Position: #39539
TITLE
Lauzier Agricultural Systems Educator. This position is a twelve-month
faculty position.
The Paul Lauzier Distinguished Professorship in Sustainable Agriculture is
the first endowed WSU Cooperative Extension position at Washington State
University. The endowment will provide funding for an Extension Educator to
conduct applied farming systems research and education. Funding is also
available for innovative agricultural projects in the Columbia Basin
involving farmers, researchers and Extension Educators. The goal of the
Lauzier Endowment is to create sustainable solutions to irrigated farming
challenges in the Columbia Basin. Funding for this position is secured for
at least a 4-year period. Continued employment is based upon endowed
funding, as well as the ability to secure additional resources.
LOCATION
The current workstation is the Grant County Extension office at Ephrata, WA.
The office is about 150 miles east of Seattle and 25 miles north of Moses
Lake. The region is a high desert plateau with warm summers and mild
winters. The position will serve the irrigated areas of the northwestern
portion of the Columbia Plateau, including those portions of Grant and Adams
counties located in the Columbia Basin Irrigation Project. The Royal Slope
Experimental Farm, southeast of Moses Lake, is available for farm-scale
demonstration and experimentation. Cooperative work may be conducted in
other parts of the region, especially in cooperation with other faculty.
LINE OF RESPONSIBILITY
The Lauzier Endowed Agricultural Systems Educator is part of the Center for
Sustainable Agriculture and Natural Resources (CSANR Center) and works
cooperatively with the Extension programs in the Eastern District with a
focus in Grant and Adams counties. The Center, created by the Washington
State legislature in 1991, provides a focal point for addressing issues,
practices, and technologies relating to agriculture and natural resource
viability. The Center serves as a facilitator to bring together
interdisciplinary teams, both within WSU and in partnership with other
organizations. The Center provides education on key and emerging issues
through conferences, publications, a World Wide Web site, satellite
broadcasts, field demonstrations and direct consultation.
The Director of the CSANR will provide program guidance and joint personnel
evaluation for this position.
The position is also administratively responsible for planning, reporting,
joint evaluation and support through the Grant County Cooperative Extension
Staff Chair to the Coordinator of the Eastern Extension Region.
GENERAL INFORMATION
There is an intense interest in the economic and environmental
sustainability of agriculture in this region. University and US Geological
Survey (USGS) reports on groundwater pollution have led to the formation of
a Groundwater Management Area. Citizens are creating plans that will affect
agriculture in the future. Surface water pollution from irrigated fields is
also affecting streams that nurture endangered salmon populations. Current
low prices for many farm crops, coupled with increasing input costs, may
squeeze many farm families out of business. There is an opportunity for
this position to bring a systematic approach to helping farm families
resolve these issues.
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES
May include any or all of the following:
As a member of the CSANR Leadership Team, the Lauzier Endowed Agricultural
Systems Educator will be responsible for the promotion of sustainable
irrigated agricultural systems. The Educator will provide input and
direction to the CSANR, following the purpose and direction set out in the
CSANR enabling legislation.
One of the most pressing needs for the future is furrow irrigated cropping
systems that manage nitrate leaching. The Lauzier Endowed Agricultural
Systems Educator will use on-farm research and extension programs in the
upper Columbia Basin Irrigation Project region to develop farming and
resource management practices. These practices will reduce surface and
ground water contamination, nitrate leaching, soil erosion, loss of plant
and animal diversity in the region, and encourage the adoption of integrated
pest management in the context of economically sound farming systems.
Because environmental and production issues facing agriculture are diverse
and interrelated, the educator/scientist will facilitate teamwork and
cooperation among college and university faculty, farmers, federal, state,
and local government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and local citizens
in order to pool information, knowledge, and resources to address these
issues. A systems approach emphasizing multi-disciplinary, multi-agency
research and education programs will be promoted to develop solutions to
these issues.
One successful model used in other parts of Washington has been the
development and demonstration of sustainable systems at a site readily
identifiable to the local farmers as representative of their own farms. The
Royal Slope Experimental Farm is expected to fill this role for the
successful candidate. The Royal Slope Farm has furrow irrigated fields that
are similar to the worst problem fields in the Columbia Basin. This farm has
over 200 acres, equipment and water available for farm size demonstration and
experimentation. There is office space at the unit and an Extension
Horticulturist from the Grant County office is housed at Royal Slope. WSU
Prosser manages the experimental farm, providing a tie to several federal
and state extension specialists and researchers at Prosser.
