Description

We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of all backgrounds and abilities. We invite you to review Colorado State University’s Principles of Community that guide our mission and vision of access, teaching, service, and engagement.

Adams County offers a variety of attractive residential choices, excellent schools, parks, greenbelts and trail systems, recreation, cultural opportunities, and an inviting quality of life. Located in the Denver metro area, Adams is the state’s 5th largest county with a population of more than 519,000 residents. Adams County is a fast-growing county, and home to the cities of Arvada, Aurora, Brighton, Commerce City, Federal Heights, Northglenn, Thornton, Westminster, the town of Bennett and unincorporated communities of Henderson, Strasburg, and Watkins. The geographical area of the county is 1,296 square miles. The eastern half of the county is agricultural, primarily cattle and dry land wheat production. Most of the county’s population lives in the western half. The urban-rural interface is home to numerous 2- to 40-acre parcels and small farms. The median household income is $71,202. The county is committed to preserving agriculture, its heritage, and open space in an urbanizing county. The county seat is the City of Brighton, and the Extension office is in Henderson in the Adams County Regional Park which also houses the Fairgrounds. The Adams County Extension office team includes: a county director; five Extension agents (who undertake programing in 4-H youth development, family consumer science, agriculture, natural resource management and horticulture); a small acreage coordinator; a horticulture technician/Master Gardener coordinator; and a communications technician. To learn more, visit the Adams County website at www.adcogov.org/ or the Adams County Extension website at https://adams.extension.colostate.edu/. To learn more about CSU Extension, visit http://extension.colostate.edu.

APPLICATION PROCESS AND DEADLINE: For full consideration, all materials must be RECEIVED no later than 11:59 PM Mountain Time on Wednesday, January 26, 2022. Please submit the following to https://jobs.colostate.edu to apply:

• Resume
• Cover letter
• Transcript of college(s) course work showing degrees conferred. Please remove all references to birth date or social security number.
• Special Required Documentation - Statement (no more than 5 pages) of how you meet all applicable “Required” and “Preferred” Job Qualifications. Please respond to each bullet point separately.

All applicants will be contacted approximately 15 working days after the deadline regarding their status. Next steps and interview dates will be shared to those moving forward. Four professional references will be requested of applicants that advance in the interview process.

For questions regarding the application process, contact the Office of Equal Opportunity at (970) 491-5836 or email oeo@colostate.edu. For questions regarding the job vacancy, responsibilities, and salary, please contact Alison O’Connor at (970) 498-6005 or Alison.OConnor@colostate.edu.

 
PURPOSE OF POSITION

This individual will provide leadership for the overall horticulture and natural resource management programs in Adams County. This individual will also collaborate with Extension specialists and utilize other Extension resources to assist agricultural producers in Adams County. They will assess community needs and interests, develop and deliver programming for both youth and adult audiences, and evaluate and report program impacts in the community and to CSU Extension. The agent will bring a proven track record of developing partnerships within the county, with communities and residents, Extension, and related industries. This person will be an experienced educator who incorporates science-based information, current research, and best practices into their programming. They will use a variety of techniques and technologies to make information and educational programs available, accessible, and of use/value to the local community. The agent may develop additional volunteer programs, networks, research or demonstration plots/gardens, partnerships, and/or events to disseminate information and engage the community.

This position will lead the Colorado Master Gardener program in Adams County and may lead other Natural Resources Management volunteer programs such as a Native Plant Master program and/or a Master Naturalist Program.

The individual in this position works as a member of the local county Extension team and as a local representative of Colorado State University. This individual works under the guidance and supervision of the Extension Director, Adams County.

 
ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

Program Planning, Development, Delivery, Evaluation, and Reporting: 75%

• Develop, market, deliver, facilitate, and evaluate non-credit educational programming in response to locally identified priority needs in home and commercial horticulture, natural resources, water, pest management, small acreages (ranchettes), agriculture, and related areas.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues to develop and deliver programming that builds life skills for both youth and adult audiences and is inclusive of rural and urban residents.
• Cooperate with or facilitate research/demonstration trials and programs.
• Provide diagnostic services (phone calls, emails, walk-ins, and/or site visits) related to horticulture, natural resources, water, pest management, small acreage management, and agriculture, and recommend safe and effective management/control options.
• Provide leadership for the Adams County Colorado Master Garden Program and natural resource management volunteers programs.
• Actively participate on Extension work teams to help focus and develop regional and statewide programs, and deliver basic and advanced horticulture training to Colorado Master Gardener candidates locally and statewide.
• Conduct field calls for residential and green industry clients.

