Food Crop Horticulture Extension Agent (Lexington and Richland Counties) Job at State of South Carolina

State of South Carolina Lexington County, SC

JOB SUMMARY:
Clemson University Cooperative Extension seeks applicants for a full-time Food Crop Horticulture Extension Agent for Richland and Lexington Counties. This role will be housed in the Lexington County Extension Office, serve as a member of the statewide horticulture program team, and is responsible for commercial horticulture duties in Lexington, Richland, and surrounding Counties.

The Horticulture County Agent is a member of the Extension staff of Clemson University. The agent is responsible for working cooperatively with other county and state staff to plan, implement, maintain and evaluate Extension education program for the county, state and region adult and/or youth clientele. Other duties as assigned.

JOB DUTIES:
Responsibilities of the Food Crop Horticulture Agent will include educating commercial producers in food crop production areas including fruits, vegetables, herbs/spices, nuts, and other specialty crops. The agent will work with producers on integrated pest management and other best management practices, crop selection, harvest and storage, food safety, and food system development. The agent will also be responsible for organizing, hosting, and speaking at events, workshops, and demonstration sites. Additionally, the agent may be asked to serve as the county pesticide coordinator.

This role will work with local Extension staff and advisory council(s) to plan, deliver and evaluate educational programs relevant to the counties’ needs. The agent will provide direct assistance and expertise to clientele seeking horticulture-related information through grower visits, phone calls, office walk-ins, emails, and other sources. The agent will deliver horticulture education through a variety of strategies including in-person classes, workshops and demonstrations; online courses; publications; mass media; social media; television/radio and others as needed.

The agent will collaborate with the Horticulture Program Director and other horticulture agents to develop and deliver programs regionally. The agent will also have the opportunity to collaborate with researchers, industry professionals, and growers in a collaborative manner to solve pertinent issues.

Ideal candidates will demonstrate significant experience in horticulture, oral and written communication, teaching methods, strong computing skills, and a commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity and inclusion.

60% - Essential - Primary Program Management and Development- Develop, deliver, and evaluate educational programming within the Horticulture Program Area to adult and youth audiences. Educate through direct methods such as individual consultation, training classes, group meetings, tours, demonstrations, and volunteer training and/or management, including online/virtual tactics. Communicate knowledge through indirect methods such as written, audio, visual, and/or social content. Document programming impacts for targeted stakeholders.

10% - Essential - Resource Sustainability - Responsible for resource development, management, and sustainability to support Extension educational programming to include grants, contracts, legal agreements, gifts, in-kind support, sponsorships, revenue generated, local and state appropriated funds and/or other types of funding.

10% - Essential - Extension Advocacy and External Partnerships - Partner and collaborate with the Extension Advisory Council and Advocacy Committees, Program and/or Action Committees, local and state elected officials, and Extension stakeholders in planning those educational phases of the county program relevant to areas of responsibility and consistent with the total Extension program.

10% - Essential - Internal Partnerships and Contributions beyond primary team - Collaborate across Program Teams to develop, deliver, and evaluate educational programming outside the Agent's primary Program Area using direct and indirect methods. Support day-to-day functions of the county offices, as needed, by being present in the office, available to the staff and public, and willing to assist with general Extension inquiries.

10% - Essential - Self-Improvement - Identify and participate in opportunities for self-improvement and professional development such as professional and in-service trainings. Obtain supervisory approval prior to registration and participation.

Education - Bachelor's Degree in Horticulture or a related field.
Licenses - The agent is expected to hold or obtain a South Carolina pesticide applicator license.

RESPONSIBILITIES

JOB KNOWLEDGE
Fundamental Job Knowledge - Fundamental working knowledge of concepts, practices and procedures and ability to apply in varied situations

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
Acts as Lead - Acts as a Lead by guiding the work of others who perform essentially the same work.

BUDGETARY RESPONSIBILITIES
Monitors Budget - Does not provide input but is responsible for monitoring the departmental budget and may oversee fund allocation.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Stand for prolonged period
Walk or move about
Use hands or feet to operate or handle machinery, equipment, etc
Ascend or descend (i.e. stairs, ladder)
Position self to accomplish task (i.e. stoop, kneel, crawl)
Communicate, converse, give direction, express oneself
Recognize or inspect visually
Move, transport, raise or lower
Extends hands or arms in any direction
Use taste or smell to detect or determine particular flavors or odors

WORKING CONDITIONS:
Exposure to heat or cold
Exposure to dust/fumes
Wet or humid
Noise
Overnight Travel


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