Extension Agent

Extension Agent

Land Grant Department

Tsaile & Tuba City Center

Duty Schedule:

Primary duties are Monday through Friday. However, will be required to work on weekend and beyond 5 pm daily. Must be able to meet a flexible schedule.

Summary/Objective of Position:

This position is to conduct Extension Education in the areas of Livestock, Farming, Rangeland and Youth Development throughout the Navajo Nation. Extension Agent will develop workshops, training and provide one-on-one technical services to Navajo Farmers and Ranchers. In addition, look for external funding sources to create new programs and projects for Navajo Farmers, Ranchers and Youth. This position does not come with housing.

Description of Essential Functions of the Position

Disclaimer: This is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills, efforts, requirements or working conditions associated with the job. While this list is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job,management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed as assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The Extension Agent will be involved in creating agricultural opportunities for Navajo Farmers, Ranchers and Youth. These opportunities are not limited to workshops and seminars but also providing hands-on learning approaches to best management practices. The position will require daily planning for events and activities, scheduling, meeting with partners, producers, updating local communities of their services, and maybe required to present during grazing, farm boards, and chapter meetings. Must work with a minimum of 10 ranchers or farmers on an annual bases on a one-on-one approach monthly to help develop new management strategies. Well be required to develop youth camps for the communities they are serving. These camps can be day or overnight camps in the areas of natural resource and agriculture. Must be willing to conduct after-school programs with local k-12 schools.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education & Experience

Minimum:

A Bachelor's degree or 5 years of experience in Natural Resources, Agriculture, Environmental Science, Biology or a closely related field. 2 year demonstration of progressive responsible and successful experience engaging, mentoring and working with farmers, gardeners and ranchers, coordinating trainings at community-based organizations and/or schools.

Preferred:

A Bachelors Degree.

Knowledge:

Must have knowledge of farm, gardens, greenhouse, dry land and irrigated farming, vegetable and forage production, ground preparation, planting, irrigation, pest control, harvest and post-harvest operations. In addition, have knowledge of and ability to teach principles of farm management including plants and plant communities, soil fertility, water harvesting,storage and delivery, irrigation and water management, and other best management and treatment practices. Required to provide technical services in the topics around agriculture. Must have the ability to plan, organize program applicable to improving Navajo agriculture. Must be willing to partners on developing programs. Example - partnering with Other higher education, and United States Department of Agriculture programs. Must have experience working with grant-funded projects, reporting, and budgeting.

Skills:

Skills must include communicating effectively, orally and written. Must be able to present to large audiences, prepare presentation with power point, and prepare handouts. Must have skills in establishing and maintaining a sound, effective relationship with varied stakeholders. Must be able to communicate well with supervisors, document progress and program development, and turn in reports in a timely manner.

Abilities:

The Extension Agent is required to work in an environment that can be physically challenging and work in a team setting to get larger programs established.

Physical Requirements, Work Environment & Travel:

This position requires working in the hot sun, rain, snow and in the office. Must be willing to work in the fields and with live animals. Must be able to lift for 50 lbs. Will be required to travel utilizing both personal vehicle and government vehicle and willing to use airplane to fly to attend conferences and trainings.

Other Requirement(s):

Must have a valid drives license and have current registration and insurance on personal vehicles. Prefer Navajo Speaking individuals however not required. In addition, willingness to learn Navajo.

Salary : $0