Assistant Professor and Agribusiness /Resource Economist Specialist

Position Information

The School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences (SANS), University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES), seeks applications for the position of Agribusiness / Resource Economist.

This is a 12-month tenure track position focused on extension and applied research. This assignment may change in accordance with the needs of the programs.

Tenure will accrue in the Department of Agriculture Food and Resource Sciences. The UMES Extension Program is a component of an integrated cooperative extension program that is coordinated by the two land grant universities in the in the state of Maryland.

The successful candidate will work as part of a collaborative interdisciplinary team encompassing several programs. They will also be expected to conduct a nationally recognized state-wide Extension education and applied research program focused on improving livelihood and enhancing local, regional and state-wide economic development efforts Responsibilities The key responsibilities for the position will include the development of integrated extension and applied research programs that could include but will not be limited to the following areas :

• Work with local community and stakeholders to promote effective agribusiness practices including business planning, financial management, marketing, risk management and labor relations.
• Assist farmers / ranchers / business owners in developing sound business plans and enhancing their ability to make informed decisions.
• Develop educational programing for relevant clientele including providing state-wide educational programs for farm labor supervisors.
• Conduct applied research and educational programs in other relevant areas to Maryland including : Natural resource management, Agricultural policy, Agricultural marketing systems, and Commodity exchanges.
• Participate actively in graduate education by chairing and serving on graduate committees, supervising thesis and dissertation research, and publishing results with his / her graduate students.
• Actively seek contract and grant funding to support their program.
• Consistently publishing their work in both peer-reviewed journals and relevant extension outlets.
• Participate in professional development activities.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Classification 25- Education, Training, and Library Occupations Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in agricultural economics, agribusiness, development economics, natural resources economics or related field.
• Evidence of scholarly publications.
• Demonstrated skills and ability to develop competitive grant proposals.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and deliver educational programs to diverse clientele.
• Strong oral and written communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team.
• Demonstrated ability to provide leadership in designing, coordinating and implementing applied research and extension projects.
• Commitment to the land grant mission.

Preferred Qualifications

• Postdoctoral work experience in extension and research.
• Knowledge of agricultural Extension programs and the land-grant mission.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and deliver educational programs to diverse clientele in both formal and informal settings and to use emerging technologies in managing and / or delivering educational programs.
• Proven experience in applied research.
• Proven ability to manage and perform multiple tasks under conditions of fluctuating workloads, competing requirements, and changing deadlines.
• Ability to accept feedback, prioritize workload, be professional, and interact collaboratively and positively with others.
• Evidence of building and maintaining stakeholder relationships.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Knowledge of the land grant mission.
• Demonstrated skills and ability to develop competitive grant proposals.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and deliver educational programs to diverse clientele.
• Strong oral and written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team.
• Ability to lead and coordinate collaborative activities.
• Agricultural extension agents / specialist may be required to work evenings and weekends.
• Work for this position may take place both indoors and outdoors, so agents must be prepared to deal with changing weather conditions and temperature extremes.
• Support UMES clientele service values of integrity, commitment, accountability, respect and excellence.

Certifications / Registrations N / A