An important expectation of this position is securing extramural funding to
expand programs.
SPECIFIC PROGRAM RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Understand and carry out the principles and specific requirements of
Substitute House Bill 1426, State of Washington 52nd Legislature 1991
Regular Session establishing the Center for Sustaining Agriculture and
Natural Resources. Provide leadership to the CSANR consistent with
programming responsibilities in irrigated agriculture.
2. Using a systems approach, develop and evaluate economically and
environmentally, irrigation, nutrient, pest management, cover crops, and
perennial cover to determine the effect these practices have on nitrate
leaching, surface and groundwater contamination, pesticide use, soil
erosion, and plant and animal diversity.
3. Facilitate the development of collaborative research/education systems
with farmers, scientists, educators and others at universities, federal, and
state agencies, and non-profit organizations in order to address the issues
associated with agriculture in the region.
4. Develop and deliver science-based educational programs for farmers,
agricultural professionals, and other stakeholders in collaboration with
cooperating farmers, university faculty, and other team members. These
educational programs may include field days, workshops, and presentations to
various groups and agencies, publications, and electronic delivery.
5. Disseminate information at stakeholder and professional meetings, through
articles in popular publications, scientific journals, and electronic
outlets (Internet, World Wide Web, CD-ROM, video, and satellite).
OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Understand and carry out the principles and specific requirements of the
Civil Rights Act of 1964, the American Disabilities Act, the Affirmative
Action Plan, and all pertinent rules and regulations.
2. Participate as a WSU faculty member in activities, such as committees,
governance, and professional associations, which are essential to
institutional operations.
RELATIONSHIPS
Facilitate communication, cooperation and effective working relationships
with staff, faculty, and administration in Cooperative Extension; federal
and state government personnel; conservation districts; and the public.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required:
1. Master's degree, with at least one degree in Agronomy, Entomology,
Ecology, or closely related field.
2. Demonstrated knowledge of irrigated agricultural systems.
3. Demonstrated ability to provide effective educational programs using new,
as well as traditional, educational methods, including the ability to write,
speak, and listen effectively and to use electronic communication tools.
4. Demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse interests (e.g.,
farmers, agency personnel, conservationists, and regulators) on
controversial issues.
5. Demonstrated ability to conduct applied research in cooperation with
researchers and farmers.
Desired Qualifications:
1. Ph.D., with at least one degree in Agronomy, Entomology, Ecology, or
closely related field.
2. Demonstrated ability to lead, as well as to participate in,
inter-disciplinary and multi-agency teams.
3. Demonstrated ability to obtain resources to support programs.
4. Conversational Spanish language skills.
JOB EXPECTATIONS
Competency in using electronic communication methods and equipment for
extension education and daily work activities is an expectation of the job.
If the person hired does not have the competency, he or she will be expected
to develop it within a year.
There is an expectation of travel year-round and reliable transportation
(mileage reimbursed) is required. Evening and weekend work with occasional
travel outside the area is required. The successful candidate must have the
ability to obtain a Washington State driver's license.
Extension faculty members are hired into the organization not into a
specific geographical location. It is possible that future circumstances
may require relocation. Apply by submitting a letter describing how
experience and training meet qualifications for this position. Also send a
current vitae, transcripts, and three current letters of reference.
Screening of applications will begin January 6, 1999. Application materials
will be accepted until position is filled.
SALARY
Salary is commensurate with the candidate's academic and professional
qualifications within the range $35,000 - $50,000.
Send application materials to Rebecca Armstrong, WSU Cooperative Extension,
PO
Box 646230, Pullman, WA 99164-6230, 509-335-2822, FAX 509-335-2959 or e-mail
armstro@mail.wsu.edu.
For further information about the position, contact Dora Rumsey, Eastside
District Director, WSU Cooperative Extension, WSU Tri-Cities, 2710
University Drive, Richland, WA 99352-1671, 509-372-7224, FAX 509-372-7225 or
email drumsey@tricity.wsu.edu, or contact Phil Crawford, Director, Center
for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources, College of Agriculture and
Home Economics, 411 Hulbert Hall, Washington State University, Pullman,
WA 99164-6230, 509-335-2885, FAX: 509-335-2926, e-mail crawford@wsu.edu.
Washington State University employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully
authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment
eligibility verifications required by the U.S. Immigration and
Naturalization Service.
Accommodations for applicants who qualify under the Americans With
Disabilities Act are available upon request.
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