Associate in Extension, Horticulture (Yuma, AZ)

Strategic program design and leadership:

• Design and lead comprehensive extension programs that respond to complex community, agricultural, or socioeconomic issues across Arizona regions in assigned focus areas.
• Set program goals, strategies, and evaluation plans in collaboration with faculty, specialists, and stakeholder groups.
• Oversee coordination of multiple projects or initiatives within the broader program portfolio.

Advanced outreach and research integration:

• Lead strategies for educational outreach and specialized extension workshops that provide evidence-based solutions to complex community challenges.
• Collaborate with university researchers and faculty to translate advanced research findings and new technologies into practical tools and programs for Arizona communities.
• Develop specialized instructional materials and curricula tailored to various audiences and delivery formats (for example, field days, producer meetings, family workshops).

Needs assessment and impact evaluation:

• Design and conduct independent, systematic needs assessments, including regional data analyses, to determine strategic extension program priorities and identify community assets.
• Develop or refine methods for measuring program effectiveness and long-term impacts using both quantitative and qualitative data.
• Use findings to inform strategic planning, resource allocation, and regional extension service delivery.

Scholarly communication and reporting:

• Author and publish technical reports, extension publications, and scholarly articles that communicate research-based program results to professional peers, community stakeholders, and university leadership.
• Present program outcomes at conferences, advisory meetings, and university forums in clear, accessible language.
• Provide data-informed briefings to administrators and partners on program performance and regional trends.

Partnerships and external funding:

• Cultivate and advise strategic partnerships with campus units, agencies, industry groups, schools, and local governments to advance extension unit goals in assigned focus areas.
• Lead development of proposals to secure competitive external funding and grants to sustain and expand strategic extension initiatives.
• Steward funded projects by monitoring deliverables, timelines, and reporting requirements.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Extensive knowledge of extension theory and practice, program evaluation, and community engagement strategies.
• Skill in leading complex, cross-unit projects and integrating research into practical programming.
• Strong analytical skills for designing assessments, interpreting data, and drawing evidence-based conclusions.
• Advanced written and verbal communication skills, including scholarly writing and presentations to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to build and sustain strategic partnerships and to lead project teams or small groups of staff and volunteers.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple large projects, and make informed decisions within broad guidelines.