Program Associate - Agriculture Education

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Closing Date:

Type of Position:

Professional Staff (Non-Classified)

Workstudy Position:

No

Job Type:

Regular

Work Shift:

Sponsorship Available:

No

Institution Name:

Division of Agriculture of the University of Arkansas

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is a state wide campus, with faculty based on University campuses, at Research and Extension Centers and in every Arkansas county. It consists of the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station (AES) and the Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service (CES), and is home to more than 1400 employees. The Division was established in 1959 and is headed by the Vice-President for Agriculture. The Division headquarters is located in Little Rock with the rest of the University of Arkansas System Administration. As an employer, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers a vibrant work environment and a workplace culture that promotes a healthy work-life balance.

Below you will find the details for the position including any supplementary documentation and questions you should review before applying for the opening. To apply for the position, please click the Apply link/button.

If you have a disability and need assistance with the hiring process and require reasonable accommodations, please contact the Division's Office of Program & Employment Compliance at compliance@uada.edu.

For general application assistance or if you have questions about a job posting, please contact Human Resources at 501-671-2219 or 479-502-9820.

Department:

CES | Assoc. Prof. - Leadership * Community, Professional, & Economic Development

Department's Website:

uaex.uada.edu/business-communities

Summary of Job Duties:

The Program Associate - Agriculture Education will support two programs, the Soybean Science Challenge and the NRCS Soil and Water Conservation Virtual Field Demonstrations and Education programs.

The Soybean Science Challenge is a farmer-funded, statewide, high school education program that seeks to increase student knowledge about the value of Arkansas soybeans to the Arkansas economy, to the labor force, and ultimately to feed and fuel the world. The Soybean Science Challenge develops and delivers original educational resources/curriculum to Arkansas junior high and high school students increasing their awareness and knowledge of the value of soybeans to the Arkansas economy and potential careers supporting Agricultural sustainability as well as their knowledge of the diversity of soy products and uses. The Soybean Science Challenge also increases participation in applied research by Arkansas junior high and high-school students supporting soybean production and actively engages students in the "co-creation" of knowledge and rewards outstanding student researchers through the Soybean Science Challenge research awards. The Soybean Science Challenge also reaches out to science teachers to consider using Soybean Science Challenge online education resources and curriculum in their classroom.

The goal of the NRCS Soil and Water Conservation Virtual Field Demonstrations and Education programs project is to continue to integrate the efforts of the Arkansas Discovery Farm and the Arkansas Soil Health Alliance with the UADA outreach efforts to develop and deliver educational experiences to a statewide network of participants. Education efforts for K-12 audiences include utilizing the Discovery Farm Agriculture Education Center located on the UAPB campus for on-site K-12 educational field trips and hosting teacher education workshops.

The Program Associate duties will include the coordination and management of two grant-based programs - Soybean Science Challenge and NRCS Soil and Water Conservation Virtual Field Demonstrations and Education program. The program associate will perform the following:

• Design, coordinate, and manage the NRCS Soil and Water Conservation Virtual Field Demonstrations and Education program's efforts related to K-12 student and teacher objectives.
• Manage day-to-day communications and work with teachers, students, and schools.
• Formalize a detailed project management and evaluation plan in coordination with the principal investigator.
• Monitor and update course content and enrollment data in four online courses: Soybean Science Challenge Student Course; Soybean Science Challenge-Teacher In-Service Course; Soybean Science Challenge-Teacher Resources; and the Science Fair 101 Course.
• Create and disseminate new educational resources for students and teachers.
• Provide direct communication and mentoring support and instruction for Arkansas junior high and high school science students.
• Coordinate all Regional Science Fairs and Arkansas State Science & Engineering Fair. Seek sponsorships/partnerships for nine science fairs which includes: creation and approval of agreements with all fairs; recruitment and support for judges; preparation for and presentation of student awards; development of press packets for statewide news releases and posting on Soywhatsup, TheMiracleBean.com, and social media sites (December-May).
• Create, promote, and produce the Arkansas Soybean Research Challenge digitally in the media through partnerships and conferences as scheduled.
• Prepare monthly direct and electronic contacts with Arkansas educational leaders and science teachers.
• Facilitate student mentoring through web-based instructional technology.
• Conduct ongoing collaboration with news media and community partners to leverage resources committed to this project and expand the impact of the educational program to include the public, with specific targeting to parents and educators at all grade levels.
• Team management and utilization of program evaluation data to improve products and outcomes.
• Compile report data; drafting quarterly and annual reports for funding sources; completing weekly and monthly reporting and accountability contacts and tasks related to the project through PEARS and other reporting methods as determined.
• Assist with other agriculture education, prepare reports, manage budgets, create publications and presentations regarding the programs they work with, and other duties assigned.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

A B.S. in Agriculture, Science Education, Agriculture and Extension Education, Leadership, or other relevant fields of study plus three (3) years of related experience OR a related Master's degree is required.

Preferred Qualifications

M.S. Agriculture, Agriculture and Extension Education, Science Education, MAT, Leadership, or other relevant fields of study.

Qualification Equivalencies:

Additional Information:

Salary Information:

Commensurate with education and experience.

Required Documents to Apply:

Cover Letter/Letter of Application, List of three Professional References (name, email, business title), Resume, Unofficial/Official Transcript(s)

Optional Documents:

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Recruitment Contact Information:

Dr. Julie Robinson

Telephone: 501 671 2082

Email: jrobinson@uada.edu

All application materials must be uploaded to the University of Arkansas System Career Site https://uasys.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/UASYS

Please do not send to listed recruitment contact.

Pre-employment Screening Requirements:

Motor Vehicle Reports Check

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture may conduct pre-employment background checks on certain positions for applicants being considered for employment. The background checks may include a criminal background check and a sex offender registry check. Required checks are identified in the position listing. A criminal background check or arrest pending adjudication information alone shall not disqualify an applicant in the absences of a relationship to the requirements of the position. Background check information will be used in a consistent, non-discriminatory manner consistent with the state and federal law.

The University of Arkansas is an equal opportunity institution. The University does not discriminate in its education programs or activities (including in admission and employment) on the basis of any category or status protected by law, including age, race, color, national origin, disability, religion, protected veteran status, military service, genetic information, sex, sexual preference, or pregnancy. Questions or concerns about the application of Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, may be sent to the University's Title IX Coordinator and to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.

Persons must have proof of legal authority to work in the United States on the first day of employment.

All application information is subject to public disclosure under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.

Constant Physical Activity:

Hearing, Manipulate items with fingers, including keyboarding, Sitting, Standing, Talking, Walking

Frequent Physical Activity:

N/A

Occasional Physical Activity:

Crouching, Driving, Feeling, Grasping, Hearing, Kneeling, Lifting, Pulling, Pushing, Reaching, Stooping

Benefits Eligible:

Yes