Assistant/Associate Extension Professor of Horticulture and Ornamental Horticulture Specialist

The Assistant Associate Extension Professor and Ornamental Horticulture Specialist with University of Maine Cooperative Extension will provide specialized support and applied research in ornamental horticulture statewide. 

The Assistant/Associate Extension Professor will be based at the University of Maine in Orono and will develop and conduct educational programs and applied research projects throughout the state with an emphasis on Maine’s green industry. The agricultural industries in Maine to which this position will focus include floriculture, nurseries, garden centers, arboriculture, greenhouse production and clients involved in consumer horticulture. This position works with other Extension faculty, advisory boards, and commodity associations to offer programs addressing the educational needs of Maine’s landscape designers, landscape professionals, nursery growers, propagators, arborists, growers and professional gardeners. 

The specialist will conduct applied research and scholarship in collaboration with colleagues within Cooperative Extension, the UMaine School of Food and Agriculture, and others.  

 Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Designs and implements a plan of work that addresses priorities in Maine’s green industry involving ornamental horticulture. 
• Develops and delivers educational programs in support of the Ornamental Horticulture Program that align with the UMaine Cooperative Extension mission and plan of work.
• Collaborates with Extension colleagues and other agency staff to deliver programs in horticulture business and community settings. 
• Designs and delivers presentations on various ornamental horticulture topics that enhance client knowledge and capacity for applied learning. 
• Develops, adapts and implements educational resources and materials for use in education programs. 
• Teaches courses for credit (including micro-credentials) for enrolled university students, community members seeking certification and/or others.
• Assesses needs as an essential part of program planning, program implementation and grant development. 
• Secures external grants and contracts for program expansion and sustainability. 
• Builds capacity of field staff involved in agricultural production related to ornamental horticulture. 
• Provides leadership on the Extension Home Horticulture Team.
• Participates in local, state and regional program development and implementation teams. 
• Serves on organizational development and governance committees.  
• Develops a working relationship with the Maine Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station and UMaine Cooperative Extension personnel dealing with horticultural commodities. 
• Works collaboratively with other agencies, organizations, and citizens advisory groups to  uniquely address priority issues with an emphasis on greatest potential audience impact  through state-wide programs. 
• Builds and sustains relationships and collaborates with colleagues in Cooperative Extension, faculty and staff from other UMaine academic departments, and faculty and staff throughout the UMaine System and community partners.
• Engages in applied research and disseminates the results. Partners as necessary and appropriate with fellow staff and colleagues.
• Interprets research findings with faculty working with subject area curriculum/program teams and advisory groups.
• Communicates outcomes, impacts, and public values to a variety of audiences (including legislators, funders, consumers, and other decision makers). 
• Compiles and submits reports as requested or required (Civil Rights, Program Impact, and Plan-of-Work).
• Develops and sustains a professional development plan in support of one’s professional, organizational and plan of work priorities. 
• Hires, trains, and supervises professionals, hourly, and/or student employees as appropriate, including conducting or participating in required performance evaluations, and providing safety and environmental management oversight.
• Utilizes coaching and mentoring methods, which provide an environment that is anticipatory, supportive, and encourages constructive feedback on performance.
• Seeks ways to reach under-served and under-represented community members while ensuring compliance with affirmative action, equal opportunity, and civil rights guidelines.
• Commits to organizational improvement by identifying opportunities to improve and  recommending possible alternatives for the situation. 
• Participates in Extension staff meetings as appropriate. 
• Participates in organizational program meetings to support program development that affects the ornamental horticulture programs.
• Performs other related duties upon request.