47-23 Extension County Specialist, Agriculture, Larimer County

Colorado State University, United States

Updated: 11 months ago
Location: Fort Collins, COLORADO
Deadline: 01 Jun 2023

Posting Details
Posting Detail Information


Working Title 47-23 Extension County Specialist, Agriculture, Larimer County
Position Location Fort Collins, CO
Work Location Position qualifies for hybrid/in-office work
Posting Number 202300157F
Proposed Annual Salary Range $54,800-87,000 (commensurate with academic credentials and professional experience)
Employee Benefits
Colorado State University is committed to providing employees with a strong and competitive benefits package that supports you, your health, and your family. Visit CSU’s Human Resources website for detailed benefit plan information for eligible employees in the following University benefit areas: https://hr.colostate.edu/hr-community-and-supervisors/benefits/benefits-eligibility/ and https://hr.colostate.edu/prospective-employees/our-perks/ . To see the value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, visit our compensation calculator – https://hr.colostate.edu/total-compensation-calculator/ .
Position Type Faculty
Work Hours/Week 40
Description of Work Unit
The Office of Engagement and Extension (OEE), in cooperation with the Colorado State University (CSU) colleges and other units, has general charge over the University’s educational programs and services across the areas of engaged scholarship, extension, and extended campuses, which complement and reinforce the research, teaching, and service missions of CSU. OEE is collaborative space for faculty, staff, and students pursuing and promoting community-based research, service-learning, industry partnerships, and other forms of the scholarship of engagement. In partnership with the CSU colleges and other divisions, OEE faculty and staff work throughout the state of Colorado to engage individuals and communities in the design, implementation, and application of scholarship and educational opportunities. The OEE Vice President is the principal administrative, academic, and fiscal officer for the division, reports to the CSU President, and works closely with the Provost/Executive Vice President. OEE includes over 400 employees and operates with a total budget across the enterprises of approximately $85 million. OEE is one of the most institutionally comprehensive commitments to engagement and outreach among all land-grant and other universities. Propelled by OEE’s leadership, nationally CSU is a Carnegie Engaged University (2008, 2014), is a member of the Engagement Scholarship Consortium, is an APLU Innovation and Economic Prosperity University (2016) and is highly ranked for its online degree programs. CSU was established in 1870 and remains inspired by its land-grant heritage and world-class faculty, staff, and students. CSU enrolls approximately 33,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students, and is the largest employer in northern Colorado with more than 7,400 faculty and staff. Colorado State University is located 60 miles north of Denver in the beautiful city of Fort Collins.
CSU Extension, organized under OEE, is the academic unit designated to promote the land-grant mission of increasing access to education through the application of university knowledge “in the several pursuits and professions in life” 1 for the people and communities of Colorado, across the United States, and around the world. In partnership with CSU’s colleges and external partners, CSU Extension amplifies the research, teaching, service, engagement, and extension missions of CSU. CSU Extension faculty aim to educate, create, and connect with learners through inclusive, transdisciplinary, and activated engaged scholarship, and innovative, accessible, and connected lifelong education. To learn more about CSU Extension, visit www.extension.colostate.edu .
Colorado State University Extension (CSUE) and Larimer County work cooperatively to provide Extension programming and engagement in the county. The direction Extension programming takes is locally driven. Larimer County is the ninth-largest county at 2,640 square miles and the sixth-largest county in population with over 328,000 residents. Located in north-central Colorado, Larimer County is a county of contrasts ranging from the high mountains of Rocky Mountain National Park in the west to foothills and plains along the Interstate 25 corridor. The majority of the population resides in Fort Collins and Loveland. The median household income is $72,227. Larimer County offers a variety of attractive residential choices, excellent schools, parks, greenbelts and trail systems, recreation, cultural opportunities, and an inviting quality of life. Fort Collins is home to the Colorado State University campus. Larimer County has a vigorous housing market for purchases and rentals. To learn more, visit the Larimer County website at www.Larimer.gov .
