Position Description

Oregon State University Division of Extension and Engagement and the Extension Agriculture & Natural Resources Program invite applications for an Extension Horticulture Assistant Professor of Practice position located at the OSU Extension Service Umatilla County Office in Milton-Freewater, Oregon. This is a full-time, 12-month, fixed-term position serving Umatilla County.

This Assistant Professor (Practice) position is with the division’s Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources program and will have the academic home of the Department of Horticulture in the OSU College of Agricultural Sciences. This academic faculty member will have principal responsibility for needs assessment; for development, delivery, and evaluation of Extension non-credit program and educational material; and for conducting applied research to support Extension activities.

This Assistant Professor (Practice) provides leadership in the development, implementation, synthesis, and evaluation of Extension and applied research in commercial horticulture in Umatilla County. Specific goals are to work with producers (largely wine grape, tree fruit, and annual crop producers), processors, and packinghouses. This position requires working cooperatively with landowners, state and local agencies, organizations, and the general public to maintain agricultural management systems that meet producers’ goals and objectives while complementing the goals of the local communities.

Key Responsibilities:

Utilize Oregon State University’s Quality Teaching Framework – which emphasizes inclusivity (audience consideration), evidence-based teaching practices (planning, engagement, teaching, assessment), and learner mentorship (reflection and learner support) – to deliver high-quality, non-credit educational experiences for Extension audiences.
Conduct on-going needs-assessment activities to determine the educational needs specific to this position’s broad and diverse audiences.
Develop networks of formal and informal interest groups in subject matter areas where appropriate. Utilize partnerships with diverse interest groups to provide advisory support and to enhance program quality and delivery. This will likely include appropriate commodities and/or producer organizations.
Determine Extension program needs and priorities through use of local advisory groups, commodity commissions and other stakeholder groups, and meetings with applicable industry leaders. Evaluate effectiveness and impact of Extension non-credit education programs and refine to meet changing needs.
Conduct applied research activities that support Extension programming as well as demonstration trials to develop or confirm management practices in areas of specific need and clientele interest.
Develop annual plans of work that address educational needs as well as evaluate the quality and impact of Extension non-credit educational and applied research programs materials and digital communications.
Assigned duties for this position are expected to result in scholarly outcomes.

Working Conditions/Schedule:

Extension teaching and applied research activities may take place outdoors and other settings such as field conditions, including inclement weather.
Flexibility to perform work in a variety of office and work settings. Mornings, evenings and weekends may be required based on responsibilities, events and other non-credit educational programming needs.

Required Qualifications

• Master of Science degree in horticulture, agronomy, crop science, soil science, or another discipline that addresses the duties of the position. Degree must be completed by application date.
• Demonstrated experience providing adult education.
• Demonstrated evidence of teaching, specifically non-credit education, in commercial horticulture.
• Experience conducting applied research related to the assignments of this position.
• 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 in this position.
• A commitment to collaborative and respectful learning and working environments that are safe, inclusive, and welcoming.
• Ability to work as a team member with other professionals and volunteers.
• Ability to incorporate multiple cultural perspectives in educational design and delivery.
• Demonstrated ability to cultivate and maintain collaborations that include individuals with a diversity of expertise, skills, and backgrounds.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with ability to successfully engage with broad and diverse audiences in a culturally responsible manner.
• 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 communications tools and systems, including websites, email newsletters, social media, and other tools in a changing technological environment.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and evidence of good time management skills.

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 driver's license in their state of residence, be determined to be position qualified and self-report convictions as per University Policy 05-030.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Extension or other informal education delivery methods.
• Experience or training in modern precision agriculture tools and management techniques.
• Pest management training or experience and familiarity with pesticide registration procedures.
• Experience applying agricultural pesticides and/or fertilizers.
• Experience with digital engagement strategies, including use of online content, multimedia, email campaigns, customer relationship management systems or marketing methods.
• Experience working with program advisory committees.
• Ability to conduct data analysis with statistical software (e.g., SAS, R, Statistix).
• Ability to secure external funding to support applied research and educational programs.

Travel Requirements

The position requires travel/driving to deliver non-credit educational programming and services throughout the assigned county, as necessary

Driver’s license or alternate transportation required?

yes

Application Instructions

To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by September 16, 2026. Applications will continue to be accepted after the full consideration date, until a sufficient applicant pool has been achieved or the position is filled. The closing date of September 30, 2026 is subject to change without notice to applicants.

When applying you will be required to attach the following electronic 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.