Position Function:
The Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture is seeking a full-time extension associate who will assist in providing technical assistance, research, and outreach in areas of natural resource conservation, conservation in agricultural landscapes and conservation delivery to a variety of stakeholders including historically underserved landowners and agricultural producers.
Salary Grade: 13
Please see Staff Compensation Structure or Skilled Crafts and Service Maintenance Compensation Schedule for salary ranges. For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.
Department Profile:
Mississippi State University is a top-ranked research institution and the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture (WFA) has a strong applied focus in wildlife conservation and management. The 35-member faculty within the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture leads one of the most productive research programs in the Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine at Mississippi State University. The Department is well-known for its highly collegial and interdisciplinary faculty, post-doctoral fellows, research and extension associates that help make the Department one of the premier institutions for applied wildlife and fisheries science in the nation. As one of the fastest growing undergraduate programs in the region, our 300 undergraduate students have concentrations in wildlife agriculture science, human-wildlife interactions, conservation biology, wildlife veterinary medicine, conservation law enforcement, and wildlife, fisheries and aquaculture science. The Department also houses 60 graduate students across a variety of programs. For additional information see
extension.msstate.edu/natural-resources/wildlife and www.cfr.msstate.edu/wildlife
Area of Specialization:
Natural Resources Conservation, Agriculture Conservation
Anticipated Appointment Date:
March 2024.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
We are seeking a self-motivated individual with experience working with landowners (particularly socially disadvantaged, new, and military veteran landowners), knowledge of the Natural Resources Conservation Service and Farm Bill Conservation programs, and expertise in natural resource conservation in agricultural landscapes. Experience conducting focus groups is highly preferred. The individual’s primary responsibilities will include conducting a rigorous literature review on challenges associated with conservation delivery to and adoption by historically underserved producers, coordination of outreach events (field days, training workshops, etc.), conducting focus groups with agricultural producers, communicating with partners and stakeholders, developing materials to support project communication (social media, email distributions, etc.), coordination of on-farm visits, steering committee meetings, and general project management duties, and developing Extension and scientific journal publications. The successful candidate must be able to perform outreach activities, in conjunction with producer needs and agriculture conservation throughout the state of Mississippi. The position involves frequent travel and the occasional ability to work outside of normal workday hours. The individual must be able to work independently, have exceptional organization skills, be able to follow standard operating procedures, and be willing to learn new skills and techniques.
Minimum Qualifications:
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Natural Resources, Biology, Environmental Science, Agriculture or related program of study.
Rank and salary will be commensurate with education and experience.
Preferred Qualifications:
Master of Science (M.S.) degree in natural resource conservation, biology, soil science, ecology, agriculture, or related field. Motivated individual capable of working independently; organizational and multi-tasking skills, and the ability to work in a team environment. Previous experience conducting focus groups and social science research is preferred. Experience working independently to manage projects and tasks in a field setting is preferred.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Required Skillsets:
-Excellent written and oral communication skills to be able to communicate well with other team members, state and federal agency personnel, scientists, private landowners and agricultural producers.
-Project management experience.
-Experience with conservation or agriculture outreach and education.
-Field experience following protocols, collecting data, analyzing data, and data management.
-Training in statistical analysis.
Working Conditions and Physical Effort
Exposure to inclement weather, heat, cold, mud, insects, wildlife, and other potential complications of outdoor settings. Often exposed to one or more elements such as heat, cold, noise, dust, dirt, chemicals, etc. Physical effort/activity will be required. Jobs frequently involve bending or other physical exertion. Job requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, grasping objects with hands, communicating verbally and in writing. Frequent travel to and working in remote/rural areas in the community. Seasonal overnight travel, occasional evening, and weekend work. The ability to work after normal work hours during peak seasons will be required.
Instructions for Applying:
Link to apply: http://explore.msujobs.msstate.edu/
Applications must be completed online at www.jobs.msstate.edu.
The following documents and information are required for application:
-Resume or CV
-Current unofficial transcript (with social security numbers removed prior to submission)
An official transcript will be required if selected for employment.
For additional information please e-mail: james.callicutt@msstate.edu.
Screening Date:
March 8, 2024, until filled.
Restricted Clause:
Position is contingent upon continued availability of funding.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
MSU is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy, gender identity, status as a U.S. veteran, and/or any other status protected by applicable law. We always welcome nominations and applications from women, members of any minority group, and others who share our passion for building a diverse community that reflects the diversity in our student population.
What do I do if I need an accommodation?
In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu.
If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.
