Horticulture Professional
- Date Posted December 20, 2017
- Location Falmouth, ME
- Category Education
- Job type Full-Time
Company description
Founded in 1865, the University of Maine is a land and sea grant institution, and the flagship campus of the University of Maine System. Located in Orono along the banks of the Stillwater River, this vibrant and dynamic university serves Maine, the nation, and the world through its teaching, research and outreach mission. UMaine students come from every county in Maine, more than 49 other states and 67 countries. UMaine offers 90 undergraduate majors and academic programs, 85 master’s degree programs, and 35 doctoral programs. Opportunity for all members of the University of Maine community and its constituents is a cornerstone of our mission.
The University of Maine offers a strong traditional education at an affordable price. UMaine is one of New England’s premier universities. We help students create success stories — with a wide variety of programs and opportunities — and we do so with world-class faculty members, internationally recognized research, first-rate facilities, and a friendly, safe atmosphere located near some of the best year-round recreation sites in the nation.
Job description
The Horticulture Professional will coordinate, manage and collaborate with other professionals and agencies to deliver horticulture programs in Cumberland County. The Professional will respond to the needs of home gardeners, have overall responsibility for the county Master Gardener Volunteer program, and oversee the management of the Tidewater Gardens educational site near the Extension office. The salary range for this position is $36,000 to $42,000 per year commensurate with experience and qualifications.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
- Design and implement a Plan of Work that aligns with Cooperative Extension’s mission and addresses high priority issues in the Maine Food System, and focused on horticulture.
- Provide leadership for the coordination and management of the Cumberland County Master Gardener Volunteers program.
- Oversee and manage Tidewater Gardens educational programming site located near the Extension office. This includes fund development and fundraising sufficient to maintain the operational costs of the site. Successful fundraising infrastructure currently in place raises about $20,000 per year.
- Support the food security component of the county’s Master Gardener program, including Harvest for Hunger, and collaborate with community agencies on food security issues that can be addressed through horticulture.
- Develop, deliver, and evaluate educational programs focused under the food systems umbrella including workshops, short courses, fact sheets, newsletters, and press releases individually and as part of teams. Audiences include small and large commercial agriculture businesses, families, beginning and limited resource farmers, other agency and organization professionals, and UMaine faculty and Extension colleagues.
- Involve partners, clients and citizens in defining priority program needs (e.g. using advisory groups and needs assessment techniques), and creating opportunities for collaboration to enhance program impact.
- Share supervisory responsibilities and other reasonable office and volunteer management duties with others in the Cumberland County office.
- Supervise and direct a part-time Community Education Assistant (CEA) that will provide program support.
- Develop and maintain professional relationships that reflect courtesy, civility, and mutual respect.
- Work in partnership with colleagues on relevant Extension Program Leadership Teams.
- Report regularly on outcomes of programs, events and activities to stakeholders including entries into UMaine Extension’s reporting system.
- Use educational technology to enhance program expansion and reach new audiences.
- Seek ways to reach under-served and under-represented clients while ensuring compliance with affirmative action, equal opportunity and civil rights guidelines and requirements.
- Seek external funding to support educational programming efforts. Manage grants and contracts received.
- Contribute to overall Cooperative Extension marketing initiatives as part of an individual plan of work.
- Provide timely and accurate information in response to public requests for information.
- Develop and sustain a professional development plan that includes ongoing knowledge of current research and trends in topics within the broad area of food systems.
- Participate in UMaine Extension Cumberland County staff and Extension Association meetings as a member of the county staff as appropriate.
- Contribute skills and insights for effective office management with co-workers in the Cumberland County office, including serving in the office’s County Coordinator role.
- Serve on organizational committees as appropriate.
- Perform other reasonably related duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor's Degree.
- Demonstrated skill in designing and delivering educational programs.
- Experience working with plants.
- Ability to communicate effectively using oral, written and electronic methods.
- Demonstrated computer and educational technology skills, including experience with computer programs such as Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
- Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks in an autonomous work environment as well work effectively as part of a team, and able to achieve and document measurable results.
- Demonstrated management, organizational, and facilitation skills, including the ability to handle conflict.
- Ability to work collaboratively with other agencies and organizations.
- Ability to travel both in and out-of-state normally requiring a valid driver's license.
- Ability to occasionally lift 30 to 50 pounds.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in an agricultural discipline.
- Demonstrated ability to acquire external funding.
- Community education/teaching experience.
- Knowledge of University of Maine Cooperative Extension and its educational programs.
- Demonstrated skills in designing and delivering community-based educational programs with an emphasis on subjects related to horticulture.
- Demonstrated experience working with diverse audiences and knowledge of equal opportunity, affirmative action and civil rights.
- Experience with Master Gardener program.
- Volunteer management experience.
- Demonstrated supervisory experience.
Work Environment/Dynamics: The Horticulture Professional Position is expected to work out of the Cumberland County Cooperative Extension office in Falmouth, Maine.
Compensation
this position is: salaried, less than 50kWork visa
This employer is willing to sponsor a work visa for international applicantsApplication instructions
Deadline
no deadline