Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist

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.

This faculty member will develop programs to disseminate information, provide educational training opportunities for stakeholders, and conduct applied research to assist small flock and niche producers, as well as the commercial poultry industry, with challenges related to quality and safety of poultry products. Potential research could include but is not limited to, poultry processing methods and equipment, value-added consumer poultry products, poultry product quality, microbiology and food safety, sustainable production practices, organic poultry, small scale poultry management, and other areas of critical importance to the future of the poultry sector. Extension outreach could include, but is not limited to, processing workshops and/or small flock workshops, trainings, publications, manuals, and certification programs in areas such as HAACP and best management practices for processing sanitation and food safety. The faculty member will also be expected to conduct an applied research program to support their outreach programs.

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:

Position Responsibilities:

• establish and conduct effective extension education programs for the poultry industry and the people of Texas.
• establish strong professional relationships with allied agencies/firms.
• serve as a principal resource for interpreting policy concerning the poultry industry.
• establish a nationally recognized, extramurally funded extension-based research program in Poultry Science.
• graduate student mentoring to obtain these extension-based research goals is essential.
• expected to effectively communicate pertinent scientific knowledge to poultry industry stakeholders, regulatory officials, and other related clientele.
• publish in peer reviewed journals.
• actively participate in national and regional professional organizations.
• expected to participate in youth related extension programming in support of the department’s mission in youth education.
• expected to serve on departmental, college, and university committees.

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 referred 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:

• Ph.D. in Poultry Science, Animal Science, Food Science, Muscle Biology, Food Engineering, or related field.

Preferred Experience:

• Experience in research and outreach programs for poultry processing, post-harvest food safety, muscle/protein biology or closely related field.
• Prior industry/regulatory experience.
• Training in extension or teaching methods.
• Established publication and funding record.
• HACCP certification/training.

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• 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.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Competence in the use of personal computers; navigating communications, team collaboration, word processing and spreadsheet software; and using appropriate statistical-analysis software.
• Ability to travel up to 30% and willingness to work with poultry industry stakeholders in support of the land grant mission.
• Ability to multi task and work cooperatively with others.

For More Detailed Information:

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

Reporting Line:

Extension Specialists and Program Specialists, depending on their home unit, report to an Associate Department Head and respective Department Head or Unit Leader. As applicable Regional Program Leaders and Program Area Coordinators will provide input in the specialist’s annual review.

Application Instructions:

Please include/attach the following:

1. Statement of Extension and Career Goals

2. Current Curriculum Vitae

3. Names and Contact Information for Three References