Position Title: Extension Specialist/Livestock

Employee Classification: Ext State Specialist

College/Division: Cooperative Extension Service

Department: 311000-EXTENSN ANIMAL RESOURCES

Internal or External Search: External - Open to all applicants

Location: Las Cruces

Offsite Location (if applicable):

Target Hourly/Salary Rate:  Commensurate on experience

Appointment Full-time Equivalency:  1.0

Exempt or Non-Exempt:  Exempt

Summary:  Seeking an Extension Specialist to develop a nationally recognized Extension and outreach program focusing on Small Ruminant Production, emphasizing sheep and goats.

Classification Summary:
Extension Specialists provide New Mexico's citizenry and communities with effective leadership and collaboration to foster economic, educational, and community development.

Classification Standard Duties:
The Department of Extension Animal Sciences and Natural Resources is committed to providing the citizens of New Mexico with research based, practical and applied educational programming that meet the demands New Mexico has in the agricultural and natural resource communities. The Extension Animal Science and Natural Resources department provides educational information to the public, on public land policy, grazing management, brush and weed control, riparian management, livestock and dairy production and wildlife management. Specialists serve as information sources for Extension faculty and livestock and land managers. They also conduct regional and state workshops, and demonstrational and short-term research projects.

Required Education, Experience, Certification/License, Equivalency
Candidates must have a Ph.D. in animal sciences or another related field (e.g., DVM)
• Demonstrated experience in the field of livestock production in extensive and intensive environments.
• Demonstrated communication skills, including writing and presentation skills as evidenced in the applicant's curriculum vitae.
• Experience developing peer-reviewed scholarship, Extension reports, or articles in electronic media that communicate program impacts and results.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
• Demonstrated ability to develop, deliver, and evaluate impactful extension programs.
• Demonstrated ability and willingness to effectively interact with and relate to people of all ages, incomes, education levels and ethnic backgrounds.
• Ability to work with other faculty and staff; work as a team member; work cooperatively with landowners, livestock producers, government agencies, and environmental interests; communicate effectively, both in writing and orally, with individuals and groups.
• Knowledge of teaching and learning theories and models for youth and adult audiences.

Job Duties and Responsibilities
100% Extension appointment. State-wide responsibilities will require significant travel in-state and out-of-state.
• Spearhead the development of a nationally recognized Extension and outreach program focusing on Small Ruminant Production with an emphasis on sheep and goats.
• Foster strong collaborations with Extension personnel across relevant departments and the New Mexico Wool Growers Association and New Mexico Sheep and Goat Council.
• Develop materials, teaching aids, methods and techniques for educational programs for off- campus educational programming.
• Participate in educational TV, radio and news media.
• Provide programs, training and assistance to county Extension agents in New Mexico.
• Establish a regional and national presence complimentary to the New Mexico Cooperative Extension Service.
• Acquire external funding to support, develop, and implement Extension programs.
• Maintain close working relationships with industry, statewide organizations and government agencies and other agriculture and natural resources groups.
• Actively participate in department activities by attending meetings and serving on appropriate committees.
• Other responsibilities as agreed to with the department head of Extension Animal Sciences and Natural Resources.
• Foster collaborations and participate in activities and on research teams that support the work of the Center for Excellence in Sustainable Food and Agricultural Systems (CESFAS.)
• Promote CES programs within the districts to meet LEADS 2025 goals prioritizing the program expansion to non-traditional demographics.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in reproductive physiology is preferred

Special Requirements of the Position
-Your resume/cv
-Cover letter
-Transcript
-Concise statement of Extension & outreach interests, goals and objectives for this position (2 page maximum)

Department Contact:  John Wenzel, 575-646-3019, jwenzel@nmsu.edu

Contingent Upon Funding: Not Applicable

Bargaining Unit Eligibility: This is NOT a bargaining unit position with American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

Standard Work Schedule: Standard (M-F, 8-5)

If Not a Standard Work Schedule: 

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

Environment: Work involves moderate exposure to unusual elements, such as extreme temperatures, dirt, dust, fumes, smoke, unpleasant odors, and/or loud noises.

Physical Effort: Moderate physical activity.

Lifting Requirements: Requires handling of average-weight objects up to 25 pounds or standing and/or walking for more than four (4) hours per day.

Risk: Work environment involves some exposure to hazards or physical risks, which require following basic safety precautions.