Assistant Professor, Pecan, Viticulture and Fruit Extension Entomologist

Job Title

Assistant Professor, Pecan, Viticulture and Fruit Extension Entomologist

Agency

Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Service

Department

Entomology

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

Stephenville, Texas

Job Type

Faculty

Job Description

Extension Specialists serve as subject matter experts and use their expertise to fulfill the mission of the Agency, providing support to the Extension network at the county, district, region, and state levels. Extension Specialists both individually and in team settings plan, coordinate, develop, implement, and evaluate curricula extension education programs, and educational resources. Additionally, they are expected to perform scholarly work including, but not limited to, applied research related to their subject matter area.

Roles and responsibilities of Assistant Professors and Extension Specialists are typically as follows, but can vary depending on the department and expectations of the Associate Department Head, Department Head/Unit Leader and/or Agency leadership:

Overview: The Pecan, Viticulture and Fruit Extension Entomologist will develop and deliver Extension educational programming with a supporting applied research component designed to resolve problems of importance to pecan, viticulture, and fruit producers in Texas. This individual will develop and lead statewide Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Entomology efforts related to pecan, viticulture, and fruit arthropod pest management.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Provide technical expertise on pecan, viticulture, and fruit arthropod pest management.
• Develop a statewide Extension program related to pecan, viticulture, and fruit arthropod pest management serving homeowners. small scale, and commercial producers.
• Develop a Nationally recognized applied research program of importance to pecan, viticulture, and/or fruit producers.
• Use traditional and innovative Extension outreach techniques to educate diverse audiences including homeowners. small scale, commercial producers, and Master Gardeners.
• Provide support and training for Extension County Programs and County Agents.
• Work closely with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and Research horticulture and plant pathology personnel to develop cross-disciplinary Extension and research programs.
• Work closely with the Texas Pecan Growers Association, the Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association, and the Texas Fruit Growers Association to help identify Texas’ industry needs.
• Develop an applied research program related to arthropod pest management in pecans, viticulture, and fruits.
• Secure funding from appropriate sources and publish the results of research and other creative activities including peer-reviewed journals, Extension outlets, and trade magazines.
• Participate in the training of graduate students and provide service to the Department of Entomology, the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Stephenville, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, and professional societies or organizations.
• Other duties as required.

Additional Responsibilities:

People

• Collect and synthesize information from county, regional, and statewide program development committees, clientele needs assessments, trend data, clientele organizations, and key industry leaders to guide the content, quality, and priority of programming
• Support agents with programming and content related to the subject matter expertise through program planning meetings, individual consultation, site visits with clientele, speaking at educational programs, and in other educational roles
• Coordinate with RPLs and appropriate agents programming efforts, result/demonstrations, and other activities when performed in counties
• Provide professional development opportunities and trainings and mentor and coach agents as requested by Regional Program Leaders (RPLs), District Extension Administrators (DEAs), and Associate Department Heads (ADHs) in subject matter, issues identification, and program planning areas
• Work with Agents and Agency leadership to develop and implement volunteer training activities.

Programs

• Understands the type of programmatic approaches needed to meet the needs and capabilities of different audiences for effective program planning and implementation.
• Develop and participate in disciplinary and interdisciplinary programming efforts as appropriate to adequately address the priority issues facing our stakeholders
• Work to effectively coordinate and integrate programs and, as appropriate, contribute to an Extension Coordinated Program Area
• Develop and implement evaluation strategies to assess outcomes from Extension educational programs and demonstrate evidence of program impacts (i.e., knowledge gain, behavior change, adoption of new technologies and best practices, economic impact) as measured by well-designed program evaluations
• Participate in program planning at the multi-county or regional level and convey insights to their ADH or unit leader as appropriate

Partnerships

• Provide timely and effective coordination, cooperation, and scheduling of activities with colleagues and personnel within Extension and across AgriLife, including but not limited to District Extension Administrators, Regional Program Leaders, Associate Department Heads/Program Leaders, other departmental or unit faculty/staff, County Extension Agents/staff, and AgriLife Research and College personnel.
• Engage with external groups including state and federal government agencies and stakeholder organizations and other entities to better understand issues and potential partner in addressing stakeholder needs.
• Seek grants, contacts, and other revenue sources to advance and sustain programmatic efforts in the subject area
• Member of professional organizations and societies
• Demonstrate collegiality by serving on departmental/unit, Extension and AgriLife committees, and demonstrating a track record of building effective working relationships across departments, agencies, and/or colleges

