Assistant Professor & Extension Specialist - Wildlife Management

Job Title

Assistant Professor & Extension Specialist - Wildlife Management

Agency

Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Service

Department

Rangeland, Wildlife, and Fisheries Management

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

Stephenville, Texas

Job Type

Faculty

Job Description

Extension Specialists serve as subject matter experts and use their expertise to fulfill the mission of the Agency, providing support to the Extension network at the county, district, region, and state levels. Extension Specialists both individually and in team settings plan, coordinate, develop, implement, and evaluate curricula extension education programs, and educational resources. Additionally, they are expected to perform scholarly work including, but not limited to, applied research related to their subject matter area.

POSITION:

The Department of Rangeland, Wildlife, and Fisheries Management (RWFM) and its extension unit are pleased to invite applications for an Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist – Wildlife Management position. The department addresses practical issues affecting rangelands, wildlife, and fisheries management through applied science. We are eager to add another outstanding individual to our growing extension unit. This is a non-tenure-track appointment with 100% Extension responsibilities, but there will be ample opportunities to collaborate with our teaching and research faculty on topics of common interest. Review of applications will begin immediately.

Roles and responsibilities of Assistant Professors and Extension Specialists are typically as follows, but can vary depending on the department and expectations of the Associate Department Head, Department Head/Unit Leader and/or Agency leadership:

Responsibilities:

People

• Collect and synthesize information from county, regional, and statewide program development committees, clientele needs assessments, trend data, clientele organizations, and key industry leaders to guide the content, quality, and priority of programming
• Support 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 RPLs and appropriate agents programming efforts, result/demonstrations, and other activities when performed in counties
• Provide professional development opportunities and trainings and mentor and coach 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 Agents and Agency leadership to develop and implement volunteer training activities.

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
• 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
• Participate in program planning at the multi-county or regional level and convey insights to their ADH or unit leader as appropriate

Partnerships

• Provide timely and effective coordination, cooperation, and scheduling of activities with colleagues and personnel within Extension and across AgriLife, 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 AgriLife Research and College personnel.
• Engage with external groups including state and federal government agencies and stakeholder organizations and other entities to better understand issues and potential partner in addressing stakeholder needs.
• Seek grants, contacts, and other revenue sources to advance and sustain programmatic efforts in the subject area
• Member of professional organizations and societies
• Demonstrate collegiality by serving on departmental/unit, Extension and AgriLife committees, and demonstrating a track record of building effective working relationships across departments, agencies, and/or colleges

Scholarly Efforts

• 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 programming effort
• Publish creative and scholarly work in refereed journals appropriate to the faculty member’s subject matter area, and present research findings at relevant industry meetings, professional meetings, or conferences
• Support academic pursuits in the subject matter area through activities such as guest lectures, undergraduate student mentorship, student club activities, student competitive team activities, graduate student mentorship, and serving on graduate student committees.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Develop program in area of expertise, but there is a need to mitigate agricultural damage caused by wildlife, including predators and especially invasive animals like feral swine.
• Collaboration with and support of county extension agents and other Extension colleagues is required, and reciprocal support can help specialists understand local needs and establish relationships with private landowners.
• Work with private landowners, state and federal agencies, and other relevant partners in a collaborative and collegial manner is essential to the success of this position.
• Develop a nationally recognized Extension program focusing within area of expertise while incorporating the management of predators, effective control approaches and strategies that reduce agricultural damages.
• Collaborate with state and federal agencies (e.g. APHIS/TWS, TPWD, USFWS), NGOs (East Foundation, Welder Wildlife Foundation), regional universities (TAMU-Kingsville, Sul Ross State University), and other entities across Texas to achieve common wildlife management goals.
• Build relationships with groups like these and with other surrounding states that may be dealing with similar challenges in wildlife conservation.
• Other duties as required.

Required Education and Experience:

• Ph.D. in Wildlife Management, Ecology, Conservation or related field is required.

Preferred Experience:

• Evidence of applied research and translating results relevant to private and public stakeholders
• Experience in area of specialization

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent managerial skills.
• Ability to multi task and work cooperatively with others.
• 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 is required.

For More Detailed Information:

Review the most recent edition of the Professorial Career Ladder System for Extension Specialist Faculty for more detailed information.

Reporting Line:

Extension Specialists and Program Specialists, depending on their home unit, report to an Associate Department Head and respective Department Head or Unit Leader. As applicable Regional Program Leaders and Program Area Coordinators will provide input in the specialist’s annual review.

APPLICATION PROCESS: Applicants must submit: (1) a cover letter of interest, (2) detailed curriculum vitae, (3) no more than a two-page statement of an Extension/applied research plan, (4) a transcript of all course work (unofficial) and (5) contact information for three professional references who can provide a critical evaluation of the applicant’s qualifications. For questions, email inquiries to the attention of Dr. James Cathey, Natural Resources Institute, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, via Ms. Theresa Nemec e-mail:[email protected]

Continued employment in this position is contingent upon availability of funds.

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/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer.