Job Description Summary
University of Maryland Extension (UME) invites applications for a 12-month tenure-track position at the Agent or Senior Agent level to conduct applied research, provide educational programming, and offer home and community food production and integrated pest management (IPM) expertise throughout Maryland.
Organizations Summary Statement
University of Maryland Extension (UME) invites applications for a 12-month tenure-track position at the Agent or Senior Agent level to conduct applied research, provide educational programming, and offer home and community food production and integrated pest management (IPM) expertise throughout Maryland. Specifically, the Extension Specialist will provide leadership in delivering educational programming to UME field faculty, Master Gardeners, community and school gardens, public agencies, nonprofits, and businesses.
Responsibilities
The Extension Specialist will be expected to respond to a broad set of needs and issues, such as soil health and fertility, plant and pest diagnostics and organic pest management, water quality and conservation, intensive production techniques, climate resilient crops and practices, and increasing food gardening access and production. The incumbent will also serve as Director of the Home & Garden Information Center (HGIC), a statewide unit that delivers digital horticulture and IPM resources and services.
Key Responsibilities:
• Develop and teach new research-based food gardening and IPM knowledge and practices • Create and communicate content on web pages and social media • Conduct surveys to assess the training and information needs of internal and external clientele in the area of urban/community food production • Lead for two statewide Master Gardener food gardening programs: Grow It Eat It and Seed to Supper • Support UME's Ask Extension team • Provide leadership for the HGIC program including program coordination and fiscal and operations oversight • Train and support field faculty, Master Gardeners, non-profits, and other partners on community and school/youth gardening and teach topics such as climate change adaptation, soil health, IPM, seed saving, and growing climate-adapted food plants popular in immigrant communities • Educate using web pages, webinars, online modules, videos, applied research, demonstrations, social media, and classes, with an emphasis on experiential learning • Discover and share new knowledge • Work with partners to identify and address emerging issues and challenges • Develop creative and scholarly activities that are validated by peers and communicated, such as educational materials published and adopted by others, Extension publications, applied research results, conference posters, and professional presentations • Secure extra-mural funding to develop an applied research program • Develop grant-funded projects to enhance and expand educational programs • Develop internal and external partnerships and collaborations with campus and field faculty, non-profits, businesses, state and local government, and community and school gardens, with a focus on cross-programming • Collect and report data to evaluate programs and show impacts
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. This position frequently presents information through vocal and written communication to individuals of various ages, socio-economic, and educational backgrounds. A routine part of this positions responsibilities would be to transport materials to and from field research plots and teaching/event locations, including loading and unloading the vehicle. The employee will frequently lift and/or move items weighing up to 20 pounds. Set up and teardown of project displays, and tables and chairs will be necessary at many teaching sites.
Requirements
To be considered for this position, applicants must have:
• A Master's degree in plant sciences, crop sciences, horticulture, environmental sciences, or related field of study • Demonstrated leadership and management abilities along with evidence of the ability to work effectively as a team member • Demonstrated experience conducting surveys and outreach education • Experience managing programs and projects • Experience setting up and conducting applied research projects • Knowledge and use of computers and electronic technology for educational programming and project management • Evidence of excellent written and verbal communication and teaching skills
Preferences
Applicants with the following qualifications are preferred:
• A Ph.D. in plant sciences, crop sciences, horticulture, environmental sciences, or related field of study • Evidence of experience working with broad audiences and all socioeconomic levels • Demonstrated ability to diagnose vegetable and fruit plant and pest problems and provide recommendations for prevention and management • Evidence of peer-reviewed journal articles, popular educational materials, and Extension publications • Demonstrated experience in grant writing and obtaining extramural funding • Evidence of skills to effectively use electronic and social media to communicate information to broad audiences • Experience working with graduate and/or undergraduate students and collaborating with non-profits
Licenses/Certifications
None
Additional Job Details
• VISA Information: Candidate must be eligible to work in the United States at the time of hiring. The department will not provide sponsorship for work-visa requirements. • Required Application Materials: All candidates must apply online at https://ejobs.umd.edu. A complete application packet includes a cover letter, CV, copies of transcripts, three examples of Extension materials and three professional references, including name, mailing address, telephone number, and e-mail address. • Best Consideration Date: 3/25/2026 • Posting Close Date: N/A • Open Until Filled: Yes • Financial Disclosure Required: Yes
Benefits Summary
For more information on Regular Faculty benefits, select this link.
Background Checks
Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information reported by the background check will not automatically disqualify anyone from employment. Before any adverse decision, the finalist will have an opportunity to provide information to the University regarding disclosable background check information. The University reserves the right to rescind the offer of employment or otherwise decline or terminate employment if the information reported by the background check is deemed incompatible with the position, regardless of when the background check is completed.
Employment Eligibility
The successful candidate must complete employment eligibility verification (on Form I-9) by presenting documents that establish identity and work authorization within the timeframe required by federal immigration law, and where applicable, to demonstrate renewed employment authorization. Failure to complete employment eligibility verification or reverification within the timeframe set forth by law may result in suspension or termination of employment.
EEO Statement
The University of Maryland, College Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment. Please read the University's Equal Employment Opportunity Statement of Policy.
Title IX Non-Discrimination Notice
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