Scholarly Efforts

• Develop, implement, and evaluate innovative educational programs resources and materials (e.g., fact sheets, instruction manuals, educational videos, online courses, computer software programs, apps, etc.)
• Conduct applied or translational research that is in line with the Extension programming effort
• Publish creative and scholarly work in refereed journals appropriate to the faculty member’s subject matter area, and present research findings at relevant industry meetings, professional meetings, or conferences
• Support academic pursuits in the subject matter area through activities such as guest lectures, undergraduate student mentorship, student club activities, student competitive team activities, graduate student mentorship, and serving on graduate student committees.

Required Education and Experience:

A Ph.D. or soon to be completed Ph.D. in entomology or a closely related discipline.

• Preferred - doctoral degree that aligns with the programmatic work of the agency, unit and/or position
• Preferred – published research results in refereed journals

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Experience in area of specialization, ability to write grant proposals to secure external funding; development and implementation of extension programming; evidence of publishing in peer-reviewed journals; and participation in professional societies.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent managerial skills.
• Competence in the use of personal computers; navigating communications, team collaboration, word processing and spreadsheet software; and using appropriate statistical-analysis software is required.

Preferred knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Advanced knowledge and experience in pecan, or closely related nut crops, arthropod pest management.
• Secondary knowledge and experience related to viticulture or fruit crop arthropod pest management.
• Experience in conducting applied research in nut, viticulture, and fruit crops suitable for driving effective Extension programming.
• Evidence of scholarship through scientific and/or Extension presentations and publications.
• Ability to communicate and collaborate with diverse audiences including faculty, stakeholders, and other clientele.
• Expertise with modern communication strategies such as web-based publications and effective use of social media.

For More Detailed Information:

Review the most recent edition of the Professorial Career Ladder System for Extension Specialist Faculty for more detailed information.

Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Stephenville: The Stephenville Center is located in north-central Texas and is centrally located for Texas’ pecan and wine vineyard industries. The Stephenville Center is located at 1229 N. US Hwy 281, Stephenville, TX 76401. The Stephenville Center houses 5 Research and 6 Extension faculty. Facilities include greenhouses, laboratory and office space, classroom, and conference rooms. The Center has approximately 20 acres of on-station pecans for research purposes. Additionally, there are approximately 12,500 acres of commercial pecans in production in Comanche County that may be cooperatively utilized for research and outreach purposes. The Stephenville Center has more than 700 acres of farm space capable of accommodating grape and fruits for research purposes as well as 12 commercial vineyards within 40 miles of the Center. Stephenville, Texas is home to Tarleton State University, which is a member of the Texas A&M University System and will provide unique opportunities for cooperative research and access to students.

Administrative Relationships: The incumbent will be a faculty member in the Department of Entomology at Texas A&M University, supervised jointly by the Associate Department Head for Extension Entomology, the Entomology Department Head, and the Director of the AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Stephenville. The Extension Entomologist will be a member of the faculty at the Stephenville Research and Extension Center and will work with faculty, staff, and administrative staff at the Center.

Salary and Benefits: Salary and benefits will be competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience. Benefits available include group medical insurance, dental insurance, group and individual life insurance, long-term disability insurance, workers’ compensation, retirement plan with Texas A&M System contribution, sick leave, annual leave, paid holidays, possible administrative leave days, and unemployment compensation.

Closing Date for Applications. Review of applications will begin November 30, 2023, and will continue until the position is filled.

Application Instructions: 

A cover letter expressing their interest in and qualifications for the position. A statement of the applicant’s vision for Extension and applied research related to arthropod pest management in Texas pecans, viticulture, and fruit crops; A resume or curriculum vitae ; and  Contact information for three professional references. Selected candidates will be required to provide official academic transcripts upon request.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer.