Careers at Virginia Tech

VCE is seeking an agent with expertise in home horticulture or the green industry to work with this fast-growing area. The position will serve as the agent coordinator for the Northern Shenandoah Valley Extension Master Gardener unit; providing leadership, guidance and training for Extension Master Gardener volunteers in the five counties of Clarke, Frederick, Page, Shenandoah, Warren, and the City of Winchester, and provide educational programming on various horticultural topics. This position will be based in the VCE-Frederick County office of Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE). The agent will join a team of agriculture, family and consumer science, and 4-H youth development agents in the region. This position requires basic knowledge of horticulture, including crop production, integrated pest management and plant diagnostics, plant physiology, pathology, weed science, pest management and pesticide safety practices; pesticide-safety education programming; economics and marketing; and biotechnology developments. The position also requires basic knowledge of environmental issues, herbaceous and woody ornamentals, interior plants, fruits, and vegetables, as well as soil, water and nutrient management. Agents must determine program needs by monitoring trends and issues, involving Extension leadership councils and other leadership committees; develop and deliver objective and research based educational programs and information to meet the needs of target audiences, specify program goals and objectives, and identify resources; inform clientele of program activities; use appropriate technologies to plan and deliver programs through workshops, seminars, conferences, one-on-one visits, on site demonstrations, field trips and tours; maintain knowledge of current research information; use computer applications; develop and implement evaluation plans; recruit, train and utilize volunteers, enabling them to plan, conduct, evaluate and report educational activities; provide educational leadership and informational assistance to producers, industry, Extension Master Gardener volunteers, and homeowners relative to the horticultural needs of the counties, and report results to clientele, general public and funders. The agent will maintain a high level of proficiency in the subject matter field by participating in professional activities and in-service training; will work closely with citizens and local, state, and federal officials to aid Virginia in preparing and responding to natural or other emergencies and disasters.

Must have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree (BA or BS) in a relevant discipline from an accredited college or university. A master's degree and promotion to Extension Agent are required no later than the sixth year of employment. A category 10 pesticide license must be obtained after hire. Demonstrated ability to recruit, select, train and manage volunteers; demonstrated ability to lead groups, plan, implement, facilitate, teach and evaluate educational information programs; knowledge and use of computer technology in educational programming and management and presentation skills; excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively with broad audiences; ability to work with minimal supervision in an unstructured setting. Extension agents demonstrate flexibility, adaptability; a team-oriented mindset, yet can work independently, and a strong desire to help clients succeed. Extension Agents recognize the importance of all communities and broad reach in the development and delivery of Extension programs, actively working to increase program participation of all people. Extension Agents are responsible for VCE's civil rights policies and equal opportunity compliance. The person in the position is expected to travel to provide in-person leadership and to build community partnerships with few exceptions for telework.

Virginia Tech is unable to sponsor applicants for work visas for this vacancy.

Master's degree.

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Restricted

$45,000 - $65,000

Varies

September 25, 2025

The successful candidate must have a driver's license check with an acceptable and safe driving record.

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 Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

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