The Larimer County Extension Strategic Guidance Plan recognizes Food & Agriculture, along with Household, Family & Finances, Health & Wellbeing, and Youth Development and as significant needs within our communities that we can address through education. The Extension staff in Larimer County includes seventeen staff members [a director; seven agents including this position (agriculture/natural resources, horticulture, family and consumer science, 4-H youth development livestock; and Community Development); an Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program educator, and several program coordinators and support staff. To learn more about Larimer County Extension, go to http://Larimer.gov/Extension .
We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of all backgrounds and abilities. We invite you to review Colorado State University’s Principles of Community that guide our mission and vision of access, teaching, service, and engagement. Colorado State University encourages professional development and provides an Employee Study Privilege with up to 9 credit hours of tuition assistance annually.
Tenure/Tenure Track? No
% Research 35%
% Teaching 50%
% Service 15%
% Administration 0%
To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on 06/01/2023
Number of Vacancies
Desired Start Date
Position End Date
Position Summary
OEE invites applications and nominations for an Extension County Specialist, Agriculture in Larimer County. This is a full-time, twelve (12) month, non-tenure track Extension faculty position. Faculty rank is dependent upon the candidate’s academic credentials and professional experience and is subject to review by the Extension Promotion Committee. The faculty appointment, evaluation, and promotion standards are centered around the three core duties of extension faculty – educate, create, and connect . Candidates are sought with interests that complement and expand upon current initiatives and education activities in OEE and CSU Extension.
The person will have a proven track record of successful needs assessment, teaching and evaluation in agriculture and food systems, providing innovative, engaged programming opportunities for diverse constituents, public speaking, providing technical consultation, building program capacity through grants and contracts, and fostering both internal and external collaboration and teamwork. This person must be comfortable working with different stakeholder groups to help agriculture remain viable throughout the county (either through production/management techniques, processing or marketing). The most successful candidate will have experience in an environment where there are diverse types of agriculture, a growing population, and the potential for new market opportunities with both large and small agricultural producers by providing salient educational, research and grant opportunities and support with a strong connection to CSU resources (such as the Agricultural Research Development & Education Center, Agricultural Business Management team, etc). Programming that meets community needs, such as a focus on smaller scale crop production, and sustainable agricultural and soil practices, is expected. The Extension Specialist will provide a pivotal role as a conduit between Larimer County departments, CSU and the local agricultural community to provide guidance as a resource and advisor on best practices. The Extension Specialist will be an effective communicator with the experience and skills to engage with a variety of people, including Larimer County Commissioners and other leaders in Larimer County government, as well as the Commissioner-appointed Agricultural Advisory Board. The individual in this position works as a member of the Larimer County Extension team and as a local representative of Colorado State University. This position reports to the Larimer County Extension Director.
The primary office location for this position is in the Larimer County Extension Office in Fort Collins, Colorado. The work schedule will vary, and occasional nights and weekend work will be necessary. While this position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement, the individual is expected to maintain a balance of establishing a presence in the primary office, to effectively carry out the duties of the position.
Conditions of Employment Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires), Valid Driver’s License, Travel
Required Job Qualifications
  • Completed bachelor’s degree. Conferred degree must be in agriculture sciences, soil and crop sciences, agricultural business, horticulture, or closely related field. (Please note, a successful candidate without a completed master’s degree will be required to complete a master’s degree within five years from the start of employment to advance through the faculty ranks. Failure to do so will result in termination unless a compelling reason is accepted by the Vice President of Engagement and Extension).
  • At least 4 years professional experience relevant to the Essential Job Duties (below) of this position. Professional experience must provide a broad and significant understanding of agricultural sciences, such as cropping systems with knowledge of sustainable agriculture practices, including soil health, carbon sequestration, soil and water management, and other topics.
  • Course work and/or professional experience must provide a broad and significant understanding of agriculture and food systems associated with position.
  • Must have a valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain a driver’s license or access to a licensed driver by the employment start date.


If selected candidate has a bachelor’s degree, candidate will begin at Instructor rank. Faculty rank will be determined by candidate’s academic credentials and professional experience (Faculty Rank Supplemental PDF (1).pdf ).
Preferred Job Qualifications
  • Completed master’s degree. Conferred degree must be in agriculture sciences, soil and crop sciences, agricultural business, horticulture, or a closely related field.
  • Demonstrated experience in teaching/advising ag producers and other stakeholders in areas such as agronomy, food systems, soils, water and irrigation, and/or natural resources.
  • Experience with on-farm research or demonstration projects.
  • Demonstrated successful experience in fundraising, grant writing and other cost recovery efforts.
  • Experience with small acreage and/or pasture management including plant and weed identification and management practices.
  • Fluency in Spanish.
Special Instructions to Applicants
For full consideration, all materials must be RECEIVED no later than 11:59 PM Mountain Time on Thursday, June 1, 2023. Please submit the following to apply:
  • Resume
  • Cover letter
  • Special Required Documentation – Statement (no more than 5 pages) of how you meet all applicable “Required” and “Preferred” Job Qualifications. Please respond to each bullet point separately.


All applicants will be contacted approximately 15 working days after the deadline regarding their status. Next steps and interview dates will be shared to those moving forward. Four professional references will be requested of applicants that advance in the interview process.
For questions regarding the application process, contact the Office of Equal Opportunity at (970) 491-5836 or email [email protected] . For questions regarding the job vacancy, responsibilities, and salary, please contact Kerri Rollins at [email protected] .
Background Check Policy Statement
Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.
EEO Statement
Colorado State University is committed to providing an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based on race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or pregnancy in its employment, programs, services and activities, and admissions, and, in certain circumstances, marriage to a co-worker. The University will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. Colorado State University is an equal opportunity and equal access institution and affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce and complies with all Federal and Colorado State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. The Office of Equal Opportunity is located in 101 Student Services.
The Title IX Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Title IX Programs and Gender Equity, 123 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-1715, [email protected] .
The Section 504 and ADA Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836, [email protected] .
The Coordinator for any other forms of misconduct prohibited by the University’s Policy on Discrimination and Harassment is the Vice President for Equity, Equal Opportunity and Title IX, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, Co. 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836, [email protected] .
Any person may report sex discrimination under Title IX to the Office of Civil Rights, Department of Education .
Diversity Statement
Personal or professional commitment to diversity and inclusion as demonstrated by persistent effort, active planning, allocation of resources and/or accountability for diversity and inclusion outcomes.
Search Contact Kerri Rollins at [email protected]

Essential Duties


Job Duty Category Educate
Duty/Responsibility
  • Develop and conduct educational programming in response to local needs.
  • Work collaboratively with local government and organizational partners to develop, implement, evaluate and report impacts of non-credit educational programming for adult and youth audiences.
Percentage Of Time 50%
Job Duty Category Create
Duty/Responsibility
  • Develop and provide programming for diverse audiences and assure compliance with civil rights and affirmative action policies, including reaching out to underserved and underrepresented audiences.
  • Commitment to engaging with diverse people from different socio-demographic groups and community partners to understand community needs and develop support for existing and new program efforts.
  • Use of technology in managing and/or delivering educational programs.
  • Identify resources (grants, contracts, in-kind contributions, cost recovery fees, etc.) to enhance programs, support programming efforts and practice cost recovery.
  • Manage program funds in compliance with CSU and county fiscal policies and reporting requirements.
Percentage Of Time 35%
Job Duty Category Connect
Duty/Responsibility
  • Communicate through teaching, public speaking/presentation and writing, work with people as individuals and in groups.
  • Communicate and coordinate resources, research, and programming with faculty/staff at CSU, county, and other organizations.
  • Develop and support strong equitable working relationships with Extension staff, CSU faculty, local/county agencies, community leaders and private industry organizations to address priority needs.
  • Develop relationships and work with advisory groups and local leaders; cooperate with Extension Specialists in other counties to assess informal education needs in the area, develop/revise plans of work, implement educational strategies, and measure and report programmatic impacts.
  • Maintain a strong working relationship with the Board of County Commissioners, including responding to requests for consultation, research, and other assistance.
  • Provide conflict resolution, mediation and/or facilitate public dialogues.
  • Engage with public officials in policy decision influence.
  • Travel to and participate in meetings, professional development, events and periodic activities requiring travel and/or overnight stays.
Percentage Of Time 15%

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