The WVU Extension Service is seeking a self-motivated individual who will implement a comprehensive Extension program in agriculture and natural resources (ANR) with a focus on forage livestock systems, local foods, and agribusiness. This is a county-based faculty position serving Preston County and supporting Extension activity in the region.

Preston County is a rural county located in north-central West Virginia. The population is 34,214 (2020 US Census). This position will primarily work with farmers and landowners to enhance their production and management skills to improve the profitability and sustainability of their farm businesses. This twelve-month position carries the academic rank of Assistant Professor or Visiting Instructor, depending on the candidate's level of education. An Assistant Professor appointment with a graduate-level degree will be a full-time, promotable, tenure-track appointment. A Visiting Instructor appointment with an undergraduate-level degree will be a full-time, non-tenure track appointment.

Major Responsibilities
This position's major responsibility is the interpretation and delivery of relevant educational information to the citizens of the county and the region, with specific emphasis on an effort to ensure the application of this knowledge.

The Agent is responsible to the ANR Program Director for all ANR programmatic and administrative matters. In addition, the Agent works cooperatively with the appropriate County Program Coordinator (CPC) to integrate his/her program efforts into the total County Extension program. The amount of time that an Agent spends in specific program areas and/or in program components is determined in concert with the Unit Director and other County Faculty.

Functions and Tasks of the Agent

• Conducts educational programs in his/her designated program area to help people more effectively interpret and use science-based findings.
  • Assumes responsibility for developing and executing a Plan of Work. The Plan of Work will includea mix of ANR programming with a focus on the agribusiness enhancement of food production systems and profitability in the county and the Mon Valley region. This programming may include the continuation of current successful programs (forage management and livestock production) and the inclusion of new innovative programs which would enhance farm viability and profitability in Preston County and the region.
  • Involves the Extension Service Committee and community stakeholders, and appropriate program advisory committees to analyze the county situation, identify priority problems and develop and implement programs.
  • Uses the resources of West Virginia University and the community to effectively implement county programs.
  • Identifies, recruits, and develops volunteer leadership (i.e., master gardeners, topic-focused program volunteers) to assist with delivering the program of work in the county.
  • Develops and uses appropriate systems for reporting program accomplishments.
  • Functions always as a professional educator.
  • Actively participate with Extension work teams to help focus and develop regional and statewide programs in designated program areas.
  • Work in conjunction with 4-HYD Agent and county staff to support youth agriculture programming in the county. ( Examples: judging teams, project workshop, related in- school programs, festival management support)
  • Faculty members are expected to engage in recruitment, retention and student success activities that promote access, education, training, experiences, and career opportunities for young people that will lead to their future enrollment at WVU or other post-secondary institutions.

• Teaching: Follows a sound process in developing educational programs in his/her designated areas of responsibility. Extension faculty are practitioners who develop educational programs to meet the needs of non-credit learners. Program development is a process used to assess needs, mobilize resources, and create and organize educational initiatives to address the needs of citizens.
  • Develop, market, deliver, facilitate, and evaluate non-credit educational programming in response to locally identified priority needs.
  • Establishes clear objectives and uses appropriate subject matter content and learning experiences to reach these objectives.
  • Designs and implements a variety of program delivery methods to reach target clientele.
  • Takes necessary action to ensure that enough groundwork is laid for programs to succeed.
  • Evaluates results, measures impact, and shares results with appropriate stakeholders.
  • Uses the results of program evaluation to initiate changes in the implementation of the program.

• Service: Develops an understanding of the county, the needs of its citizens and Extension's role in meeting those needs.
  • Understands the county situation in terms of social and economic factors.
  • Understands the role of the County Extension Service in effecting changes in the county situation.
  • Develops community partnerships to address county programming needs.
  • Continuously examines his/her role as a change agent.
  • Assesses the degree to which programs meet the needs of clients, induce positive change, improve performance, or measurably impact priority problems.

• Research: Uses knowledge of agriculture to inform and guide teaching and service and move the faculty and learner to decision making and action.
  • Participates in professional development activities that increase expertise in the discipline.
  • Demonstrates the ability to apply current knowledge to address specific priority problems.
  • Assesses the degree to which new knowledge moves the faculty and learner to decision making and action.

• Understands the philosophy of Extension and utilizes effective methodology in program delivery and evaluation.
  • Understands and conveys the philosophy, objectives, and policies of the WVU Extension Service.
  • Assists in determining and obtaining resources needed to implement the Plan of Work.
  • Plans and provides the training needed to equip volunteer leaders to carry out the program.
  • Develops and maintains two-way communications with volunteer leaders.
  • Establishes and maintains rapport with personnel in mass media and arranges for appropriate releases in the program area.
  • Understands and implements the provisions of EEO, ADA, WVU's, and other Affirmative Action programs within Extension.

• For an appointment at the Assistant Professor rank the applicant must have a master's degree.
  
• For an appointment at the Visiting Instructor rank the applicant must have a bachelor's degree.
  
• Candidates with a degree in progress may be considered for interviews, but the degree must be completed by the hire date.
  
• Training and experience in a forage livestock system and/or local food production field and/or agribusiness field of study is highly preferred. A degree in one of these areas is highly preferred.
  
• Training and experience in community development (such as agribusiness, etc.) is desired.
  
• Demonstrated leadership and management skills through collaborations and partnerships with agenciesand organizations is necessary. Extension or similar work experience is desirable.
  
• Documented experience in volunteer management, supervision, resource development, and team leadership is desirable.
  
• Proficiency in oral and written communication and knowledge and use of computer technology for educational programming and management is required.
  
• Experience working with advisory committees and/or focus groups.
  
• Experience working with media and web-based information delivery methods.

Education & Experience Preferred:

• Successful experience in developing financial support for educational programs including grant writing, fundraising, contracting or cost recovery efforts.
  Experience in promoting, marketing, or creating public awareness of programs/services among key community decision-makers.

Special Requirements:

• Ability to pass a criminal background check.
  
• Ability to meet travel demands of position (overnight stays), such as 4-H youth agriculture events, conferences, and professional development sessions/training.
  
• Willingness to work flexible hours, including some nights and weekends.
  
• Ability to lift and carry materials needed to conduct training and perform duties of the position.
  
• Must be able to pass the Children on Campus and Title IX required training.
  
• Must have a valid driver's license

Position Assignment:

• This is a 12-month, full-time, Extension faculty position.
• The successful candidate will be evaluated for providing a significant contribution to teaching and service and will be expected to undertake a continuing program of studies, investigations, and/or scholarly works. Accomplishments will be evaluated at least annually and will be judged in the context of these roles.
• The position will provide agriculture and natural resources programming in Preston County. The agent will also be a subject matter resource person for regional and statewide programming as needed.
• The position will provide community development programming as it applies to agribusiness and agritourism in Preston County and North Central West Virginia.
• Appointment is subject to the approval of the Preston County Extension Service Committee.
• Position is expected to begin May 2024.
• Closing date: Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
  

Application Process:

• If you meet the stated requirements and would like to be considered for the position, ALL the following information must be submitted through WVU Careers:
  • A cover letter indicating the position that you are applying for and outlining experience and qualifications.
    
  • Resume or curriculum vitae including date(s) of employment, supervisor(s) names, and contact information.
    
  • A list of three references (including address, e-mail, and phone) who can reflect on your professional strengths.
    
  • Transcripts conferring your master's degree. The required degree must be conferred by the start of the position.

Special Notice:

• Upon completion of the application, screening, and interview process, a candidate will be presented to the Preston County Extension Service Committee for their consideration.
• The final placementof the agent in the County is subject to the approval of the Preston County Extension Service Committee.

About WVU Extension:

WVU Extension is a primary outreach division of West Virginia University, embracing the heart of the University's land-grant mission. WVU Extension maintains a presence and connections in communities across all 55 West Virginia counties. It assesses local needs, seeks science-based best practices to meet these needs, and delivers educational programs and resources through several formal and informal systems. These connections are critical to the design, implementation, and evaluation of Extension and community engagement programs.

WVU Extension envisions a West Virginia where all its people can reach their fullest potential. Our mission is to improve lives and livelihoods of all West Virginians. Extension's work is guided by collaboration and partnership; doing no harm; providing trusted, science-based practical education; helping people help themselves; serving all people, and exercising accountability. WVU Extension focuses on providing trusted and practical educational programs that improve health, education, and prosperity. These programs help people, businesses, and communities solve problems, develop skills, and build a better future.

WVU Extension is part of the National Cooperative Extension System present in every state and territory and is overseen by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). It was created by Congress through the 1914 Smith-Lever Act. It is designed as a collaborative program funded through federal, state, and local match. WVU Extension also includes the Fire Service Extension (c. 1931), the Institute for Labor Studies and Research (c. 1959); the Occupational Health and Safety Extension (c. 1988), and the WVU Center for Community Engagement (c. 2021).

Visit WVU Extension Service's website at www.extension.wvu.edu for additional information about our programs. In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability and reprisal or retaliation for prior civil right activity. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs).

At West Virginia University, we leverage our talents and resources to create a better future for our state and the world. As West Virginia's land-grant university, WVU has three campuses that touch each corner of the state. The WVU System includes 518 buildings on 15,880 acres, Extension Service offices in all 55 counties, ten experimental farms and four forests.

From the groundbreaking R1 research of our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs of WVU Potomac State in Keyser to the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley - the contributions of WVU employees directly impact the 1.8 million people of West Virginia every day, no matter their role or position.

Service, curiosity, respect, accountability, and appreciation are the core values that unite Mountaineers, inspiring one another to work tirelessly and support others as they seek to reach new heights. After all, when you're a Mountaineer, impossible is just another mountain to climb.

Creating an inclusive, engaged, and dynamic learning environment is core to WVU's academic mission. We welcome candidates who can contribute a range of ideas, approaches and experiences.

West Virginia University is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer and is the recipient of an NSF ADVANCE award for gender equity. The University values diversity among its faculty, staff, and students, and invites applications from all qualified applicants regardless of race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, nationality, genetics, disability, or Veteran status.