Job Details

Assistant Professor of Practice
Go to our website »

Position Number: 5958937
Location: Klamath Falls, OR
Position Type: Agriculture - Animal Science

Assistant Professor of Practice

Oregon State University

Department: An/RngSci Extn Field Fac (ASC)
Appointment Type: Academic Faculty
Job Location: Klamath Falls
Recommended Full-Time Salary Range: $57,000 - $80,000

Job Summary:

The Division of Extension and Engagement and the Extension Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources Program invite applications for a full-time (1.00 FTE), 12-month, fixed-term Assistant Professor of Practice position for the Department of Animal and Rangeland Sciences. Reappointment is at the discretion of the Regional Director, Department Head, and Program Leader.

This is a full-time, 12-month, fixed-term, Assistant Professor of Practice position to be stationed at the OSU Division of Extension and Engagements (division) Extension Klamath County Office in Klamath Falls, Oregon. The academic home for this position will be the Department of Animal and Rangeland Sciences in the College of Agricultural Sciences at Oregon State University. This faculty member reports to the Regional Director assigned to the Southern region. Reappointment is at the discretion of the supervision team, which includes the Southern Regional Director, Department Head, and the Extension Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources Program Leader. Active contributions to scholarship are required (refer to the scholarship section, below, for details).

As a land grant institution committed to teaching, research, and outreach and engagement, Oregon State University (OSU) mission is to promote economic, social, cultural and environmental progress for the people of Oregon, the nation and the world. This position contributes to the mission of the College of Agricultural Sciences, with principal responsibility for needs assessment, Extension program and educational material development, delivery, and evaluation, and for conducting applied research to support Extension activities.

The purpose of this position is to provide leadership in the development, implementation, synthesis, and evaluation of Extension and applied research in livestock, forages and rangeland production systems for stakeholders in the assigned county.

This position is responsible for designing, developing, maintaining and/or carrying out educational programs and outreach activities to serve broad and diverse populations in an accessible, inclusive, equitable, and socially just manner. This includes complying with civil rights and language/visual access regulations.

Oregon State University is committed to practicing and delivery of tools for state-of-the-science interaction and engagement of partners and stakeholders. This faculty member is required to use modern learning and outreach tools including online and hybrid classes, multimedia and digital communications, employ and practice engaged scholarship, promote integration of programs across disciplines that are demand-driven and use open-source tools that continually align with innovation and shifts in educational program delivery. These activities will be included in the annual plan of work, impact statements, and summary of accomplishments/achievements.

The division has built the capacity and expectation for employees to use digital communications and technologies in the modern-day workplace. This reflects our demonstrable commitment to using digital communications tools and changing technologies as a primary way to raise Oregonians awareness of and engagement with our organization, programs and resources.

College of Agricultural Sciences faculty are committed to enhancing learner success by engaging them in quality academic, research, internships, global studies, and other experiential learning opportunities. Positions with primary responsibility for Extension and Engagement are likewise committed to learner success through programming appropriate for broad and diverse audiences.

Active and effective communication with colleagues and key stakeholders is critical to the success of this position. This position requires traveling

About Klamath:

Klamath County is one of 36 counties in Oregon and is in south central Oregon. The faculty, staff, and trained volunteers of the OSU Extension Service in Klamath County work alongside local partners to provide educational workshops, activities, and services tailored to the unique industries, natural resources, and people in the Klamath County communities. To learn more about OSU Extension Klamath County, visit: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/klamath.

About the Extension Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (ASNR) Program:

The ASNR program aims to promote improvements in the economic, environmental and social well-being of Oregon residents. The ASNR program serves broad and diverse audiences in Oregon communities having specialized interests by delivering information through faculty who have a presence in 36 county offices, 11 branch agricultural experiment stations at 14 locations, and who represent 11 academic departments at Oregon State University. To learn more about our ASNR program, please visit: https://agsci.oregonstate.edu/main/agricultural-sciences-and-natural-resources-extension-program.

