Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist

Agency

Department

Job Description Summary

The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the Department of Horticultural Sciences at Texas A&M University seek outstanding applicants for a non-tenure track Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist position in horticultural sciences with an emphasis on grapes, tree fruits, and small fruit. This is a 12-month faculty appointment (75% Extension and 25% Research appointment). The position will be based at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Fruit Lab located in Fredericksburg, Texas.

Position Responsibilities:

• • Serve as a principal resource for horticultural information and problem solving in the Hill Country of Texas (basis for Fredericksburg location), the State of Texas, and externally to Texas, when multi-state issues arise that align with the Agency’s mission. The areas of Extension engagement will focus on grape (viticulture), tree fruit, and small fruit production, but may also support small acreage fruit and vegetable production, and home gardening clientele needs and issues.

  • Collect and synthesize information from county, regional, and statewide program development committees, clientele needs assessments, survey data, clientele organizations, and key industry leaders to guide the content, quality, and priority of programming.

  • Support county Extension agents with programming and content related to the subject matter expertise through program planning meetings, individual consultation, site visits with clientele, speaking at educational programs, and in other educational roles.

  • Coordinate with other Extension Specialists/Program Specialists, Regional Program Leaders and appropriate county agent programming efforts, support result demonstrations, and other activities when performed in counties or multi-county programs that serve this region.

  • Provide professional development opportunities and training to support agents as requested by Regional Program Leaders (RPLs), District Extension Administrators (DEAs), and Associate Department Heads (ADHs) in subject matter, issues identification, and program planning areas.

  • Work with county Extension agents and Agency leadership to develop and implement volunteer training activities.

  • To address stakeholder needs, develop an extramurally funded research program commensurate with 25% Research Appointment.

Programs:

• • Understands the type of programmatic approaches needed to meet the needs and capabilities of different audiences for effective program planning and implementation.

  • Develop and participate in disciplinary and interdisciplinary programming efforts as appropriate to adequately address the priority issues facing our stakeholders.

  • Work to effectively coordinate and integrate programs and, as appropriate, contribute to an Extension Coordinated Program Area and local county agent committees.

  • Establish and conduct an effective Extension education program for the grape, tree fruit and low growing horticulture-industries of Texas.

  • Develop and implement evaluation strategies to assess outcomes from Extension educational programs and demonstrate evidence of program impacts (i.e., knowledge gain, behavior change, adoption of new technologies and best practices, economic impact) as measured by well-designed program evaluations.

  • Establish a Hatch project and/or participate in a Multi-State Hatch Project.

  • Participate in program planning at the multi-county or regional level and convey insights to their Associate Department Head, Department Head and agency administration as appropriate.

Partnerships:

• • Provide timely and effective coordination, cooperation, and scheduling of activities with colleagues and personnel within and across Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, including but not limited to District Extension Administrators, Regional Program Leaders, Associate Department Heads/Program Leaders, other departmental or unit faculty/staff, County Extension Agents/staff, and Texas A&M AgriLife Research and College personnel.

  • Establish strong professional relationships with allied agencies/firms and commodity organizations.

  • Engage with external groups including state and federal government agencies and stakeholder organizations and other entities to better understand issues and potential partners in addressing stakeholder needs.

  • Seek state-funded and multistate grants, federal grants, gifts, fee-based programming opportunities, and other revenue sources to advance and sustain programmatic efforts in the pertinent subject areas supported by the position.

  • Hold membership in appropriate professional organizations and societies.

  • Demonstrate collegiality by serving on departmental/unit, Extension and AgriLife committees, and building effective working relationships across departments, agencies, and/or colleges.

Scholarly Efforts:

• • Communicate pertinent scientific knowledge to grape, tree fruit and low growing fruit industry stakeholders and other pertinent horticultural specialty crop producers in the Hill Country area (serving in both Extension Districts 7 and 10). 

  • Develop, implement, and evaluate innovative educational programs resources and materials (e.g., fact sheets, instruction manuals, educational videos, online courses, computer software programs, apps, etc.)

  • Conduct applied or translational research that is in line with the Extension and Research programming effort.

  • Advise/mentor graduate students to obtain Extension and Research-based research goals.

