MSU Field Crops Agronomist Educator

As part of MSU Extension (MSUE) and the Agriculture and Agribusiness Institute (AABI), this position provides leadership and expertise in field crop production. This position will have statewide responsibilities and will collaborate across work teams, Institutes and community groups, for advancement clientele needs.

In this position, you will identify, design, implement and evaluate programs that meet outreach needs related to sustainable production of field crops, including corn, soybeans, wheat, dry beans, and sugar beets. Through your leadership, you will act as a subject matter specialist and work to design, implement, deliver and evaluate programming to meet high priority needs. This will include an on-going soybean research program, in collaboration with MSUE field staff and commodity partners, and developing programming related to the adoption of precision agriculture technologies. Additionally, work includes crop and pest scouting, reporting information to the industry, and troubleshooting field level challenges.

You will be expected to develop a broad array of educational materials, including news articles, videos, infographics, etc. Teaching methods will range from traditional one on one or small group teaching, in-person meetings to using different forms of synchronous and asynchronous distance learning technologies.

Through collaboration in research, engagement with clientele, and dissemination of research through various methods, including in-person and multimedia programming and written communications, you will implement programs that lead to knowledge and behaviors that improve the efficiency and sustainability of field crop production. You will also develop, produce, and deliver outreach with content that is accessible and inclusive and is consistent with AABI messaging.

Office space is available for this position to work from one of MSUE’s offices in the “Saginaw Bay” region of Michigan. This position may be eligible to utilize a flexible work environment. The needs, responsibilities, and opportunities of an individual’s position and office location drive the ability and amount of work-location flexibility.

• Bachelor's degree in crop science, horticulture, soil science, entomology, plant pathology, animal science, or related field must be earned by date of hire, with an expectation to complete a Master’s degree within a specified time frame; or Master’s degree in crop science, horticulture, soil science, entomology, plant pathology, or related field.