Warren County-County Agent III
County Agent III (Assistant Professor) Animal Agriculture & Agronomy – Warren County
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, pasture management, and agronomy. 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/), which is why 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, pasture management, and agronomy, specifically for commercial producers:
- 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).
Posting Summary
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
- Program areas include sustainable agriculture, alternative cropping systems, and ag technologies.
Minimum Education and Experience
- A Master’s Degree is required from an accredited institution in animal science, agronomy, crop science, weed science, or a related field.
- 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
Certifications/Licenses
A valid New Jersey driver’s license, or the ability to obtain one within 9 months of hire, and the ability to successfully complete Rutgers and County of Warren Defensive Driving Courses, and other HR training as required.
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- Coordinate, conduct, and publish the results of applied research related to adoption and practice, meeting current and projected needs
- Explore and implement programs that lead to knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors that will improve the viability of commercial agriculture industries
- Garner external funding to support and expand programmatic outreach, leading to peer recognition
- Document effective changes for the sustainability of animal agricultural industries in NJ
- Create, deliver, and evaluate programs for professional and grower audiences using both direct and indirect methods and a variety of delivery methods.
- Apply community-engaged learning opportunities for students and interns. Responsibilities may include engaging with Rutgers faculty, staff, and students (graduate and undergraduate) to increase opportunities for on-farm research and experiential learning at our research farms. Includes recruitment, training, supervising, and supporting University efforts to expand opportunities for hands-on, real-world experience (field trips, lectures, etc.)
- Contribute to the effective and collegial operation and impact of the assigned Extension office.
- Serve as an information resource to clientele, partners, and Extension colleagues
- Establish productive working relationships with scientists and extension personnel in other states.
- Participate in appropriate ANR Department, Cooperative Extension, and University committees or working groups.
- Actively explore and contribute to opportunities to expand the statewide visibility and impact of Rutgers Cooperative Extension.
- Participate in professional society activities including presenting papers at national and international meetings.
- Ability to adapt as circumstances warranted.
- Willingness to actively promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Demonstrated cultural sensitivity and humility, and ability to share complex information in a manner tailored to the audience.
- Experience working with diverse audiences and communities
- Experience establishing, leading, and/or serving partnerships and coalitions
- Demonstrated computer literacy – Microsoft Office and other Windows software, Zoom, Qualtrics, Microsoft Teams, etc.
- Flexibility – the ability to work daytime, evenings, and weekends, as needed.
- Experience and/or coursework in conducting community needs assessments, grant writing and grant management, and applied research
The Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources serves the residents of New Jersey through the development and dissemination of research-based information. Our goal is to teach people new skills and information so they can make better-informed decisions and changes in themselves, their businesses, and their personal lives. Our work with commercial clientele and governmental agencies is intended to improve public understanding of the relationship between agriculture and open space and the general economic and environmental vitality of the state. Our programs focus on commercial agriculture and horticulture, fisheries and aquaculture, environmental and resource management issues, farm business development and marketing, pesticide safety and training, integrated pest management (IPM), and other related subjects.
Rutgers University and the ANR Department have a strong interest in attracting diverse faculty and providing excellence in community engagement in accordance with the Rutgers Diversity Strategic Plan (https://diversity.rutgers.edu/university-plan) which is why we encourage candidates from diverse, underrepresented communities to apply.