  • Publish creative and scholarly work in peer-reviewed journals appropriate to the faculty member’s subject matter area, and present research findings in relevant industry trade publications, or at grower conferences, professional meetings, or scientific symposia.

Administrative Relationships:

Extension Specialists with a professorial rank of Assistant Professor, report to an Associate Department Head and Department Head in Horticultural Sciences Department.  As applicable and deemed appropriate, Regional Program Leaders and District Extension Directors will provide input in the specialist’s annual review. The Associate Department Head and the Department Head will evaluate and have final input on all performance evaluation parameters to include extension, research and service components as this a requirement of faculty members.

Required Education and Experience:

• • Have completed or will have completed their Ph.D. in Horticulture, or a closely related discipline in the plant sciences at the time of joining.

  • Experience in grape, tree fruit, and small fruit production. 

Preferred Education and Experience:

• • Demonstrated track record of published research results in peer-reviewed journals.

  • Training in Extension or adult education methods.

  • Established track record of non peer-reviewed publication and funding procurement.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• • Excellence in verbal and written communication.

  • Team-building skills, collaboration capacity, and project management abilities.

  • Experience in the area of specialization, ability to write grant proposals to secure external funding; development and implementation of Extension programming; evidence of publishing in peer-reviewed journals; and participation in professional societies.

  • Competence in the use of personal computers; navigating communications, team collaboration, word processing and spreadsheet software; and using appropriate statistical-analysis software.

  • Ability to travel to work with industry stakeholders in support of the land grant mission. 

  • Ability to multitask and work both independently and cooperatively with others.

  • Ability to communicate and collaborate with diverse audiences including faculty, stakeholders, and other clientele.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• • Advanced knowledge and experience in grape, tree fruit and low growing fruit crops production practices.

  • Experience in conducting applied research in grape, tree fruit and low growing fruit crops transferable to effective Extension programming.

  • Evidence of scholarship through peer-reviewed scientific and/or Extension presentations and publications.

  • Expertise with modern communication strategies such as web-based publications and effective use of social media.

Location and Facilities:

The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Fruit Lab in Fredericksburg strives to address problems arising from the Texas Hill Country’s geography and climate. The city is the county seat of Gillespie County.  The population in Fredericksburg is estimated at 11,000.  The Texas Hill Country is a geographic region of Central Texas, forming the southeast part of the Edwards Plateau. Given its location, climate, terrain, and vegetation, the Texas Hill Country can be considered a remote rural countryside of Central Texas, but also is home to growing suburban neighborhoods and affluent communities.  The Texas Hill Country American Viticulture Area is the most known tourist area in Texas with Fredericksburg being home base to over 75 wineries.   Although grapes are important to the region, peaches from this area are also renowned for their great taste.  Currently, other interests are being pursued with low growing fruit plants like strawberries, blackberries and raspberries. 

The Department of Horticultural Sciences in College Station, Texas is a nationally ranked program with a mission focused on sustainability, wellness, and food security to support the economic viability, and national and global competitiveness of Texas horticulture, which contributes over $70 Billion per year to the state economy, develop the next generation of academic and industry professionals and leaders, ensure physical and mental well-being of Texans and Americans with abundant availability and access to aesthetic and nutritious horticulture crops.

Additional information about Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and Texas A&M University Department of Horticulture is available at:

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension: https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/about/who-we-are/

Texas A&M University Department of Horticulture: https://hortsciences.tamu.edu/

Review the most recent edition of the Professorial Career Ladder System for Extension Specialist Faculty for more detailed information. https://college.agrilife.org/aglsfacultyaffairs/wp-content/uploads/sites/119/2023/03/2023-Extension-Specialist-Career-Ladder-Guidelines_03.2023.pdf

Application Procedure: 

Applicants must upload a

• • Cover letter (two-page limit)

  • Transcripts

  • Curriculum vitae including a list of three references and their contact information within the CV

  • Vision statements of extension and applied research (one document including both with a two-page limit).

Applications will be reviewed beginning January 15, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled.

Direct inquiries to:

Dr. Justin Scheiner, Search Committee Chair

Department of Horticulture Sciences

Email: [email protected]

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.