Job Openings

County Agent III (Assistant Professor) Commercial Agricultural Production

Rutgers University

Location: Burlington County - Westampton, NJ
Application Deadline: 2025-02-16

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Burlington County ANR Position

Recruitment / Position Title: County Agent III (Assistant Professor) Commercial Agricultural Production

 

Department: Agriculture and Natural Resources

 

Salary: County Agent III - Calendar Year (equivalent to Assistant Professor) as per current AFT/AAUP contract

 

Position Summary: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is searching for a community-engaged scholar to provide leadership, educational programming, and applied research-based information in commercial agricultural production, with a preference for knowledge and familiarity of vegetable production.  This is a full-time, 12-month, tenure-track faculty position at the rank of County Agent III (equivalent to Assistant Professor). This position is located at the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Burlington County, 2 Academy Drive, Westampton, NJ. 

 

Agriculture and Natural Resource Agents are expected to demonstrate excellence in extension practice, teaching, and service.  Key duties include providing leadership in assessing local needs to design, implement, and evaluate relevant programming in commercial agronomic or horticultural crop production, collaborating with agricultural producers and commercial commodity organizations, agencies, and internal ANR and NJAES working groups, and developing strategies to maximize the effectiveness of teaching and engagement, programmatic impact within Extension Practice, and service in appropriate service roles, utilizing a variety of delivery modes. 

 

Rutgers Cooperative Extension is committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive organization, which empowers all staff to contribute towards a vision for success.  Rutgers University and the ANR Department have a strong commitment to attracting diverse faculty and providing excellence in community engagement following the Rutgers Diversity Strategic Plan (https://diversity.rutgers.edu/university-plan), the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences Diversity Plan https://execdeanagriculture.rutgers.edu/diversity-equity-inclusion/), and Rutgers Cooperative Extension Diversity Equity plan (https://njaes.rutgers.edu/extension/diversity-equity-inclusion/rce-strategic-plan-for-diversity-equity-inclusion.pdf) which is why we encourage candidates from diverse, underrepresented communities to apply.

Reporting to the Chair of the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, this position will provide county and regional leadership and collaboration across working groups, stakeholders, and Extension Departments and Specialists specifically for commercial agriculture producers.

The position will:

  • provide leadership in assessing local needs to design, implement, and evaluate relevant programming in commercial agricultural production.
  • develop applied research and outreach programs focused on commercial agricultural production and management strategies for the commercial agriculture industry in Burlington County and the surrounding region.
  • collaborate with agricultural producers and commercial agriculture organizations, agencies, and internal ANR and NJAES working groups.
  • develop strategies and maximize the effectiveness of teaching and engagement, programmatic impact within Extension Practice, and serve in appropriate service roles, utilizing a variety of delivery modes.
  • secure grants, contracts, and other external funding streams to expand/enhance educational programs and apply research efforts.
  • actively participate in appropriate Departmental, Rutgers Cooperative Extension, New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University and Burlington County administrative functions.
  • establish an outstanding program, the merits of which will lead to regional and/or national recognition.
  • will fully participate in facilitating and supporting the effective operation of the RCE office in Westampton, NJ working within and following policies set by both the County of Burlington and Rutgers NJAES Cooperative Extension and Rutgers University Cooperative efforts with Extension Specialists, faculty colleagues, fellow ANR faculty and staff include:
  • Development of educational materials, production guides, recommendations, etc.
  • Conducting on-farm consultations, virtual and in-person meetings, conducting demonstrations, and/or participating in ongoing field research.
  • Encourage adoption of new and emerging technologies and techniques in commercial agriculture production
  • Collaborate with other researchers at Rutgers and across the region and commodity sectors in multidisciplinary projects.
  • Assist with county consumer horticulture clientele and ANR volunteer training programming 
  • In a team approach, strategize and develop multidisciplinary program components, exploring current and future needs of the industry to develop new educational programs and outreach efforts.
  • Program areas include sustainable agriculture, alternative cropping systems, and ag technologies.   

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: This position would be responsible for assisting clientele in implementing and sustaining appropriate commercial agricultural practices. 

 

Extension Practice:

  • Coordinate, conduct, and publish the results of applied research related to adoption and practice, meeting current and projected needs.
  • Explore and implement programs that lead to knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors that will improve the viability of commercial agriculture industries.
  • Garner external funding to support and expand programmatic outreach, leading to peer recognition.
  • Document effective changes for the sustainability of commercial agricultural industries in NJ.

Extension Teaching:

  • Create, deliver, and evaluate programs for professional and grower audiences using both direct and indirect methods and a variety of delivery methods.
  • Apply community-engaged learning opportunities for growers, commercial clientele, students and interns. Responsibilities may include engaging with Rutgers faculty, staff, and students (graduate and undergraduate) to increase opportunities for on-farm research and experiential learning at our research farms. Includes recruitment, training, supervising, and supporting University efforts to expand opportunities for hands-on, real-world experience (field trips, lectures, etc.).

 

Service

  • Contribute to the effective and collegial operation and impact of the assigned Extension office.
  • Serve as an information resource to clientele, partners, and Extension colleagues.
  • Establish productive working relationships with scientists and extension personnel in other states.
  • Participate in appropriate ANR Department, Cooperative Extension, and University committees or working groups.
  • Actively explore and contribute to opportunities to expand the statewide visibility and impact of Rutgers Cooperative Extension.
  • Participate in professional society activities including presenting papers at national and international meetings.