About the Division of Extension and Engagement (division):
The Division of Extension and Engagement (division) is core to Oregon State Universitys mission. The Division helps create real solutions and positive impact across Oregon and beyond. The division is aligned under the leadership of the Vice Provost for Extension and Engagement. To learn more about our division and its core units and initiatives, please visit: https://engagement.oregonstate.edu/.

Oregon State University strives to ensure that all educational programs, services, activities, and materials we offer to the public are identified, developed, delivered, and evaluated in an accessible, inclusive, equitable, and socially just manner. OSU divisions educational programs, services, activities, and materials are available to all people. OSU division prohibits discrimination in all its programs, services, activities, and materials. All employees are responsible for and expected to comply with Civil Rights obligations and actively work to expand access to all eligible populations.

Why OSU?

Working for Oregon State University is so much more than a job!

Oregon State University is a dynamic community of dreamers, doers, problem-solvers and change-makers. We dont wait for challenges to present themselves - we seek them out and take them on. We welcome students, faculty and staff from every background and perspective into a community where everyone feels seen and heard. We have deep-rooted mindfulness for the natural world and all who depend on it, and together, we apply knowledge, tools and skills to build a better future for all.

FACTS:

Top 1.4% university in the world
More research funding than all public universities in Oregon combined
1 of 3 land, sea, space and sun grant universities in the U.S.
2 campuses, 11 colleges, 12 experiment stations, and Extension programs in all 36 counties
7 cultural resource centers that offer education, celebration and belonging for everyone
100+ undergraduate degree programs, 80+ graduate degrees plus hundreds of minor options and certificates
35k+ students including more than 2.3k international students and 10k students of color
217k+ alumni worldwide
For more interesting facts about OSU visit: https://oregonstate.edu/about

Locations:

Oregon State has a statewide presence with campuses in Corvallis and Bend, the OSU Portland Center and the Hatfield Marine Science Center on the Pacific Coast in Newport.

Oregon States beautiful, historic and state-of-the-art main campus is located in one of Americas best college towns. Corvallis is located close to the Pacific Ocean, the Cascade mountains and Oregon wine country. Nestled in the heart of the Willamette Valley, this beautiful city offers miles of mountain biking and hiking trails, a river perfect for boating or kayaking and an eclectic downtown featuring local cuisine, popular events and performances.

Total Rewards Package:

Oregon State University offers a comprehensive benefits package with benefits eligible positions that is designed to meet the needs of employees and their families including:
Medical, Dental, Vision and Basic Life. OSU pays 95% of premiums for you and your eligible dependents.
Free confidential mental health and emotional support services, and counseling resources.
Retirement savings paid by the university.
A generous paid leave package, including holidays, vacation and sick leave.
Tuition reduction benefits for you or your qualifying dependents at OSU or the additional six Oregon Public Universities.
Robust Work Life programs including Dual Career assistance resources, flexible work arrangements, a Family Resource Center, Affinity Groups and an Employee Assistance Program.
Optional lifestyle benefits such as pet, accident, and critical illness insurance, giving you peace of mind and the support you need to thrive in all aspects of your life.

Future and current OSU employees can use the Benefits Calculator to learn more about the full value of the benefits provided at OSU.

