Assistant/Associate/Full Extension Specialist

The School of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences in the College of Agriculture, Life & Environmental Sciences seeks outstanding candidates for an Academic Professional as a Livestock Extension Specialist, Assistant/Associate or Full rank (based on qualifications). The position is a 9-month tenure/tenure-eligible appointment with 60% Extension, 30% research and 10% service responsibilities. Candidates must have a Ph.D. in animal sciences, animal nutrition, animal genetics or another related field (e.g., DVM). It is expected that the successful applicant will conduct collaborative research and extension programs with an emphasis on beef cattle but also on small ruminants. This position is located in the Verde Valley of Arizona, with regular travel throughout the state.

We respectfully acknowledge the University of Arizona is on the land and territories of Indigenous peoples. Today, Arizona is home to 22 federally recognized tribes, with Tucson being home to the O'odham and the Yaqui. Committed to diversity and inclusion, the University strives to build sustainable relationships with sovereign Native Nations and Indigenous communities through education offerings, partnerships, and community service.

Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more!

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A. Program Development:

• Deliver statewide Extension programming that is industry-responsive, proactive, and related to management of livestock.
• Execute organized research and Extension efforts, conducted in cooperation with other statewide faculty, county Extension faculty, and federal and state agency representatives.
• Identify community assets, program needs, and outreach education opportunities through evaluation of field research, state-wide data, and other resources/input.
• Engage with Arizona livestock
  stakeholders and community to align programming and research with
  stakeholder/community needs.

B. Extramural funding:

• The successful candidate is expected to write grants and obtain extramural funding to support program activities from federal, state, local sources, commodity associations, and industry.
• Excellence will be demonstrated by measuring and documenting outcomes and impacts of the Extension program and by contributions to the discipline of animal sciences.

C. Leadership:

• Provide leadership and national recognition for independent and collaborative scholarly activity and excellence in Cooperative Extension.
• Provide leadership in statewide livestock programming
  efforts in conjunction with county and tribal faculty/staff.
• The candidate is expected to collaborate with existing faculty members and scientists from other disciplines, both on and off campus, to increase the impact and visibility of the animal science program.
• Opportunity to mentor and train
  undergraduate and graduate students and interns.

D. Publications:

• Scholarly and creative outputs, including impactful intellectual works that are communicated to appropriate audiences, are expected from the faculty in this position; examples include but are not limited to, peer-reviewed journal and Extension publications, workshops, field days, and media.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to conduct large animal research and/or
  production livestock research.
• Ability to travel as needed.
• Demonstrated Extension, teaching, applied research and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated capacity for teamwork in
  interdisciplinary environment.
• Demonstrated written and oral communication skills including the effective use of media.
• Demonstrated ability to lead groups and to plan, organize, evaluate, manage, and delegate details associated with program management.
• Ability to work independently with evidence of good time management skills.
• Understand the need for and knowledge of how to secure external funding support for research and Extension.
• Commitment to unit, college, and institutional values to advance diversity and inclusion.

• Ph.D. in animal science, animal nutrition, animal genetics or another related field, (e.g., DVM)
• Livestock handling experience.
• Experience collaborating in teams providing organizational structure and support for a variety of individuals and groups to achieve positive educational extension outcomes.
• Track record of securing external research funding (as appropriate with rank).
• A valid U.S. driver's license is required upon employment to accommodate statewide travel for Extension program delivery or research activities, and the ability to drive according to the University Fleet Safety Policy.

• Extension experience providing effective instruction, support, and promotion for educational programs.
• Experience in needs assessment and program evaluation.
• Experience using computer technology to market programs and communicate with stakeholders and clientele.
• Experience with public lands grazing management.

Dr. Douglas Scott Merrell

Director, Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences

dscottmerrell@arizona.edu