Position Description & Details:
The North Dakota Advanced Agriculture Technology Engine (FARMS) Food systems, adapted for resiliency and maximized security is a groundbreaking initiative that will be fostered through collaborative efforts among key private and public stakeholders across North Dakota. A significant milestone has been reached by securing selection as an inaugural awardee for the U.S. National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Regional Innovation Engines competition.
The Extension FARMS Workforce Coordinator will play a pivotal role in propelling the Ag Tech Knowledge Network (ATKN) forward by assisting in the expansion of ATKN branches within each economic region. Additionally, the coordinator will engage regional Industry Sector Partnerships (ISP) to drive further collaborative action. This full-time position holds statewide responsibilities for the FARMS project as an Extension FARMS Workforce Coordinator. The selected candidate will be an integral member of the statewide Extension leadership and civic engagement team, the statewide 4-H youth development team, and the ND FARMS teams, committed to crafting innovative, facilitated learning experiences aimed at empowering youth and adults to enhance their lives and communities through science-based education.
Funded through an initial 2-year, $15M National Science Foundation (NSF) Cooperative Agreement, with the possible extension up to 10 years and $160M, this role is situated within NDSU Extension, an outreach organization of North Dakota State University.
Top of Form
Salary:
Commensurate with experience
Location:
Negotiable
Responsibilities:
This position encompasses a wide array of duties, including but not limited to:
- Provide leadership in formulating, executing, and evaluating workforce objectives within the FARMS initiative. This involves:
- Collaborating with the FMWF Chamber to extend Industry Sector Partnerships (ISPS) to a statewide Ag Tech Knowledge (ATKN) across all eight (8) economic development regions in North Dakota.
- Coordinating and providing support to ATKN branches to ensure inclusivity, regular meetings, and adherence to responsibilities.
- Coordinating all region quarterly meetings with ATKN coordinators.
- Collaborate with Extension and FARMS partners to plan and facilitate 10 listening sessions throughout North Dakota. These sessions aim to contribute to the development of an inventory map and gap analysis of workforce requirements.
- Provide leadership for FARMS workforce projects and coordinate the creation of relevant content and resources essential for supporting youth and adult ag tech educational programs.
- Foster opportunities for youth to interact with community members, postsecondary professionals, and industry leaders.
- Foster effective communication with NDSU Extension 4-H youth development, family community wellness and agriculture and natural resource professionals to garner support and participation in innovative opportunities pertaining to agricultural technology career and workforce development programs.
- Promote strategies to enhance the involvement of diverse audiences across all ag tech workforce programs.
- Pursue collaborative ventures with the ag tech industry, fellow FARMS partners, the eight economic development regions, colleagues, volunteers, teaching and research faculty, youth, 4-H members, community partners, and stakeholders to advance ag tech and workforce development initiatives.
- Cultivate relationships with media outlets and resources to proficiently communicate and market FARMS activities, events, and their impacts.
Other
- Serve as a productive and proactive team member of the FARMS team as well as the Extension leadership and civic engagement and 4-H youth development program planning teams.
- Candidates must be self-directed with minimal supervision and work flexible and extended hours.
- Candidates should be an active learner to keep relevant with new facilitation strategies, developing technology, advances in professional development, and up to date with related research.
- Be a resource and connect with county-based Extension professionals, volunteers, partners, youth and clientele.
- Ability to lift and carry 10-40 pounds occasionally.
- Travel statewide is required. Overnight trips will be required for meetings, FARMS facilitation and professional development.
- Perform other duties assigned in support of Extension programming.
Minimum Qualifications:
- An earned bachelor’s degree in a related field
- Experience in facilitation and positively interacting with youth and adults.
- Familiarity with various ethnic and socioeconomic audiences, an interest and ability to collaborate and work with people of diverse backgrounds, and a commitment to the principles of diversity.
- Demonstrated personal/interpersonal skills, including effective oral and written communication skills, to teach and interact effectively with a variety of audiences including youth, Extension staff, faculty and stakeholders.
- Ability to work with minimal supervision, including prioritizing workloads to meet deadlines.
- Possess a valid driver's license.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Earned master’s degree or other advanced degree in a closely related field.
- Five or more years of professional experience in designing, facilitating and evaluating educational programs for youth and adults.
- Basic understanding of the Cooperative Extension System and the land-grant university.
- Experience using organizational and logistical skills, with attention to detail, to lead, organize, implement, facilitate manage, and evaluate workforce - focused and or youth and adult educational programs.
- Record of successful partnerships at community, state and/or national levels.
- Experience in program planning and event management.
- Knowledge of community, state, and national resources
Applicant Materials Required:
- Cover letter including how you meet any or all minimum and preferred qualifications
- Resume
- Unofficial transcripts
- Include 3 professional references in reference section of application
- Screening will begin 6/14/24
Benefits:
NDSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes single or family health insurance coverage with premiums paid for by the university – with an effective date for new employees the first of the month following date of hire. Other benefits include: wellness benefits, basic life insurance, retirement plan, tuition waiver, annual leave, EAP, sick leave and holiday pay. Optional benefits include: supplemental life, dental, vision, long-term care insurance, flexible spending account, and supplemental retirement plans.
About Us:
North Dakota State University is distinctive as a student focused, land-grant, research university. We educate leaders who solve national and global challenges by providing affordable access to an excellent education that combines teaching and research in a rich learning environment.
NDSU is in the highest Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, R1, granted to the top research institutions in the country.
NDSU has offices across the state of North Dakota, and the main campus is in Fargo, on the Minnesota border. Along with Moorhead, Minnesota, Fargo forms one of the largest metropolitan centers between Minneapolis and Seattle. The community is consistently ranked as one of the best places to live.
No Smoking Notice:
As an employer, the State of North Dakota prohibits smoking in all places of state employment in accordance with N.D.C.C. § 23-12-10.
EO/AA Statement:
North Dakota State University is an Equal Opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, gender expression/identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, participation in lawful off-campus activity, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, public assistance status, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, spousal relationship to current employee, or veteran status, as applicable.
Diversity Statement:
NDSU strives to be a community of belonging, recognizing unique differences as strengths of our university. We seek to recruit and retain a diverse workforce that supports a community in which diverse populations and perspectives will know and learn from one another. NDSU values candidates who are committed to our core values of respect, inclusivity, community, creativity, excellence, impact, innovation, integrity, resilience, responsiveness, and transformation. Successful candidates will be committed to and help advance our strategic goal to create and maintain an open and respectful environment to promote inclusivity and diversity as a cornerstone of education, research, and outreach.
Veteran’s Preference Notice:
This position is subject to North Dakota Veteran’s Preference requirements.
Reasonable Accommodation Information
North Dakota State University is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education, and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, please contact Human Resources at 701-231-8961 or ndsu.hr@ndsu.edu.