Small Fruit Extension Educator III

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Job Summary

The Small Fruit Extension Educator III develops Extension educational programing and publications and conducts applied research to meet the needs of berry growers statewide and to enhance the economic, human, and environmental health and sustainability of the fruit industry in Massachusetts. Provides research-based information, publications and programs in the areas of small fruit production, cropping systems and diversification, crop health, and Integrated Pest Management.

Essential Functions

• Collaborates in the preparation, editing, layout and publication of research-based educational materials such as newsletters, guides, fact sheets, and articles, including 'Healthy Fruit' newsletter and regional Management Guides e.g. The Strawberry Production Guide for the Northeast and the New England Small Fruit Management Guide.
• Develops, organizes and teaches educational programs and provides research-based information to farmers and other clientele regarding berry production practices including Integrated Pest Management (IPM), invasive pest management, innovative production systems, high tunnel fruit production/season extension, pollinator protection, and other topics in response to emerging needs. Respond to crop management inquiries from fruit growers and other stakeholders regarding arthropod pests, plant pathogens, weeds, and production issues.
• Works directly with growers to teach and evaluate production and IPM practices, and to improve understanding and implementation of integrated pest and crop management on MA farms. Participates with Extension and other staff and clientele in fruit and cross-commodity collaborative programming with statewide and regional impact.
• Plans and conducts applied research and/or scholarly or creative activity to meet emerging needs of berry producers. Develops and implements experiments, demonstration trials and projects in collaboration with supervisor and other Extension faculty or staff in the areas of berry production and integrated pest management.
• Conducts or supervises general plot maintenance (including pesticide treatments) at the UMass Cold Spring Orchard Research & Education Center and other research locations. Communicates with and visit growers to manage on-farm projects. Manages data collection and data analysis, and prepares related reports, articles, and educational materials for Extension and scholarly publications.
• Conducts needs assessments, develops program objectives, designs delivery methods and develops evaluation procedures in collaboration with supervisor and other Extension Faculty and Staff. Conducts periodic evaluations of program effectiveness. Uses evaluations to inform future programs. Develops relationships with agricultural businesses, producers, consumers, grower associations, advisory committees, research centers, non-profits, and related agencies to assess conditions, needs, and strategies to achieve program goals and measure desired outcomes.
• Seeks out and manages external funding from services, competitive grants, and other sources to support programming efforts in collaboration with supervisors, program team members, and other Extension staff in MA and across the region. Participates in overall Fruit Program management, including staff coordination and evaluation, reporting and financial administration. Participates in short- and long-range planning.
• Determines need for temporary staff and/or volunteers and prepare job descriptions. Collaborates in recruiting and training. Supervise, support, evaluate and recognize volunteers and/or student and paraprofessional employees.
• Maintains and increases personal and professional competence through participation in in-service training, professional association activities, and continuing education. Prepares and implements a professional development plan.
• Represents UMass Extension at the campus, regional or state level in routine matters of organization and procedure relating to the Fruit Program.

Other Functions

• Works collaboratively and effectively to promote teamwork, diversity, equality and inclusiveness.
• Works in partnership with colleagues within the CNS community and across the campus to support the Dean's strategic priorities.
• Performs other duties as assigned in support of the mission and goals of the College of Natural Sciences.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Master's degree in biological, horticultural or agricultural science.
• Three (3) years (growing seasons) of relevant field experience required.
  
  
  
  • Experience can be as part of Graduate Degree work.
  • Familiarity with small fruit production and Integrated Pest Management in New England.
  
  
  
  
• A valid driver's license.
• Experience designing, delivering and evaluating Extension programming.
• Demonstrated professional working relationships with agricultural groups, farmers, non-profits, government agencies, and/or other groups related to the position.
• Ability to use computers and software for word processing, data management and analysis, web design, social media, publications and electronic communications.
• Ability to work independently to organize multiple tasks and set priorities for action, take initiative, be creative, and operate with self-direction in a fast-paced office environment.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to interact effectively and work productively in establishing and maintaining harmonious working relationships with a diverse population of staff and students.
• Ability to organize and prioritize goals; ability to collaborate well to formulate plans and objectives in accordance with overall college goals; ability to identify and implement process improvements.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and to set and meet deadlines while maintaining high standards of accuracy and quality.

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• MA Pesticide Commercial Certification - Research and Demonstration (Cat. 49), Tree Fruit (Cat. 25) or Small Fruit (Cat. 27).

Additional Details

• This is a grant-funded 24-month position that may be extended pending additional funding.

Work Schedule

• Monday - Friday, some weekends.
• 37.5 hours per week.

Salary Information

Level 27

PSU Hiring Ranges

Special Instructions to Applicants

Along with the application, please submit a resume, cover letter, and a Contributions to Inclusive Excellence Statement (see below). References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references. Applications will be reviewed on a continuous basis until the position is filled. Early submissions are encouraged.

At UMass Amherst and in CNS, we strive to be a community where every individual feels a sense of belonging, where every individual is included, and where every individual is valued. You can find these values and goals here: https://www.umass.edu/strategicplan/strategic-plan. For this reason, we request that all applicants submit a Contributions to Inclusive Excellence Statement that addresses how you see yourself contributing to our community and campus climate and/or our shared goals of building a more inclusive, equitable, and diverse community.

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.