GROW Content & Outreach Specialist
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Job no: 530465
Work type: Administrative & Professional
Senior management: Agriculture & Life Sciences
Department: School of Plant & Environmental Sci
Location: Blacksburg, Virginia
Categories: Agriculture / Life Science
GROW (Getting Rid of Weeds) is a scientist-led network coordinating and promoting research on integrated weed management (IWM) strategies, to help farmers build more sustainable farms. The organization’s website is an industry-wide resource for the ag community for up-to-date, tested, and vetted resources on weed control tools such as cover crops, increased crop competition, harvest weed seed control and more. GROW has recently expanded to manage the outreach and communications for Take Action, a long-trusted, soybean checkoff-funded resource on managing herbicides responsibly to fight herbicide resistance. GROW also partners closely with the Precision Sustainable Agriculture (PSA) network, a coalition of scientists and engineers working to translate data and research into tools that help growers farm more sustainably.
Our growing communications and outreach team produces weekly content on integrated weed management and precision agriculture to educate farmers, while constantly updating and refining our website resources, maintaining a strong social media brand and traveling to farms and conferences to maintain a strong industry presence.
GROW is looking for a science communicator with strong content production skills in digital media. The GROW Content & Outreach Specialist will work closely under the direction of the Director of Outreach and Extension to:
● Work alongside GROW researchers to synthesize their findings into web-related content, including: news articles, webinars, videos, factsheets, social media posts, and promotional materials, as well as produce content for the PSA network and Cover Crop Councils, as needed.
● Travel to GROW and Take Action research sites to collect materials for web-related content
● Assist with the production of new joint GROW/Take Action/PSA products, such as podcasts, symposiums and digital farming tools known as Decision Support Tools.
● Help manage internal communications and organizational systems, and assist with website upkeep and production.
● Travel and promote Take Action and GROW content at ag events and meetings.
A master’s degree in Agricultural Communications, Journalism, Communications or closely related field, or a bachelor’s degree and equivalent level of experience; Working knowledge of and a commitment to working as part of a team on a wide variety of Extension and outreach efforts; Effective communication (verbal and written), administrative, and interpersonal skills; Abilities to build effective working relationships with colleagues and clientele, and to work as a member of a team; Organized and able to manage multiple projects simultaneously and work remotely; Proficiency in the use of computer software packages such as Zoom, PowerPoint, Google Drive, and social media platforms; Ability to carry equipment, educational materials, and supplies. The candidate must possess a valid driver's license and the ability to occasionally travel nationwide. Candidates must be eligible to work in the US.
Master’s degree or at least 3 years of experience in Extension or a similar outreach role; Previous demonstrated experience in leading team meetings, writing articles and outreach content, video and podcast production, and other duties described above are desirable.
Commensurate with Experience
The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.
Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including the Innovation Campus in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous Extension offices and research centers. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.
Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.
Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.
If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Dr. Michael Flessner at flessner@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.
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