Key Responsibilities

70% - Extension Programming

a) Extension Teaching

Utilize Oregon State Universitys six principles of teaching excellence that include audience consideration, planning, enhanced engagement, teaching, assessment, and reflection to provide a high level of non-credit teaching for extension audiences.
Conduct on-going needs-assessment activities to determine the educational needs specific to this positions audiences.
Following a prioritized needs assessment, develop, facilitate, and implement a comprehensive livestock production and pasture management and forages related to livestock production in Klamath County to meet the needs of agricultural producers.
Facilitate the education of the public using research-based information related to livestock systems (cow-calf, feedlot, dairy, sheep), irrigated pasture production, rangelands, and natural resources as they pertain to production agriculture and farm and ranch management using newsletters, programs and meetings, site visits, field tours, private consultations, and other forms of media that may include multiple methods of electronic communication, including websites, publications, video conferencing, hybrid teaching, all Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) formats, and other digital/online methods for internal and external collaboration and/or information dissemination as appropriate.
Use effective Extension teaching methods to develop, design, and deliver extension education programs focused on value-added production (beef, dairy, and sheep) through all segments of their respective industries so as to meet clientele needs, with materials, methods, and outcomes shared with peers in the state, region, and/or nation.
Design culturally inclusive and socially cognizant materials for extension non-credit programs that can be offered centrally or online to maximize client participation across the designated region.
Design or adapt a clear evaluation protocol to evaluate and to report extension program impacts locally, statewide, regionally and/or nationally.
Use technology as a tool to increase the reach and impact of program delivery for constituents including participating in Ask-Extension and using the divisions customer relationship management system (CRM).
Develop and maintain efficient methods for addressing high volumes of topically repetitive clientele inquiries regarding livestock production and natural resource management, forages and pasture management. These methods should include scholarly outputs like Extension publications, videos, and other digital communications and engagement tools and strategies. Develop information for access by audiences with different communication styles and expectations.
Follow OSU and division brand guidelines, digital publishing standards and digital contact management data integrity practices for programmatic communications, marketing and engagement.
Extension teaching may also involve providing one-on-one consultation and educational programs to intended audiences which include both adults and youth audiences.
Engage and contribute to opportunities to enhance access, inclusion, and relevant best practices and include these activities in the annual plan of work, impact statements, summary of accomplishments/achievements, and promotion dossiers.
Create accessible and inclusive environments that make space for a range of learner needs and provide reasonable accommodations.
Solicit peer teaching evaluations and community evaluations of teaching as per OSU Extension standards.
Conduct and coordinate local pesticide recertification efforts for stakeholders as well as respond to any pesticide related questions from the public.
Maintain Oregon Department of Agriculture Pesticide Consultant License throughout employment to stay up to date with the science of pesticides.
Travel/driving is required to access and engage stakeholders throughout the assigned region.

b) Partnerships/Collaboration/Networking

Develop networks of formal and informal interest groups in subject matter areas where appropriate. Utilize partnerships with broad and diverse interest groups to provide advisory support and to enhance program quality and delivery. This will likely include Sustainable Northwest, Klamath Watershed Partnership, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Klamath Cattlemens Association, Klamath County CattleWomen, and others.
Determine Extension program needs and priorities through use of local advisory groups, commodity commissions and other stakeholder groups, and meetings with livestock and forages industry leaders. Evaluate effectiveness and impact of Extension education programs and refine to meet changing needs.
Collaborate with research and Extension faculty at the Klamath Basin Research and Extension Center on research in range and livestock production systems and value-added production of beef cattle and sheep.
Collaborate with the Lake County Agriculture Educator to develop and deliver comprehensive educational programs in Lake County, focusing on livestock production, pasture management, and forage systems related to livestock operations.
Serve in an advisory role and provide researched based information to appropriate local working groups and soil and water conservation districts as needed.
Engage with community-based and regional organizations to support innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic development within local, regional, or state boundaries as appropriate.
Work cooperatively with Extension statewide faculty, department heads, and other faculty and staff to provide instruction, teach, or deliver all educational programs and materials, and to maintain contact with producer groups.

c) Accountability

Develop annual plans of work that address educational needs as well as evaluate the quality and impact of Extension educational and applied research programs materials and digital communications.
Measure and report regularly on program impact in the Faculty Success online platform.
Implement fee-based programming and cost-recovery practices to support and enhance program delivery.
Serve as a team member of the livestock/range/forages Extension working groups, as well as other workgroups related to the duties of this position.
Keep records and provide necessary reports to Extension Administration, the department and/or college, including plans of work, narrative reports, impact statements, statistical reports, and reports of accomplishments.
Report outputs and outcomes to Extension regional directors and elected officials (where applicable) in the areas served.
Provide community and statewide opinion leaders and decision makers with relevant, science-based topical information when requested.
Utilize appropriate and effective methods of communication to promote Extension programs and market Extension across Oregon and nationally.
Attend training opportunities to build basic knowledge and consistent skills to use digital communications, marketing, and engagement technologies relevant to position duties.
Complete the divisions civil rights training session(s).