Note: % of job assigned to this duty may be changed as the program develops.

Initiate and Develop Relationships and Partnerships: 25%

• Actively collaborate and develop highly functional networks with internal and external partners (local, state, and federal agencies; and non-profit organizations) to maximize the delivery of programs attuned to Adams County.
• Effectively communicate and develop strong working relationships with the Adams County Parks, Open Space and Cultural Arts office, Extension colleagues, county commissioners, volunteers, partners, advisory committees, and CSU administration and staff to continually assess conditions and enhance the effectiveness of local and regional programming.
• Collaborate with other groups (county departments, academic, industry, agency, etc.) in horticulture, natural resource management, and agriculture education initiatives and programs.
• Assure compliance with civil rights and affirmative action policies including reaching out to underserved and underrepresented audiences.

Note: % of job assigned to this duty may be changed as the program develops.

SALARY: The salary range for this position is $45,000 - $72,000.  Starting salary will be commensurate with education and experience.

BENEFITS: Colorado State University is committed to providing employees with a strong and competitive benefits package that supports you, your health, and your family. Visit CSU’s Human Resources website for detailed benefit plan information for permanent full-time and part-time faculty and administrative professional employees in the following University benefit areas. https://hr.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/25/2021/01/benefits-summary-afap.pdf.

Colorado State University is committed to providing an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based on race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or pregnancy in its employment, programs, services and activities, and admissions, and, in certain circumstances, marriage to a co-worker. The University will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. Colorado State University is an equal opportunity and equal access institution and affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce and complies with all Federal and Colorado State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. The Office of Equal Opportunity is located in 101 Student Services.

The Title IX Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Title IX Programs and Gender Equity, 123 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-1715, titleix@colostate.edu.

The Section 504 and ADA Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836, oeo@colostate.edu.

The Coordinator for any other forms of misconduct prohibited by the University’s Policy on Discrimination and Harassment is the Vice President for Equity, Equal Opportunity and Title IX, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, Co. 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836, oeo@colostate.edu.

Any person may report sex discrimination under Title IX to the Office of Civil Rights, Department of Education.

 

BACKGROUND CHECK: Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

Application process and additional information may be obtained at http://jobs.colostate.edu/postings/97754

Requirements

REQUIRED JOB QUALIFICATIONS:   

• Completed master’s degree conferred prior to start of employment.
• One degree must be conferred in horticulture, natural resources, environmental science, agriculture, plant pathology, entomology, or a closely related field of study.
• Demonstrated professional experience in horticulture, natural resources, water, pest management, and/or urban agriculture.
• Commitment to include diverse voices in program prioritization and planning, and a commitment to developing and delivering both inclusive and targeted programming.
• Demonstrated skill working with people as individuals and in groups; ability to provide and inspire quality customer service, and forge equitable and successful partnerships with other professionals and organizations.
• Ability to communicate through teaching, public speaking/presentation, and writing as demonstrated through application materials and experience.
• Demonstrated leadership ability; must be a self-starter.
• Demonstrated ability to engage with and build community including facilitating group interactions, managing conflict, successfully navigating difficult topics, and actively participating in county/community initiatives.
• Demonstrated use of technology in managing and delivering educational programs.
• Prior experience, training, or capacity to supervise, manage, and develop volunteers.
• Must have a valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain a driver’s license or access to a licensed driver by the employment start date.

PREFERRED JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bilingual and biliterate in Spanish.
• Demonstrated ability to manage resources, time, and effort.
• Experience in promoting, marketing, or creating public awareness of program/services among key community decision-makers.
• Experience or interest in developing community-oriented research opportunities in horticulture, natural resources, water, agriculture, and/or pest management.
• Successful experience in developing financial support for educational programs including grant writing, fundraising, or other cost recovery efforts.