Position Title: Ext Agric Agent

Employee Classification: Ext County Extension Agents

College/Division: Cooperative Extension Service

Department: 310350-ADMIN PRGM CHAVES CTY

Internal or External Search: External - Open to all applicants

Location: Cooperative Extension Service

Offsite Location (if applicable): Chaves County

Target Hourly/Salary Rate:  Commensurate on education and experience.

Appointment Full-time Equivalency:  1.0

Exempt or Non-Exempt:  Exempt

Summary:  The Cooperative Extension Service at NMSU is excited to announce an opening for an Ag Agent for Chaves County, NM. If you have a passion to provide educational programs for adults and youth including planning and implementing total Extension programs, please apply today.

Classification Summary:
County Extension Agents provide New Mexico's citizenry and communities with effective leadership and collaboration to foster economic, educational, and community development.

Classification Standard Duties:
The Agricultural Agent provides leadership and guidance to Extension educational programs in agriculture, horticulture/ urban horticulture, community and economic development, and natural resources throughout the county.

Required Education, Experience, Certification/License, Equivalency
Master's degree (in hand by hire date) required. At least one degree must be in Agriculture or related field. Or may be under filled as an Extension Associate I. Bachelor's degree in Agriculture or related field with a cumulative 2.5 GPA or higher required. Must complete a master's degree within 5 years of hire date to continue employment. Promotion to assistant professor rank will be based on performance and Dean's approval.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Ability to relate effectively to people all ages, income, educational levels and ethnic background and develop informal educational programs to meet their needs.
Ability to communicate orally and in writing and to teach effectively required.
Ability to implement educational learning experiences for both youth and adults in furtherance of the missions of Extension required.
Ability to provide leadership role in management of volunteer organization including recruitment, training and support of volunteers.
Successful candidate must have basic computer skills.
The Extension Agent is responsible to travel county wide via personal vehicle to execute educational programming to the stakeholders of New Mexico.

Job Duties and Responsibilities
** THIS IS A NON-TENURE TRACK POSITION **
*** POSITION IS PHYSICALLY LOCATED IN CHAVES COUNTY, HEADQUARTERS IN ROSWELL, NM ***
Successful candidate will:
- Provide leadership and guidance to Extension educational programs in agriculture (both major area crop and livestock, including both beef and dairy), urban horticulture, community and economic development, and natural resources throughout the county as job requires.
- Collaborate with other Extension Agents, with State Extension Specialists, the Eastern District Director and other administrators as well as outside agencies and organizations in planning and implementing the total Extension program.
- Support annual County Fair efforts. Recruit, train and support volunteer adult and youth leaders.
- Maintain a favorable public image and gain acceptance for self, Extension and New Mexico State University among the county citizens.
- Administratively responsible to the County Program Director and through him/her to the Eastern District Department Head.
- Provide timely reports as required.
- Promote CES programs within the district to meet the LEADS 2025 goals prioritizing the program expansion to non-traditional demographics.
- Foster collaborations and participate in activities and on research teams that support the work of the Center of Excellence in Food and Sustainable Agriculture (CESFAS).
- The Extension Ag Agent is responsible to travel county wide via personal vehicle to execute educational programming to the stakeholders of New Mexico.

Preferred Qualifications

Special Requirements of the Position
Must live in county where employed and be willing to travel and work odd hours as needed to support the program. Personal auto required, reimbursed at IRS rant per mile. Valid Driver's License required.

Department Contact:  Patrick Kircher, 575-762-1052, pkircher@nmsu.edu

Contingent Upon Funding: Not Applicable

Bargaining Unit Eligibility: 

Standard Work Schedule: Shift: Other Shift

If Not a Standard Work Schedule: May work evening or weekends

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

Environment: Work involves moderate exposure to unusual elements, such as extreme temperatures, dirt, dust, fumes, smoke, unpleasant odors, and/or loud noises.

Physical Effort: Light physical effort. Effort applies to no more than two (2) hours per day.

Lifting Requirements: Requires handling of average-weight objects up to 25 pounds or standing and/or walking for more than four (4) hours per day.

Risk: Work environment involves some exposure to hazards or physical risks, which require following basic safety precautions.