15% - Applied Research

Conduct appropriate applied research activities that support Extension programming to develop or confirm management practices in areas of specific need and clientele interest.
Evaluate and document applied research and Extension impacts of programs and communicate the results to intended audiences.
Communicate applied research progress and outcomes to relevant audiences using peer reviewed publications, professional meetings, commodity group presentations, extension events and other digital communication and engagement tools and systems.
Design or adapt a clear evaluation protocol to evaluate and report applied research program impacts.
Individually and as part of teams, secure outside grants, and contracts and/or service fees to support and enhance position-appropriate educational and applied research programs and service activities. The faculty member will be expected to meet all reporting requirements of the funding sources, department, college, and university.
Keep abreast of, and interpret scientific, technological and industry developments and trends at state, regional, national, and international levels.

10% - Scholarship

Assigned duties for this position are expected to result in scholarly outcomes. Refer to section V of the OSU Faculty Handbook on Promotion and Tenure: https://facultyaffairs.oregonstate.edu/faculty-handbook/promotion-and-tenure-guidelines#Practice

Discover new knowledge and develop creative solutions and applications for problems related to aspects to livestock systems (cow-calf, feedlot, dairy, sheep), irrigated pasture/forage production, and rangelands.

Research discoveries should be communicated to the scientific community, Extension audiences, and practitioners using innovative and contemporary tools in both oral and written venues, including web-based formats. Communication may include refereed journal articles, Extension publications, presentations to state, regional, and national commodity and professional groups, media, and other outlets as appropriate.

Scholarly and creative work is intellectual work whose significance is validated by peers and that is communicated. Emphasis in scholarship should be placed on outcomes that recognize activities as a professional practitioner in community settings as defined by the incumbents position description.

To achieve promotion, scholarship for this position must include peer reviewed materials that are durable and findable in the web environment. These are typically of the two types shown below but as our communication worlds change, other types of scholarship may fit these durability and findable criteria:

Publications in peer-reviewed journals which might encompass description and evaluation of novel community-based professional practice or research application, program development and innovation, outcomes of innovative programs and/or services, definitive professional practice reviews, or case reports, among others.
Authorship of extension publications, local or regional "practice" publications, book chapters, other educational materials, and digital media if it is either peer reviewed before dissemination or if there is evidence of its adoption and use by peers.

To achieve promotion, there must be an on-going record that both of these types of scholarship are being done though each does not need to be present in every year of record. Documentation must also be provided that shows these scholarly outputs have had an impact. These durable, web-findable materials may be augmented by other forms of peer validation such as the following:

Invited presentations, poster and podium presentations, and published abstracts and/or proceedings at state, regional and national levels, provided that evidence of peer validation is provided.
Documented impact due to local or regional adoption of improved practices, methods, or programs.
Secured competitive grants and contracts appropriate for the scope and focus of the faculty members position.
Named inventor of a protected intellectual property in the faculty members field.
Recognition as a professional practitioner in community settings as demonstrated by
- honorary degrees
- awards recognizing community, professional and/or scientific achievements
- fellowships in national professional and/or scientific organizations
- requests to serve as a technical advisor to government agencies, industry, or professional groups

Best practice to ensure scholarship is durable and web-findable:

Participating in the periodic review of published website content for accuracy, readability and relevancy
Utilizing library and open-source resources for cataloging, citing and archiving
Tagging, curating, descriptive titles and other methods to ensure scholarship displays where and how web visitors may look for it
Sharing with peers, partners and media to encourage links to it from other websites and media sources

Best practice is to ensure an inclusive scholarship:

Including diverse perspectives on the research team, particularly among co-principal investigators
Emphasizing diversity to address broadening participation in grant proposals
Writing articles and books that address issues of diversity/social justice
Presenting conference papers on issues of diversity/social justice
Increasing the diversity of students who serve as research assistants

5% - Service

Be actively involved in regional and statewide Extension programs that promote engagement with communities across the state.
Cooperate with agencies and organizations in Oregon and other relevant locations within the Southern region.
Serve on College, Departmental, and/or Extension committees.
Maintain active membership and involvement in professional organizations.
Attend training opportunities to build basic knowledge and consistent skills to use digital communications, marketing and engagement technologies relevant to position duties.
Provide mentorship for newer faculty and students where applicable.
Assist in cohesive marketing of Extension locally, regionally, and statewide.

