Job Type: Permanent
Salary Details: Salary is commensurate with skills, education and experience.
Deadline: May 15, 2023

Oregon State University College of Agricultural Sciences’ Department of Horticulture Extension invites applications for a Statewide Master Gardener Program Manager position. This is a full-time, 12-month, professional faculty position located in Corvallis, Oregon.

Position Summary
This Extension Statewide Master Gardener Program Manager position will have a statewide assignment and will report to the Extension Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources Program Leader.

The Statewide Master Gardener Program Manager position provides leadership, guidance, and direction for the leadership of the Extension Master Gardener (EMG) program and works with and advises the Oregon Master Gardener Association. This Statewide Master Gardener Program Manager works cooperatively with administrative leadership and county-based Extension employees to determine programmatic needs and provides appropriate support, facilitation and linkages to university and external resources including marketing and promotion of the core programs. This individual coordinates with statewide and regional community horticulture faculty and staff to support non-credit curricula development whereby volunteers learn and integrate best management practices in areas to include: sustainable horticulture, plant and insect identification, native species conservation, climate change, local food production, soil health, plant diagnostics, pollinator health, adaptive and accessible gardening, and cultural connection. The Statewide EMG Manger provides supervision and lead work for Seed to Supper. More information can be found here: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/mg 

OSU is committed to practicing and delivery of tools for state-of-the-science interaction and engagement of partners and stakeholders. This faculty member is required to use modern learning tools including online and hybrid classes, employ and practice engaged scholarship, promote integration of programs across disciplines that are demand-driven and use open-source tools that continually align with innovation and shifts in educational program delivery.

College of Agricultural Sciences faculty are committed to enhancing student/learner success by engaging them in quality academic, research, internships, global studies, and other experiential learning opportunities. Positions with primary responsibility for Extension and Engagement are likewise committed to student/learner success through programming appropriate for diverse audiences. Active and effective communication with colleagues and key stakeholders is critical to the success of this position. This position will require traveling.

About the division
The Division of Extension and Engagement (Division) is core to Oregon State University’s mission. The Division helps create real solutions and positive impact across Oregon and beyond. The Division is aligned under the leadership of the Vice Provost for Extension and Engagement. To learn more about our Division and its core units and initiatives, please visit our Division website: https://engagement.oregonstate.edu/. 

OSU Extension programs, partnerships and volunteer opportunities are focused on:

  • Healthy communities and economies
  • Resilient and productive forestry and natural ecosystems
  • Sustainable agriculture, food systems, and gardening
  • Thriving youth, individuals and families

Commitment to inclusive excellence
Oregon State University is committed to creating and maintaining
compassionate and inclusive learning and working environments for all learners, visitors and employees. We envision collaborative community environments that enhance civility and embrace diversity. All employees are responsible for achieving this commitment. This commitment includes, but is not limited to, complying with Civil Rights and Language Access regulations. In addition, this individual will design, develop, maintain and/or carry out Extension programs to ensure that educational programs and outreach activities serve diverse populations, including those that have been historically marginalized/excluded from participation.

Position Duties
This Statewide Master Gardener Program Manager embeds the commitment of the university to a collaborative and inclusive community in all interactions and duties performed and contributes to a welcoming and respectful workplace culture.

60% Statewide Program Leadership

  • Provide statewide leadership to the Extension Master Gardener (EMG) program and serve as a resource for and coordinate with county-based Extension faculty and staff, campus-based faculty, and Regional Directors.
  • Responsible for developing, implementing, overseeing, and assessing the EMG program statewide.
  • Develop and update EMG Program strategic direction, policies, procedures, and guidance. Ensure all EMG faculty and staff are onboarded and trained on program policies and procedures.
  • Responsible for the coordination and management of comprehensive educational content creation and delivery for the EMG and consumer horticulture program to include on-line delivery, workshops, toolkits, and other trainings focused on horticulture, volunteer management, and volunteer outreach and engagement.
  • Support program staff statewide by implementing Division rules to support a vibrant statewide EMG program.
  • Support Ask Extension and plant diagnostic solutions.
  • Facilitate dialogue, meetings, and discussion with statewide EMG Advisory Committee.
  • Facilitate dialogue, discussion and collaborate with the Oregon Master Gardener Association and county Master Gardener Associations.
  • Coordinate training for EMG faculty and staff statewide to enhance volunteer management, recognition, retention, and adult learning strategies to strengthen the statewide EMG Program and improve understanding of EMG program policies and expectations.
  • Teach Master Gardener and consumer horticulture non-credit classes as appropriate and in alignment with expertise.
  • Travel is required to perform the statewide responsibilities of this position.

