JOB SUMMARY
The Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture (PSLA) in the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources (CAHNR) at the University of Connecticut (UConn) invites applications for a full-time (11-month appointment, 50% Teaching, 50% Extension) Assistant Cooperative Extension Educator. This is a non-tenure track position renewed annually with the expectation of long-term employment. The target start date is August 22, 2025, with flexibility.
CAHNR has developed and implemented a Strategic Vision to guide the development and focus of our teaching, research and Extension programs in the years 2020-2025. Faculty hired for this position will be expected to make significant contributions in their area of expertise, contributing to the advancement of one or more of the CAHNR’s five strategic priorities.
- Ensuring a vibrant agricultural industry and sustainable food supply;
- Enhancing health and well-being locally, nationally and globally;
- Fostering sustainable landscapes across urban-rural interfaces;
- Advancing resilience and adaptation in a changing climate; and
- Dismantling structural racism and fostering environments that advance racial equity, inclusion and belonging by advocating for anti-racist policies, practices and norms.
The CAHNR Strategic Vision provides additional information on the strategic initiatives and their related areas of emphasis.
Founded in 1881, UConn is a Land Grant and Sea Grant institution and member of the Space Grant Consortium. It is the state’s flagship institution of higher education and includes a main campus in Storrs, CT, four regional campuses throughout the state, and 13 Schools and Colleges, including a Law School in Hartford, and Medical and Dental Schools at the UConn Health campus in Farmington. The University has approximately 10,000 faculty and staff and 32,000 students, including nearly 24,000 undergraduates and over 8,000 graduate and professional students. UConn is a Carnegie Foundation R1 (highest research activity) institution, among the top 25 public universities in the nation. Through research, teaching, service, and outreach, UConn embraces diversity and cultivates leadership, integrity, and engaged citizenship in its students, faculty, staff, and alumni. UConn promotes the health and well-being of citizens by enhancing the social, economic, cultural, and natural environments of the state and beyond. The University serves as a beacon of academic and research excellence as well as a center for innovation and social service to communities. UConn is a leader in many scholarly, research, and innovation areas. Today, the path forward includes exciting opportunities and notable challenges. Record numbers of undergraduate applications and support for student success have enabled the University to become extraordinarily selective.
The University serves as a beacon of academic and research excellence as well as a center for innovation and social service to communities. The University prioritizes scholarship in areas that include health and environmental sustainability, and offers significant opportunity for cross-disciplinary, collaborative scholarship in a number of areas including healthy and active communities, shoreline and community resilience, storm water management and green infrastructure, sustainable cities, landscape ecology, multi-modal transportation, and digital visualization and spatial analytics. UConn has been recognized as one of the most sustainable and environmentally friendly campuses by a national publication of Sierra magazine. Through research, teaching, service, and outreach, UConn embraces diversity and inclusion, and cultivates leadership, integrity, and engaged citizenship in its students, faculty, staff, and alumni.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The successful candidate will be a dynamic individual expected to develop innovative extension programs focused on turfgrass weed ecology and management concerns of turfgrass practitioners in Connecticut. Evidence-based recommendations will be developed based on candidate-led field trials and demonstration plots. They will also lead the creation and delivery of an online professional certificate program for industry practitioners in collaboration with existing turfgrass faculty. We envision this person will become a recognized turfgrass expert sought throughout New England by establishing and disseminating science-based recommendations that lead to measurable impacts on the sustainability and profitability of the turfgrass industry. The candidate will also be expected to engage students in practical and experiential learning as part of our Associate of Applied Science Program in the Ratcliffe Hicks School of Agriculture (RHSA) and Baccalaureate Degree Program in PSLA. Responsibilities will include teaching undergraduate courses in turfgrass management, ecology and control of weeds, and agroecology.
Other duties include advising undergraduate students, participating in undergraduate student recruitment activities, serving as faculty advisor to the Turf Club, and actively contributing to the academic community through service within the University, to the state and region, and through national and international organizations.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- An earned master’s degree by the start date in plant science, agronomy, turfgrass science, weed science, horticulture, or a closely related discipline.
- Experience developing and delivering oral and written extension/outreach educational materials.
- Knowledge of innovative teaching approaches in undergraduate level classroom and laboratory and/or field analysis instruction.
- Experience conducting applied field research.
- Evidence or potential to develop an externally funded, integrated extension/outreach program.
- Experience with enhancing diversity and inclusion in outreach activities or furthering inclusive best practices at work.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- An earned doctorate by the start date in plant science, agronomy, turfgrass science, weed science, horticulture, or a closely related discipline.
- Experience with, or knowledge of, online instructional design and assessment.
- Teaching experience at the undergraduate level with full-class and/or laboratory responsibilities.
- Experience managing turfgrass for public or private entities or in an applied research program.
- Proficiency in learning management systems, multimedia, and other relevant technology to promote and disseminate information.
- Effective communication and collaborative skills; including with diverse individuals from agricultural and non-agricultural backgrounds.
APPOINTMENT TERMS
This is a full-time, 11-month, non-tenure-track position with an anticipated start date of August 22, 2025. The successful candidate’s academic appointment will be at the Storrs campus. Faculty may also be asked to teach at one of UConn’s regional campuses as part of their ordinary workload. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.
TO APPLY
Please apply online to UConn Jobs at https://hr.uconn.edu/jobs Search #498857. Submission must include:
- Cover letter that addresses how the applicant meets the minimum and preferred qualifications, why the applicant is the best fit for the position, and how your work at UConn will contribute to one or more of CAHNR strategic priorities;
- Curriculum vitae;
- Extension statement, 1 page maximum (including approaches to developing an effective program including: engaging stakeholders, integrating applied research and assessing program impacts);
- Teaching statement, 1 page maximum (including teaching philosophy, teaching experience, commitment to effective learning, etc.);
- Diversity statement, 1 page maximum (including broadening participation, integrating multicultural experiences in instruction and extension and applying effective pedagogical techniques to meet the needs of diverse learning styles);
- Names and contact information for three references.
Priority will be given to applications submitted by 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time on Sunday, March 9, 2025 and will continue until the position is filled. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Inquiries about the position should be directed to Dr. Jason Henderson (jason.henderson@uconn.edu).
At the University of Connecticut, our commitment to excellence is complemented by our commitment to building a culturally diverse community.
All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics which may be found at http://www.ct.gov/ethics/site/default.asp.
All members of the University of Connecticut are expected to exhibit appreciation of, and contribute to, an inclusive, respectful, and diverse environment for the University community.
The University of Connecticut aspires to create a community built on collaboration and belonging and has actively sought to create an inclusive culture within the workforce. The success of the University is dependent on the willingness of our diverse employee and student populations to share their rich perspectives and backgrounds in a respectful manner. This makes it essential for each member of our community to feel secure and welcomed and to thoroughly understand and believe that their ideas are respected by all. We strongly respect each individual employee’s unique experiences and perspectives and encourage all members of the community to do the same. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.
The University of Connecticut is an AA/EEO Employer.