Location: Honolulu,HI, USA
Description
Position Title: Assistant Extension Agent (Urban Horticulture and Food Systems)
Position Number: 0084954
Hiring Unit: College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience (CTAHR) Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences (TPSS)
Location: Honolulu, Hawaii
Date Posted: November 7, 2024
Closing Date: December 22, 2024
Monthly Type: 11 Month
Tenure Track: Tenure
Full Time/Part Time: Full-Time
Temporary/Permanent: Permanent
The University of Hawai'i at Manoa (UHM) is an indigenous-serving institution with a commitment to becoming a Native Hawaiian Place of learning. The University of Hawai'i at Manoa is classified as an R1 institution; part of a 10-campus statewide system, and it is a uniquely structured Minority Serving Institute (MSI) and Land Grant University (LGU) within the US Western-Pacific region. University of Hawai'i is one of a few MSI-LGUs offering Associate, Baccalaureate, Masters, and Ph.D. STEM degrees, as well as post-graduate certificates.
Duties and Responsibilities
* Provide overall leadership in developing, coordinating, disseminating, and conducting a science-based educational program for Urban Horticulture which promotes environmentally sound malama 'aina practices, general horticulture, Hawaiian landscaping, pest and disease management, protection of our 'aina and natural resources with special emphasis on advancing local food production systems (water, nutrient, plant selection, access, etc) to urban and rural clientele primarily on the Island of O'ahu.
* Develop multi-disciplinary, collaborative partnerships with faculty, government institutions, community agencies, Master Gardeners, retail markets, consumers, food hubs, entrepreneurs, food distribution centers, cottage industry cooperatives, native Hawaiian community organizations, community garden systems, intermediate markets, and the general public in developing, implementing, and evaluating extension education programming to advance the production, purchase and distribution of locally grown, produced, and processed food from local farmers and producers to increase economic opportunities.
* Establish opportunities to advance local food production systems by increasing the market potential of locally grown commodities through venues such as farmers markets, on farm / direct sales, CSAs, native Hawaiian community organizations, food hub purchases, farm to school programs, county recreational community garden programs, state agencies, value added centers, etc.
* Increase local food procurement and expand relationships between public agencies and agricultural communities to advance food chain resiliency.
* Establish an outreach program with heavy emphasis on non-formal teaching methodologies to target and reach a diversity of underrepresented audiences in urban and rural areas, including native Hawaiians, socially disadvantaged and limited English proficient individuals, in a group setting
* Develop scholarly activities, such as the development of workshops, and training manuals, presentations, exhibits, performances and publishing scholarly information that address industry needs
* Provide information using various means of technology transfer including, but not limited to, farm visits, workshops, conferences, field days, demonstrations, videos, social media, web based publications, academic seminars, etc.
* Provide educational outreach and service-learning training support for students, youth, teachers and the University's volunteer community of 4-H leaders, Master Gardeners, and CTAHR's CARES community garden programs, etc.
* Obtain local, regional, and national funding for program sustainability.
* Participate in Department, College and University service/governance.
* Work with stakeholders to conduct meetings that occur after normal working hours and/or weekend at off-site locations.
* Ability to work in a cooperative work environment.
Minimum Qualifications
* Master's degree from a college or university of recognized standing in horticulture, plant science, natural resource management, or closely related field.
* At least three (3) years of successful experience in Cooperative extension work, Sea Grant or equivalent in closely related fields.
* Ability to exercise independent judgment and to assume responsibility for developing an Extension program
* Ability to work harmoniously with other agents in an integrated Extension system, and with related agencies.
* Ability and experience in working collegially and academically with public, various community leaders, diverse government agencies and community groups, colleagues and clientele in an inclusive manner.
* Ability to apply extension teaching methods using adult education principals.
* Strong interpersonal skills and ability to engage with stakeholders
* Ability to travel independently to various geographical locations in a timely manner. Requirement may be fulfilled by a valid Driver's License (class 3), comparable driver's license, or other means of transportation which meets position needs.
* Ability to travel independently overnight and in and out of state
Desirable Qualifications
* Ability to conduct applied field trials and provide technical recommendations to clientele
* Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively through oral, written and visual channels, using a diversity of education tools.
* Strong time management and organizational skills
* Training or practical experience in community horticulture, home gardening, Master Gardener program, and volunteer management.
* Coursework or experience in education/adult education or project management.
* Demonstrated ability to obtain external funding or other in-kind program resources.
* Experience with developing educational materials for websites and using social media such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube for educational purposes.
* Experience working with socially disadvantaged, limited resource, and minority clientele groups
* Knowledge of urban plants including ornamental plant materials.
* Ability to write peer-reviewed journal publications
To Apply:
1. A cover letter emphasizing your qualifications for all the indicated responsibilities of the position,
2. A comprehensive Curriculum Vitae
3. Statement of contribution to diversity, equity, and inclusion in research, the classroom, and/or cooperative extension;
4. Academic transcripts (copies accepted, however official transcripts will be required upon hire); and
5. Contact information for at least three professional references who may provide letters of recommendation.
Inquiries:
Jari Sugano; ...@hawaii.edu
EEO/AA, Clery Act, ADA
The University of Hawai'i is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination on the basis of race, sex, gender identity and expression, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, genetic information, marital status, breastfeeding, income assignment for child support, arrest and court record (except as permissible under State law), sexual orientation, domestic or sexual violence victim status, national guard absence, or status as a covered veteran. For more information or inquiries regarding these policies, please refer to the following link:
Employment is contingent on satisfying employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986; reference checks of previous employers; and for certain positions, criminal history record checks.
In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, annual campus crime statistics for the University of Hawai'i may be viewed at: or a paper copy may be obtained upon request from the respective UH Campus Security or Administrative Services Office.
Accommodation Request: The University of Hawai'i complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the EEO coordinator directly. Determination on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. For further information, please refer to the following link:
CTAHR Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement:
We believe that inclusiveness and excellence are interdependent. Our local and global communities are best served by ensuring all populations are represented equitably throughout CTAHR. We strive to cultivate an environment that supports equitable opportunities for every member of CTAHR to achieve individual and common goals. We will advance diversity, equity, and inclusion by: (1) promoting the recruitment and retention of diverse students, faculty, and staff, especially from groups that have been underrepresented or marginalized; (2) creating equal opportunities for all members of CTAHR to participate in decision-making processes and scholarly and professional development; and (3) fostering an inclusive culture where every CTAHR member feels respected and valued.
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