Agent Associate, Home Horticulture & Master Gardener

University of Maryland

97d • $29,443 - $39,174

About The Position

The Home Horticulture Educator and Master Gardener Coordinator is a part-time (.6 FTE - 24 hours per week) position that will work in support of the Baltimore City Home Horticulture Extension Program, which falls under UME's Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) program area. The mission of ENR is to strengthen and improve individuals' knowledge, skills and aspirations to make changes in their lives and the lives of others that positively affect the economy, the environment and the associated natural resources for current and future generations. The Educator will support the ENR programmatic area by educating the public on the research-based best practices regarding home and non-commercial horticulture. An addition responsibility of the Educator is to provide oversight, support, and strategic leadership to volunteers of the University of Maryland Extension Master Gardener Program, which is designed to train volunteer horticultural educators to support the University of Maryland Extension mission by educating residents about safe, effective and sustainable horticultural practices that build healthy gardens, landscapes, and communities. The UME-MG volunteers offer a variety of local programs in collaboration with schools, libraries, non-profit organizations, and the general public. The Educator will be responsible for providing coordination and programmatic support for home horticulture activities in Baltimore, including collaboration on educational programs among internal and community partners, supporting efforts to raise the awareness of Extension in Baltimore, conducting outreach and building and maintaining partnerships with local community members, government officials, and organizations, and additional related activities. This position is located at the University of Maryland Extension Baltimore City office.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in horticulture, agriculture education, applied plant science and/or agronomy or related field
• Working knowledge of accepted home horticulture practices
• Applicants must be self-motivated, flexible, innovative, and resourceful with skills and experience in conducting community-based education programs
• Ability to communicate effectively in written and spoken formats
• Experience working with volunteers and broad audiences of all socio-economic levels
• Knowledge and use of computer technology for educational programming and management
• Flexible working hours required; must be available for evening and weekend programs and meetings
• A valid driver's license and access to an automobile for travel is required
• This position is subject to a Criminal History Record Check; employment is contingent upon successful completion and clearance of the Criminal History Record Check

Nice To Haves

• Master's Degree in horticulture, agriculture education, applied plant science and/or agronomy or related field
• Experience in program planning, evaluation, and collaborative work with other organizations
• Experience in writing grants and securing funds for projects
• Experience implementing programmatic stakeholder feedback
• Experience navigating the landscape of an urban area in an agricultural context

Responsibilities

• Developing, conducting, and evaluating educational seminars, classes, workshops and other presentations related to horticulture
• Developing educational materials as necessary to conduct programming
• Responding to clientele requests via phone, office visits, email, etc. for information on lawn care, landscape plants and trees, home fruit and vegetable production, pest control and other subjects related to home horticulture, providing appropriate literature and advice in a timely and professional manner
• Coordinating the Master Gardener program in Baltimore, which includes volunteer recruitment and training, and coordination of community-based projects
• Identifying plants, insects and other horticulture samples submitted by clientele and responding with information and recommendations in a timely and professional manner
• Disseminating horticulture information to city residents through news releases, website updates, and other forms of media
• Providing pest control and fertilizer recommendations in accordance with University of Maryland guidelines
• Assisting in collecting data, reporting, and evaluating Home Horticulture programs in accordance with funding requirements and UMD policy
• Developing and maintaining collaborative relationships with agricultural organizations and other relevant organizations, implementing and evaluating collaborative programs, and seeking new partnerships to deliver outreach education
• Additional duties as assigned

Benefits

• Salary Range Bachelor's Degree: $29,443.80-$37,843.80
• Salary Range Master's Degree: $30,774-$39,174

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree