Description

Bergen County Agent Ill ANR Position
 

Recruitment/ Position Title: County Agent Ill (Assistant Professor), Commercial and Consumer Ornamental Horticulture

Department: Agriculture and Natural Resources

Salary: County Agent Ill - Calendar Year (equivalent to Assistant Professor) as per current AFT/AAUP contract

Position Summary: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is seeking a community-engaged scholar to provide leadership, educational programming, and applied research-based information in commercial agricultural production, with expertise in commercial and consumer horticulture production, and in sustainable environmental, land care, and natural resource management. This is a full-time, 12- month, tenure-track faculty position at the rank of County Agent Ill (equivalent to Assistant Professor). This position is located at the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Bergen County, 1 Bergen County Plaza, Hackensack, NJ 07601.

Rutgers Cooperative Extension is committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive organization that empowers all staff to contribute toward a vision for success.

Rutgers University and the ANR Department have a strong commitment to attracting faculty from all backgrounds and providing excellence in community engagement following the Rutgers Diversity Strategic Plan (https://diversity.rutgers.edu/university­ llifill), the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences Diversity Plan https://execdeanagriculture.rutgers.edu/diversity-eguity-inclusionD, and Rutgers Cooperative Extension Diversity Equity plan

(https://njaes.rutqers.edu/extension/diversity-eguity- inclusion/rce-strategic-plan-for­ diversity-eg uity-inclusion.pdf}. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds 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, specifically in commercial and consumer horticulture and turf production and management.

Key duties and roles of this include:

•       provide leadership in assessing local needs to design, implement, and evaluate inclusive and relevant programming in commercial and consumer horticulture production and the landscape management industries
•       develop strategies and maximize the effectiveness of teaching and educational programs utilizing a variety of delivery and evaluative modalities.
•       apply community-engaged learning opportunities for clientele to increase opportunities for on-farm research and experiential learning
•       secure grants, contracts, and other external funding to support and expand programmatic outreach, leading to peer recognition.
•       coordinate, conduct, and publish the results of applied research related to adoption and practice, meeting current and projected needs.
•       establish an outstanding program, the merits of which will lead to regional and/or national recognition
•       collaborate with commercial professional green industry organizations, municipalities, land and water management agencies, and internal ANR and NJAES working groups.
•       participate in appropriate departmental, Rutgers Cooperative Extension, New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University, and County administrative functions.
•       participate in the effective operation of the RCE office in Hackensack, working within and following policies set by both the County of Bergen and Rutgers NJAES Cooperative Extension and Rutgers University
•       explore and contribute to opportunities to expand the statewide visibility and impact of Rutgers Cooperative Extension
•       participate in professional society and association activities, including leadership opportunities as appropriate

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: This position is responsible for assisting clientele in implementing and sustaining proper horticultural management techniques in commercial and consumer ornamental production and landscape settings. The successful candidate will also work with agricultural producers and commercial landscapers to support effective educational opportunities aligned with regulatory programs such as NJ DEP pesticide control, water allocation, fertilizer use, etc. This position also assists in supervision and delivery of ANR volunteer training programs within Bergen County and in the region.

Additionally

•       Ability to adapt as circumstances warrant.
•       Willingness to actively promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.
•       Demonstrated cultural sensitivity, humility, and ability to share complex information tailored to the audience.
•       Demonstrated positive interpersonal communication skills (oral and written)
•       Evidence of recent educational materials and/or methods engaging diverse populations
•       Experience working with diverse audiences and communities.
•       Experience establishing, leading, and/or serving partnerships and coalitions.
•       Possess initiative, creativity, and the ability to take direction while also working independently to meet goals and deadlines, and a willingness to learn and improve proficiency in designated subject matter areas.
•       Possess organizational skills, flexibility, and the ability to set priorities and manage multiple tasks within both office and field settings.

Minimum Education and Experience: Master's Degree from an accredited institution in horticulture, plant science, or other closely related field is required. In addition, applicants should have three years related experience after bachelor's degree.

Experience or course work in ornamental horticulture, integrated pest management, natural resource management, working with diverse audiences, and/or collaboration/coalition building are highly sought after. Bilingual fluency in Spanish is desirable.

