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Posting Detail Information

Working Title39-25 Extension County Specialist, Small Acreage and Specialty Crops, Pueblo County

Position LocationPueblo, CO

Work LocationPosition qualifies for hybrid/in-office work

Posting Number202500292F

Proposed Annual Salary Range$50,000-$87,000 (commensurate on academic credentials and professional experience)

Employee Benefits

Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.

+ Review our detailed benefits information here. (https://hr.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/25/2021/01/benefits-summary-afap.pdf)

+ Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here.

+ For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator (https://hr.colostate.edu/total-compensation-calculator/) .

+ Lastly, click here for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in (https://hr.colostate.edu/prospective-employees/our-community/) !

Position TypeFaculty

Work Hours/Week40

Description of Work Unit

The Office of Engagement and Extension ( OEE ) was organized in 2006 to advance CSU’s engagement and outreach missions. OEE includes CSU Extension, Learning Innovation (including CSU Online), the Colorado Water Center, and a variety of vibrant programs that engage the teaching, research, extension, and service missions of Colorado State University. The Vice President for Engagement and Extension ( VPEE ) is the principal administrative, academic, and fiscal officer for the division, reports to the CSU President, and works closely with the Provost/Executive Vice President. OEE works collaboratively across all Colleges and offices on campus and has strong engagement programs throughout Colorado, the Western US, and globally. At any given time, OEE includes over 400 employees. The total budget is approximately $95 million. OEE is one of the most institutionally comprehensive commitments to engagement and outreach among all land-grant and other universities. Propelled by OEE’s leadership, nationally CSU is a Carnegie Engaged University (2008, 2014), is a member of the Engagement Scholarship Consortium, is an APLU Innovation and Economic Prosperity University (2016, 2024) and is highly ranked for its online degree programs. Annually, Learning Innovation garners enrollments of over 15,000 learners and CSU Extension delivers approximately 500,000 educational contacts.

CSU Extension, organized under OEE , is the academic unit designated to promote the land-grant mission of increasing access to education through the application of university knowledge “in the several pursuits and professions in life” for the people and communities of Colorado, across the United States, and around the world. In partnership with CSU’s colleges and external partners, CSU Extension amplifies the research, teaching, service, engagement, and extension missions of CSU . CSU Extension faculty aim to educate, create, and connect with learners through inclusive, transdisciplinary, and activated engaged scholarship, and innovative, accessible, and connected lifelong education. To learn more about CSU Extension, visitwww.extension.colostate.edu.

Located in south central Colorado, Pueblo County has a population of about 169,866. The City of Pueblo, the county seat, has a population of 111,166, and is at 4,600 feet above sea level. Pueblo is a trade and service center for surrounding areas, with manufacturing, health care, social assistance, and retail marketing being important components of the economy. Agricultural production (primarily beef, the Pueblo Chile, horticultural crops, and turf) also remains important. A growing local foods movement is encouraged by numerous family farm stands selling local produce. Social and recreational activities abound in Pueblo County with numerous museums, the Pueblo Zoo, Pueblo Nature & Raptor Center, the HARP Riverwalk, the Colorado State Fair, multiple public lakes, Lake Pueblo State Park, the Nature and Wildlife Discovery Center, and many miles of bicycle and equestrian trails all being located here. To learn more about Pueblo County Extension, go to: http://pueblo.extension.colostate.edu/.

Colorado State University encourages professional development and provides anEmployee Study Privilege (https://hr.colostate.edu/current-employees/benefits/other-benefit-programs/academic-privileges/) with up to nine credit hours of tuition assistance annually.

Tenure/Tenure Track?No

% Research35%

% Teaching50%

% Service15%

% Administration0%

To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on10/27/2025

Number of Vacancies1

Desired Start Date

Position End Date

Position Summary

OEE invites applications and nominations for an Extension County Specialist, Small Acreage and Specialty Crops. This is a full-time, twelve (12) month, non-tenure track Extension faculty position.Faculty rank (https://extension.colostate.edu/csu-extension-faculty/) is dependent upon the candidate’s academic credentials and professional experience and is subject to review by the Extension Promotion Committee. The faculty appointment, evaluation, and promotion standards are centered around the three core duties of extension faculty –educate, create, and connect (https://extension.colostate.edu/csu-extension-faculty/) . Candidates are sought with interests that complement and expand upon current initiatives and education activities in OEE and CSU Extension.

