for the monthly Horticulture Tips email newsletter and will deliver in-service horticulture Extension training. Creative use of tools such as artificial intelligence and social media are encouraged.

The successful candidate will contribute to the OSU community through service opportunities, such as periodically serving on Department, Division, and/or University committees. The candidate will work cooperatively with OSU faculty and staff and serve as a member of the OSU consumer horticulture team. Regular engagement in professional development opportunities and activities will be expected as well as completion of all required Departmental, Division, and/or University level required annual trainings. Within six months of hire, the candidate will be expected to obtain the state pesticide applicator certification in category 10 (Demonstration and Research). This will allow the candidate to work with Extension educators and the public to teach proper pesticide selection, handling, mixing, loading, use, as well as proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

Qualifications

Required: A Master’s degree in Horticulture, Crop Science, Agronomy, Plant Science or a closely related discipline is required by the time of hire. A minimum of two years of related experience in Cooperative Extension or the consumer horticulture industry, program management and/or leadership experience, formal or informal teaching experience, and experience working with other Extension professionals, scientists, industry partners, and the public is required. The ability to use traditional and innovative techniques for Extension program delivery is required. Demonstration of the ability to effectively lead a team as well as contribute as a team member is required.

Preferred: A PhD degree in Horticulture, Crop Science, Agronomy, Plant Science or a closely related discipline is preferred. The PhD degree is required for consideration of advancement through the OSU Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources career-track faculty promotion system. A minimum of five years of related experience in Cooperative Extension or the consumer horticulture industry, program management and/or leadership experience, formal or informal teaching experience, and experience working with other Extension professionals, scientists, industry partners, and the public is preferred. Experience serving as a PI or co-PI of extramural, competitive grant projects, evidence of Extension, research, and scholarly output; communication and leadership skills; and interpersonal skills is preferred.

Employment Conditions

Review of applications will begin April 1, 2025. For full consideration, please submit all application materials before April 1, 2025. Review of applications will continue until a suitable candidate is identified. Salary and benefits are competitive and commensurate with education, training, and experience. There are lots of great reasons to work at OSU. Check out our competitive benefits and eligibility at https://hr.okstate.edu/prospective-ee.html.

The position is available July 1, 2025 or as soon thereafter the selected candidate is available. Candidates who will complete the degree requirements for the Master’s degree by August 2025 are encouraged to apply. Three years of funding is committed; continuation of employment is based upon need, performance and available funding.

About The Department

The Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture has 23 faculty and has both undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The department operates The Botanic Garden at OSU, Oklahoma Gardening television show, the Greenhouse Learning Center, the Landscape Architecture Studio, the OSU Student Farm, and is active at several research sites through the Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station. For more information about the department, go to: https://agriculture.okstate.edu/departments-programs/hla/

Application Procedure

To apply, candidates should submit: (a) a letter of application describing how their academic preparation and experience qualify them for this career track faculty position, including a discussion of Extension related background, experience, and philosophy; (b) a curriculum vitae or resume; (c) official or unofficial graduate transcript (d) names and contact information of three professional references. Questions may be directed to David Hillock, Chair of the Search Committee at david.hillock@okstate.edu or 405-744-5158.

Formal applications must be submitted electronically to https://jobs.okstate.edu by searching for req19201.

To learn more about OSU Agriculture and Stillwater, visit these websites:

https://agriculture.okstate.edu

https://agresearch.okstate.edu

https://extension.okstate.edu

https://www.okstate.edu

https://www.visitstillwater.org

https://www.stillwaterchamber.org

Equal Employment Opportunity

Oklahoma State University, as an equal opportunity employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding non-discrimination. Oklahoma State University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all individuals and does not discriminate based on race, religion, age, sex, color, national origin, marital status, disability, or veteran status with regard to employment, educational programs and activities, and/or admissions. For more information, visit https:///eeo.okstate.edu.

Oklahoma State University

New Jobs

Assistant Extension Specialist