Extension Professional I (Willcox, AZ)

The primary purpose of the position is to perform a variety of standard sampling procedures for inventory and monitoring of soils and vegetation on rangeland ecosystems. The position also organizes, evaluates, and digitizes existing data related to project goals. Efforts are conducted in cooperation with United States Forest Service (USFS) personnel and grazing permittees. The position assists The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension personnel in educational activities regarding land management, assessment, and monitoring.

For more than 100 years, the Cooperative Extension’s statewide network of experts, trained educators and volunteers has connected communities to University of Arizona research and resources so people can overcome their biggest challenges and grow a more sustainable future.

This position requires camping out on a regular basis to perform duties.

Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more!

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Responsible for the delivery of Extension programs to the Arizona ranchers and ranch owners’ communities at large, including meeting ranchers in the field, communicating with various stakeholders, and forming relationships within the communities.

• Deliver programming 1:1 out in the field during monitoring visits to teach what is being done, and how it impacts rangeland management.
• Assist with conducting workshops with ranchers and federal and state agencies on rangeland management.
• Assist with reviewing and evaluating monitoring plans and procedures to accommodate changes as needed in conjunction with supervisor and the land management agency the monitoring takes place on. This can include changing monitoring key areas due to ranch infrastructure changes, working with the Forest Service to determine new monitoring points, etc.
• Record vegetation sampling data at locations throughout the assigned area using electronic field devices and summarize results.
• Evaluate monitoring techniques to make sure protocols match the specific vegetation type, working closely with the supervisor and the land management agency.

Evaluate and update USFS field files with summarized field data and provide reports to USFS personnel and grazing permittees.

• Verify and input historical monitoring data into database.

Primary outreach arm of the university, which deals with the educational advancement of the community.

• Assist with hands on monitoring workshops to demonstrate what they are monitoring in the field and why, to assist USFS personnel and grazing permittees regarding range monitoring techniques and protocols.
• Assist at range-related Extension workshops and assemble and present rangeland data and results at workshops and meetings as requested.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to communicate effectively with different groups/individuals.
• Skilled at maintaining flexibility and adapting creatively to meet program requirements when met with barriers.
• Capable of working semi-independently and taking initiative to move forward with program activities.
• Ability to work long days outdoors.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office tools (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, etc.) and Adobe Acrobat.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through experience required.
• 1 year of relevant work experience required.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to drive according to the University Fleet Safety Policy.
• Ability to drive 4-wheel drive vehicles and UTV’s in remote, rugged terrain.
• Ability to camp out to perform duties at times is required.

• Experience identifying native and naturalized plant species and working with and understanding of vegetation sampling techniques.
• Prior experience with GPS applications and navigating to and finding locations based on topographic and other maps.
• Experience and understanding of rangeland management and public land issues.