Programming responsibilities will include small acreage management, specialty crops, and natural resources. This position reports to the Extension County Director, Pueblo County.

The office location for this position is in Pueblo, Colorado. While this position is eligible for some hybrid work, the individual in this position is expected to maintain a presence in the office to effectively balance the duties of the position. The work schedule will vary, and occasional nights and weekend work will be necessary.

Conditions of EmploymentPre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires), Valid Driver’s License, Travel

Required Job Qualifications

+ Completed bachelor’s degree. Conferred degree must be in Extension education, agricultural sciences, natural resources, or closely related field that can significantly contribute to administrative and/or program responsibilities. (Please note, to advance through the Extension Instructor faculty track, a completed master’s degree is required. For progression to the Extension Professor faculty track, a completed terminal degree is necessary. We encourage all successful candidates to work towards these qualifications to enhance their opportunities for advancement.)

+ Must have a valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain a driver’s license or access to a licensed driver by the employment start date.

+ The successful candidate must be legally authorized to work in the United States by the proposed start date; Extension will not sponsor a visa for this position.

Preferred Job Qualifications

+ Completed master’s degree.

+ Professional experience in assisting small acreage residents with management of pastures and natural resources.

+ Professional experience assisting growers with specialty crops, on farm research and projects, crop and vegetable systems relevant to the area, and identification management of weeds relevant to the area.

+ Training or experience in marketing and promoting programs or services; demonstrated ability to work effectively with the media, including television, radio, print, and the internet.

+ Familiarity with small agriculture business management strategies.

+ Familiarity with Extension, Colorado Master Gardener Program, Native Plant Master Program, and the land-grant system.

+ Training or professional experience relevant to the Essential Job Duties (below) of this position.

+ Experience/knowledge of semi-arid climates, soils, hardy plant varieties and associated pests.

+ Bilingual in English and Spanish.

Special Instructions to Applicants

To apply, please upload a cover letter that addresses the required and preferred job qualifications, a resume, and the contact information for three professional references.

CSU is committed to full inclusion of qualified individuals. If you are needing assistance or accommodations with the search process, please reach out to the search contact.

Background Check Policy Statement

Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

EEO

Colorado State University ( CSU ) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Search ContactSherie Shaffer at [email protected]

Essential Duties

Job Duty CategoryEducate

Duty/Responsibility

+ Develop and conduct educational programming in response to local needs.

+ Work collaboratively with local government and organizational partners to develop, implement, evaluate and report impacts of non-credit educational programming for adult and youth audiences.

+ Provide subject matter expertise and program support for small acreage management, natural resources, and specialty crop system issues.

Percentage Of Time50%

Job Duty CategoryCreate

Duty/Responsibility

+ Develop and provide programming for a variety of audiences and assure compliance with civil rights and affirmative action policies.

+ Engage and collaborate with community-based organizations and constituents (representative of the county’s racial, ethnic and gender demographics) to understand community needs and develop support for existing and new program efforts.

+ Employ effective technology in managing and/or delivering educational programs.

+ Identify resources (grants, contracts, in-kind contributions, cost recovery fees, etc.) to enhance programs, support programming efforts and practice cost recovery.

+ Manage program funds in compliance with CSU and county fiscal policies and reporting requirements.

Percentage Of Time35%

Job Duty CategoryConnect

Duty/Responsibility

+ Communicate and coordinate resources, research, and programming with faculty/staff at CSU , county, and other organizations.

+ Develop and support strong equitable working relationships with Extension staff, CSU faculty, local/county agencies, community leaders and private industry organizations to address priority needs.

+ Develop relationships and work with advisory groups and local leaders; cooperate with Extension Specialists in other counties to assess informal education needs in the area, develop/revise plans of work, implement educational strategies, and measure and report programmatic impacts.

+ Maintain a strong working relationship with the Board of County Commissioners, including responding to requests for consultation, research, and other assistance.

+ Provide conflict resolution, mediation and/or facilitate public dialogues.

+ Engage with public officials in policy decision influence.

+ Travel to and participate in meetings, professional development, events and periodic activities requiring travel and/or overnight stays.

Percentage Of Time15%

References Requested

References Requested

Minimum Requested

Maximum Requested

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

+ Cover Letter

+ Resume

+ Special Required Documentation

Optional Documents