NDSU Temporary General Ag Tech Champion Community Program Coordinator Agriculture Workforce, Industry and Innovation Center (AgWIIC)

Position Information

This is a part-time or temporary non-benefited position.

Ag Tech Champion Community Program Coordinator

Agriculture Workforce, Industry and Innovation Center (AgWIIC)

Part-Time Position

August 15, 2026 - February 28, 2027

Position Summary

The Ag Tech Champion Community Coordinator serves as a key member of the Agriculture Workforce, Industry and Innovation Center (AgWIIC), providing statewide leadership in developing and implementing the Ag Tech Champion Community initiative. This initiative is designed to help North Dakota communities build local capacity to support agricultural technology, workforce development, innovation, and economic growth.

Working collaboratively with the AgWIIC Director and NDSU Extension, the coordinator will design the Ag Tech Champion Community model, develop operational guidelines and educational resources, recruit participating communities, and support local Extension mentors as they guide community teams through the initiative.

The coordinator will also establish evaluation and reporting processes that document community outcomes and impacts, ensuring consistent reporting for AgWIIC and the NSF AgTech Engine.

The position reports to the AgWIIC Director and works closely with Extension professionals, community leaders, industry partners, and AgWIIC staff.

Key Responsibilities

Ag Tech Champion Community Model Development

• Design and develop the statewide Ag Tech Champion Community framework.
• Develop the application process and selection rubric for communities seeking designation as an Ag Tech Champion Community.
• Establish operational guidelines, timelines, community expectations, milestones, and performance measures.
• Create educational curriculum, training materials, templates, and implementation resources that support participating communities.

Community Recruitment and Support

• Promote the Ag Tech Champion Community initiative throughout North Dakota.
• Recruit communities to participate in the pilot program.
• Coordinate onboarding and orientation for selected communities.

Mentor Coordination and Guidance

• Provide guidance, coaching, and technical assistance to local Ag Tech Champion Community mentors.
• Work collaboratively with county Extension agents serving as community mentors.
• Develop mentor resources, expectations, and communication processes.
• Facilitate regular mentor meetings to share best practices and address implementation challenges.

Evaluation, Reporting, and Continuous Improvement

• Develop reporting requirements and evaluation tools for participating communities.
• Design standardized methods for collecting community outcomes, success stories, workforce metrics, and implementation data.
• Prepare impact summaries and evaluation reports for AgWIIC leadership and NSF AgTech Engine reporting requirements.

Work Schedule: 15 to 19 hours per week

Advertised Pay: Salary Negotiable

Pay is based on several factors, including budget, labor market, prior experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and/or certification and other business considerations.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Masters degree in agriculture, community development, workforce development, education, leadership, Extension, or a closely related field.
• Experience working with rural communities, agricultural organizations, workforce initiatives, or community development programs.
• Experience developing educational programs, curriculum, or community-based initiatives.
• Strong project management, organizational, and communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently while coordinating multiple projects.
• Strong relationship-building and facilitation skills.
• Valid drivers license with the ability to travel throughout North Dakota.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in a related discipline.
• Experience with the Cooperative Extension System.
• Experience coaching or mentoring community leaders.
• Knowledge of agricultural technology, innovation ecosystems, and rural economic development.
• Experience developing evaluation systems and outcome reporting.
• Experience working on grant-funded or multi-partner initiatives.
• Familiarity with NSF-funded projects or workforce development initiatives.

To Apply - Applications must include the following materials:

Please include within application if you are currently or have in the past 12 months been employed with NDSU, the North Dakota University System or any other North Dakota State agency. If so, include which agency/department, as well as your how many hours you work a week and in the past 12 months.

Employment Eligibility:

NDSU determines employment eligibility through the E-Verify system: What is E-Verify? New employees to NDSU must present specific identification to determine their employment eligibility no later than their first day of work. To view the identification required, please see the List of Acceptable Documents. You will be required to have one item from List A OR one item from List B and List C.

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.

NDSU is committed to fostering a community where differences are recognized as strengths. Rooted in our land-grant mission, we work together to meet the needs of North Dakota and its communities through education, research and outreach.

Equal Opportunity Statement:

NDSU does not discriminate in its programs and activities on the basis of 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. Direct inquiries to: Vice Provost, Title IX/ADA Coordinator, Old Main 201, NDSU Main Campus, Fargo, ND, 58108, 701-231-7708, ndsu.eoaa@ndsu.edu.

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.

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.