Certifications and Licenses: Current licensure (or the ability to acquire) as a NJ Tree Expert, ISA Certified Arborist, and/or certifications from professional associations in the turf and ornamental sectors are preferred but not required. Current (or ability to acquire) a valid New Jersey driver's license, ability to successfully complete Rutgers and/or Bergen County Defensive Driving Course and other HR trainings as required.

NJDEP Pesticide Applicator's License, or the ability to acquire one within the first 18 months of hire, is also required.

Equipment Utilized: Computer, printer, and related software including but not limited to Microsoft Office suite; Email for communications and research, locally and nationally; Equipment related to programming and teaching (laptop, LCD projector, etc.); digital cameras, etc. Demonstrated computer literacy and working knowledge of current and changing electronic technology.

Physical Demands and Work Environment: Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed. Successfully and efficiently work in both office and research farm settings and field visits. Comfortable and accustomed to working in urban and rural agricultural settings.

Overview: This ANR County Agent Ill in Bergen County is expected to establish an outstanding program in commercial and consumer horticulture and landscape management, the merits of which will lead to regional and/or national recognition.

Bergen County Commercial Agriculture and Crop Production Statistics: Bergen County, the most populous county in the state, is in the northeastern corner of New Jersey. It's a highly developed suburb of New York City bordering the Hudson River. Bergen County is known for its high per-capita income and being one of the wealthiest counties in the United States. Commercial agriculture is highly diversified in Bergen County, producing a variety of ornamental plants, vegetables, and orchard fruits, along with an active agritourism sector. As of the 2022 Ag Census, 771 acres were devoted to production across 73 farms, with a market value of products sold exceeding $ 10 M. In addition, Bergen County boasts more than 9,000 acres of parks, six world-class golf courses, five outstanding colleges, and a wide range of entertainment and sports venues, including MetLife Stadium and the Meadowlands. The county contains a mix of landscapes, from highly urbanized, high-density places to quasi-rural locations and natural areas. The landscapes vary from the upland cliffs of the Palisades and the Ramapo rampart to the wetlands of the Meadowlands of the Hackensack and Passaic River valleys.

Statement: Members of the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources focus on commercial agriculture and horticulture, fisheries and aquaculture, environmental and natural resource management issues, farm business development and marketing, pesticide safety and training, integrated pest management (1PM), and other related subjects. https://njaes.rutgers.edu/anr/.

Campus: Rutgers University/ New Brunswick

Home Location Campus: Off Campus

Location Details: Rutgers NJAES Cooperative Extension of Bergen County, 1 Bergen County Plaza., Hackensack, NJ 07601.                                                                                        

Pre-employment Screenings
All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of all pre-employment screenings.

Required Documents

1.  Cover Letter/Letter of Application

2.  Curriculum Vitae/Resume

3.  List of Professional References (Contact Info)

4.  Personal Statement on Teaching, Extension Practice, and Service

5.  Statement of Values: Provide a statement that describes examples of your experiences in leadership, mentoring, and/or community engagement that resonate with the values and mission of Rutgers University as a land grant university serving a diverse state and student body.

6.  Copy of Unofficial Transcripts

Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity  Statement
It is university policy to provide equal employment opportunity to all its employees and applicants for employment regardless of their race, creed, color, national origin, age, ancestry, nationality, marital or domestic partnership or civil union status, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, disability status,

liability for military service, protected veteran status, affectional or sexual orientation, atypical cellular or blood trait, genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing), or any other category protected by law. As an institution, we value diversity of background and opinion and prohibit discrimination or harassment based on any legally protected class in the areas of hiring, recruitment, promotion, transfer, demotion, training, compensation, pay, fringe benefits, layoff, termination or any other terms and conditions of employment. For additional information please see the Non­ Discrimination Statement at the following web address: http://uhr.rutgers.edu!non­ discrimination-statement.

Search committee members:

Amy Rowe, PhD, ANR Associate Professor, Chair and Diversity Advocate Alyssa Glynn, 4-H Program Associate, CEDH

Bill Sciarappa, PhD, ANR Associate Professor

Michele Bakacs, ANR Associate Professor Jason Grabosky, DEENR Professor

Jim Spollen, Bergen County NJAES Board of Managers rep, nellops@optonline.net Darryl Secor, Bergen County Board of Agriculture rep, secorfarm168@aol.com (Emily Secor, backup)

Nick Polanin, ex-officio