What You Will Need

Degree requirements:
- Bachelors degree in Animal Sciences, Rangeland Science, Agronomy or related field.
- Master of Science degree in Animal Sciences, Rangeland Science, Agronomy or another discipline that addresses the duties of the position. Degree must be completed by the start date.
Strong background and experience in livestock, irrigated forage and/or rangeland systems.
Demonstrated teaching skills that are appropriate for adult learners.
Evidence of strong verbal and written communication skills, with ability to communicate successfully with a broad and diverse audience.
Must have or be able to obtain an Oregon Department of Agriculture Pesticide Consultant License within six months of employment and maintain it throughout employment.
General knowledge and ability to use computers, including proficiency with information technology, professional office software and collaborative work platforms.
Ability to learn and adapt to using multiple forms of digital communication systems, including websites, email newsletters, social media, and other tools in a changing technological environment.
Ability to work as a team member with other professionals.
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
Ability to gather, interpret and communicate broad-based scientific information clearly and effectively with community and industry stakeholders.
Must possess a basic working knowledge about how to conduct applied research in a field of study related to this position and its duties.
A commitment to collaborative and respectful learning and working environments that are safe, inclusive, and welcoming.

This position is designated as a critical or security-sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a criminal history check and be determined to be position qualified as per University Standard: 05-010 et seq. Incumbents are required to self-report convictions and those in youth programs may have additional criminal history checks every 24 months.

This position requires driving a university vehicle or a personal vehicle on behalf of the university; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a motor vehicle history check, possess and maintain a current, valid drivers license in their state of residence, be determined to be position qualified and self-report convictions as per University Policy 05-030.

What We Would Like You to Have

Demonstrated experience with rangeland-based beef cattle and sheep production and irrigated forage management.
Experience with Extension or other informal education delivery methods.
Demonstrated understanding of the role of program advisory committees.
Demonstrated knowledge of the cattle feeding and meat processing industries.
Experience working with water quality issues related to livestock production systems including Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs).
Experience dealing with management challenges associated with invasive species on rangelands.
Ability to secure external funding to support applied research and educational programs.
Ability to incorporate multiple cultural perspectives in educational design and delivery.

Working Conditions / Work Schedule

Extension teaching and applied research activities will take place outdoors, on farms, research stations, and other settings, including inclement weather.
Flexibility to work early mornings, evenings, and weekends.
The position requires travel/driving to provide educational programming and services throughout assigned county and in the Southern region, as necessary.

Special Instructions to Applicants

When applying you will be required to attach the following digital documents:

1. Curriculum Vitae: Finalists will be required to give an open presentation which may include the distribution of their redacted curriculum vitae and a short biography

2. Cover letter that addresses each required qualification

You will also be required to submit the names of at least three professional references, their e-mail addresses and telephone numbers as part of the application process.

Starting salary within the salary range will be commensurate with skills, education, and experience.

For additional information please contact: Gordon Jones, gordon.jones@oregonstate.edu

OSU commits to inclusive excellence by advancing equity and diversity in all that we do. We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, and particularly encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ community members, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community.

OSU will conduct a review of the National Sex Offender Public website prior to hire.

OSU is a fair chance employer committed to inclusive hiring. We encourage applications from candidates who bring a wide range of lived experience including involvement with the justice system. This job has "critical or security-sensitive" responsibilities. If you are selected as a finalist, your initial job offer will be contingent upon the results of a job-related pre-employment check (such as a background check, motor vehicle history check, sexual misconduct reference check, etc.). Background check results do not automatically disqualify a candidate. Take a look at our Background Checks website including the for candidates section for more details. If you have questions or concerns about the pre-employment check, please contact OSUs Employee and Labor Relations team at employee.relations@oregonstate.edu.

To apply, please visit: https://jobs.oregonstate.edu/postings/164063