15% – Program Outreach, Evaluation, & Reporting

  • Represent the EMG program statewide to external sponsors, partners, and stakeholders to identify programming needs, solicit resources, develop partnerships, and determine links with campus-based programs and faculty.
  • Expand the commitment to inclusive excellence efforts through language access, implementing civil rights best practices and compliance, and expanding audience through partnerships and outreach to underserved communities. Seek funding to support the development of a Spanish-language training including a Spanish-language Master Gardener program in Oregon.
  • Collaborate with horticulture faculty and other departments to address Extension and research needs of the EMG program.
  • Utilize evidence- and science-based strategies to engage volunteers, equip staff and faculty working with volunteers and improve the volunteer experience.
  • Coordinate with EMG staff to provide analysis and reporting for program progress and assessment including needs, impact, and outcome measurement. Review program efforts annually and revise if necessary.
  • Develop pathways to promote Master Gardener activities and to raise the visibility of the EMG program statewide and nationally.
  • Assist in cohesive marketing of Extension.

15% – Administration and Management

  • Recruit, hire and supervise staff, interns, and non-student hourly employees as needed.
  • Provide supervision and lead work for Seed to Supper.
  • Provide ongoing performance input and participate actively in annual evaluations of Master Gardener coordinators and staff as part of the supervision team.
  • Develop updated program materials and curriculum, including promotional materials, for the annual EMG volunteer training. Distribute to county coordinators in a timely fashion. Provide training to county coordinators, as needed.
  • Assist in hosting/coordinating training for program faculty and staff on volunteer and program management.
  • Manage and update EMG program materials (including curricula development) and administrative portals (including the volunteer management system).
  • Coordinate and participate in fiscal management and funding generation including preparing, managing, providing grant proposals for the EMG Program budget as well as fundraising to support EMG endowments.

5% – Organizational Accountability

  • Utilize technology as a tool to increase the impact of program delivery on constituents including participating with Ask an Expert (Ask Extension).
  • Use multiple methods of electronic communication (i.e., web sites, publications, video conferencing and other online methods) to collaborate internally and externally as appropriate.
  • Develop and implement the framework for fee-based programming structure and cost-recovery practices, develop partnerships, and solicit external funding to support and enhance statewide EMG program.
  • Organize and maintain program advisory and management committees or networks to identify program needs, make recommendations, assist in program implementation, and evaluate program effectiveness.
  • Develop a statewide annual plan of work addressing educational needs as well as evaluate the quality and impact of educational programs provided to audiences as appropriate.
  • Provide community and statewide opinion leaders and decision makers with the context and understanding of how the EMG program work relates to overall Extension programming output.
  • Pursue engagement opportunities that may include, but are not limited to the creation of internal and external partnerships; identification of community and educational needs; etc.
  • Participate in leadership training opportunities that builds expertise around equity, inclusion, and diversity.
  • Contribute to equity, inclusion, and diversity as part of teaching, educational delivery, advising, research, Extension, and service. Outputs and impacts of efforts to promote equity, inclusion, and diversity will be included in the annual plan of work, impact statements, and summary of accomplishments/achievements.

5% – Service

  • Serve as an effective team member.
  • Provide service to college and university through committee service and leadership as appropriate.
  • Serve on state, regional, local, and national advisory committees appropriate to position responsibilities and participate in professional organization activities.
  • Serve as the Oregon representative to the National Extension Master Gardener Coordinators Committee.
  • Participate in community service.

Minimum Qualifications

  • Master’s degree in horticulture, home/public horticulture, agricultural education, agronomy, adult education, or an applicable discipline. Degree must be completed by the date this position posting closes.
  • At least six months of experience working with volunteer programs.
  • Effective written and oral communication skills, including the ability to interact effectively with a variety of audiences.
  • Experience in budgets, including managing and writing grant proposal for external funding.
  • Experience conducting program evaluation.
  • Experience planning, coordinating, and communicating with a variety of common computer office productivity tools, virtual meeting tools, and social media platforms.
  • Demonstrable commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity and inclusion.
  • Ability to gather, interpret and communicate clearly and effectively broad-based scientific information with community and EMG stakeholders.
  • Ability to coordinate content delivery across multiple means and to a variety of audiences.
  • Ability to create equitable and successful partnerships with other professionals and organizations.

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.

Required Qualifications:

  • At least five (5) years of professional experience related to the horticulture industry.
  • Experience working directly with Master Gardeners volunteers or similar programs.
  • Training and experience in plant diagnostics, plant pathology and/or entomology.
  • Fluent in Spanish including translation, interpretation, and teaching.
  • Experience working with program advisory committees.
  • Demonstrated commitment to work with historically marginalized populations.
  • Demonstrated life experience, education, and/or training that broaden program capacity to serve underserved audiences.
  • Ability to incorporate multiple cultural perspectives in educational design and delivery.
  • Ability to secure external funding support for educational and research programs.

 OSU is an AA/EOE/Vets/Disabled.

HOW TO APPLY
To review posting and apply, go to https://jobs.oregonstate.edu/postings/134935. Apply to posting # P06671UF.