Grassland Research and Extension Manager
Job Description
This position is supported by Advancing Markets Program grants developed to foster greater grassland resilience and encourage management that improves ecosystem services of forage-livestock production systems. It is essential that this person be able to help farmers implement a suite of grazing / land management practices and work to track the effect of these changes over time. The person in this position will work under the direction of the State Forage Extension Specialist and lead collaborations with producers, Virginia Cooperative Extension agents, Small Farm Outreach Program Agents, Agency personnel, forage industry players, and students/personnel in Virginia Tech's Sustainable Grasslands Lab in the School of Plant and Environmental Sciences.
The successful candidate will provide direct, one-on-one technical assistance to producers; develop, coordinate, and lead outreach programming; provide research support; and, administer grassland management programs focused on building resilient, sustainable, and productive grazing systems through collaborative science and cooperative extension. The candidate will instruct, guide and assist farmers on how to implement best management practices. The candidate will collect samples to track changes in soil health in response to management practices implemented on participant farms. Suitable candidates will supervise other staff and students, manage research and for the project (including data collection, analysis, and curation; laboratory and field operations work and maintenance), conduct extension activities and required reporting.
The successful candidate must work closely with farmers, researchers, students, extension agents, and community stakeholders. Knowledge of grassland management, demonstrated effective communication skills, ability to coordinate activities for other staff and students, and capacity to implement practices - particularly those involving on-farm trials and participatory research - are key skills and knowledge areas.
Required Qualifications
A master's degree in agronomy, natural resources management, or conservation, or a bachelor's degree (in previously mentioned disciplines) and significant professional level experience or expertise that equates to the minimum educational qualifications. Must be able to drive and work independently.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with warm-season native grasses and silvopasture establishment and management. Soil sampling and management. Supervisory experience in a research setting.
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