 

Additionally

  • Ability to adapt as circumstances are warranted.
  • Willingness to actively promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.
  • Demonstrated cultural sensitivity and humility and ability to share complex information tailored to the audience.
  • Demonstrated positive interpersonal communication skills (oral and written)
  • Evidence of recent educational materials and/or methods engaging diverse populations
  • Experience working with diverse audiences and communities.
  • Experience establishing, leading, and/or serving partnerships and coalitions.
  • Demonstrated computer literacy – Microsoft Office and other Windows software, Zoom, Qualtrics, Microsoft Teams, and ability to address changing technology to serve clientele, etc.
  • Possess initiative, creativity, and the ability to take direction while also working independently to meet goals and deadlines, and a willingness to learn and improve proficiency in designated subject matter areas.
  • Possess organizational skills, flexibility, and the ability to set priorities and manage multiple tasks within both office and field settings.
  • Ability to plan, conduct, and evaluate programs for the commercial agriculture sector.
  • Flexibility – the ability to work daytime, evenings, and weekends, as needed.
  • Experience and/or coursework in conducting community needs assessments, grant writing, and management, and applied research.

 

Minimum Education and Experience: A Master’s Degree from an accredited institution in horticultural sciences, agronomy, plant or soil sciences, or other closely related fields within the scope of commercial crop production is required. In addition, three years of relevant experience following attaining the Bachelors degree is required. Experience or course work in integrated pest management, commercial crop production, agribusiness management, working with diverse audiences, and/or collaboration/coalition building are preferred.

 

Certifications and Licenses: A valid New Jersey driver’s license or the ability to obtain one, the ability to complete Rutgers and/or Burlington County Defensive Driving Courses, and other HR training as required. A valid NJDEP Pesticide Applicator’s License, or the ability to acquire one within the first 18 months of hire, is also required.

 

Equipment Utilized: Computer, printer, and related software including but not limited to Microsoft Office suite; Email for communications and research, locally and nationally; Equipment related to programming and teaching (laptop, LCD projector, etc.); digital cameras, etc. Working knowledge of current and changing electronic technology.

 

Physical Demands and Work Environment: Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed. Successfully and efficiently work in both office and research farm settings and field visits. Comfortable and accustomed to working in rural agricultural settings.

 

Overview: This ANR County Agent III in Burlington County is expected to establish an outstanding program in commercial agricultural crop production, the merits of which will lead to regional and/or national recognition.

 

Burlington County Commercial Agriculture and Crop Production Statistics: Covering 827 square miles of land and water, Burlington County is the largest county in New Jersey and stretches from the Delaware River to the Atlantic Ocean. Burlington County has retained over 93,594 acres (approximately 18 percent of the total county land mass) in farmland. Burlington County has 925 farms with an average size of 101 acres. The total market value of agriculture products sold is over 135 million dollars. Agriculture crops produced in the County are diverse and range from cranberries and blueberries to traditional field crops, vegetables and nursery crops. Livestock production including cattle, poultry and swine are also in Burlington County.

Statement: Members of the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources focus on commercial agriculture and horticulture, fisheries and aquaculture, environmental and resource management issues, farm business development and marketing, pesticide safety and training, integrated pest management (IPM), and other related subjects. htps://njaes.rutgers.edu/anr/

 

Special Instructions to Applicants:      

Please provide a statement on your understanding and contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion and your specific plans and goals for advancing equity and inclusion at Rutgers University-SEBS-Rutgers Cooperative Extension (for additional information go to Rutgers University Diversity Plan https://diversity.rutgers.edu/university-plan, the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences Diversity Plan https://execdeanagriculture.rutgers.edu/diversity-equity-inclusion/), and the Cooperative Extension Diversity Equity plan (https://njaes.rutgers.edu/extension/diversity-equity-inclusion/rce-strategic-plan-for-diversity-equity-inclusion.pdf.

Campus: Rutgers University / New Brunswick

Home Location Campus: Off Campus

Location Details: Rutgers NJAES Cooperative Extension of Burlington County, 2 Academy Drive, Westampton, NJ 08060-3826

 

Pre-employment Screenings

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of all pre-employment screenings.

Required Documents

1. Cover Letter/Letter of Application

2. Curriculum Vitae/Resume

3. List of Professional References (Contact Info)

4. Personal Statement on Diversity (See special instructions above)

5. Copy of Unofficial Transcripts

Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

It is university policy to provide equal employment opportunity to all its employees and applicants for employment regardless of their race, creed, color, national origin, age, ancestry, nationality, marital or domestic partnership or civil union status, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, disability status, liability for military service, protected veteran status, affectional or sexual orientation, atypical cellular or blood trait, genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing), or any other category protected by law. As an institution, we value diversity of background and opinion and prohibit discrimination or harassment based on any legally protected class in the areas of hiring, recruitment, promotion, transfer, demotion, training, compensation, pay, fringe benefits, layoff, termination or any other terms and conditions of employment. For additional information please see the Non-Discrimination Statement at the following web address: http://uhr.rutgers.edu/non-discrimination-statement.