Regional Extension Animal Science and Forage Specialist

Online applications must be received before 11:59pm on:
July 9, 2025
If a date is not listed above, review the Applicant Instructions below for more details.

Available Title(s):
270-NN_FACULTY - Assistant Professor, 395-NN_FACULTY - New Tenure-Track - Pre-Academic Year

Business Title:
Regional Extension Animal Science and Forage Specialist

Employee Type:
Faculty

Position Term:
9 Month

Position Details:

Washington State University (WSU) and the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS) seeks a Regional Extension Animal Science and Forage Specialist. This is a permanent, 9-month, full-time, tenure-track position. May be eligible for up to 2- months summer salary, conditional on successful performance and funding. The appointment is at the rank of Assistant Professor in the Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Program Unit (ANR). The position is headquartered at the WSU Benton County Extension Office in Kennewick, Washington and will serve the food animal and forage cropping needs in the Benton and Franklin region.

THE OPPORTUNITY

This position is responsible for leading outreach for agricultural Extension programs in food animal production and forage agronomy and cropping systems across Benton and Franklin counties and Southcentral Washington. Program will focus on beef, dairy beef and/or dairy animal production and forage agronomic production of harvested and grazing systems, along with farm enterprise management and decision support systems. Each year, nearly 1.1 million cattle are raised, fed, milked, or harvested in Washington State, with the majority of production concentrated in Central Washington in the Columbia Basin and Lower Valley regions of Benton and Franklin counties. The state's beef industry is quite diverse and includes cow/calf producers, stocker operations, feeders, packers, niche marketers, dairy beef producers, dairies, and youth beef producers. Washington's beef industry is also unique in that it has a complete industry from cow/calf to harvest meaning that the cattle industry in Washington is made of cow/calf producers, cattle feeders and has two major beef packing plants located within the state.

This position is structured around two primary focus areas: food animal production (approximately 70% of the candidate's effort) and forage production systems and management (around 30%), covering both harvested and grazing forage systems. Within the food animal production segment, 5% to 20% of the effort is expected to support 4-H and youth animal agriculture production and education, ensuring engagement in youth development while maintaining a strong emphasis on livestock production. This incumbent is expected to develop, conduct and evaluate outreach and Extension programming based on sound animal science and agronomic practices, and on-farm research in collaboration with WSU and ARS colleagues and industry. This incumbent will join and contribute to WSU research and Extension teams to address issues and opportunities of highest priority to area farmers in Benton and Franklin counties.

The incumbent will be expected to acquire extramural funding to develop, sustain and strengthen ongoing programs and new program initiatives. This person will also facilitate and promote WSU programs and research opportunities through collaborative relationships with other Extension Specialists and WSU Researchers.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conduct needs assessments to inform the development of the program and integrate the outcomes into program planning, implementation, delivery, and outcome evaluation.
  
• Develop and lead an Extension program that provides agricultural production and farm business management education to farmers, ranchers, managers, agribusinesses, and other stakeholders. Focus areas of this position will be food animal production and forage production and cropping systems, with an emphasis on cattle production.
  
• Develop an applied, researched-based program with Extension components using web-based technologies, conferences, classes, workshops, newsletters, and social and mass media. Audiences will include large and small acreage producers, processors, managers, allied industry, educators, and stakeholders.
  
• Develop publications and creative works in print and electronic formats for stakeholder audiences, as well as scholarly articles and publications for appropriate professional journals.
  
• Engage in grant development and secure extramural resources to advance food animal agriculture and forage cropping systems through applied research and outreach.
  
• Collaborate and cooperate with internal and external agricultural partners, including faculty and staff at Research and Extension Centers, county and tribal locations, and university campuses.
  
• Seek affiliate faculty status with the Department of Animal Sciences, Crops and Soil Science, or Subject Matter Centers within WSU College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences.
  
• Participate as a member of the Benton-Franklin WSU Extension Teams.
  
• Contribute to local, university, state, and federal recognition of WSU Extension as an essential education and applied research resource.
  

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of an earned master's degree in animal sciences, agronomy, or other discipline directly related to the subject matter areas of this position by date of hire.
  
• Demonstrates expertise and knowledge in food animal production, forage cropping systems and innovative farming practices.
  
• Must have, or be able to obtain by time of hire, a valid driver's license and meet requirements in accordance with SPPM 7.10 and departmental driving standards.
  

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Exhibited effective communication skills, verbal, written, and listening relating to diverse audiences, including large and small acreage producers, landowners, managers, consumers, special interest groups, professional groups, and elected officials.
  
• Demonstrates ability to lead and participate in interdisciplinary teams.
  
• Experience conducting needs assessments and its integrate into program planning, implementation, delivery, and outcome evaluation.
  
• Demonstrated ability to develop and deliver educational programs using a variety of modern methodologies and platforms.
  
• Demonstrated experiences in applied research and demonstration methodologies for agricultural, agronomic, and animal science practices.
  
• Demonstrated success in grant writing and extramural funds development.
  
• Documented record of scholarship in subject matter closely aligned with this position.
  
• Bilingual English/Spanish.
  

JOB EXPECTATIONS

• Extension faculty members are hired into the organization. It is possible that future circumstances may require relocation.
  
• The candidate will understand and carry out the principles and specific requirements of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Affirmative Action Plan, and all pertinent rules and regulations.
  
• Employment is contingent upon a successful background check.
  

Additional Information:

Area/College:

College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS)

Department Name:

Extension Agriculture & Natural Resources (ANR)

Location:
Kennewick, Washington 99336

Annual Salary: $75,000 - $85,000 | Commensurate with experience and qualifications

9 Month Salary: $61,364 - $69,545

Summer Salary: $13,636 - $15,455 (may be eligible for up to 2-months summer salary, conditional on successful performance and funding)

In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate's current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position. Successful candidates typically begin up to mid-point of the salary range.

Benefits: WSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid sick and vacation leave; paid holidays; medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; deferred compensation, optional supplemental retirement accounts. For additional information, please review the detailed Summary of Benefits offered by WSU for AP staff and Total Compensation.

Application Instructions: Applicants must upload the following required documents to their online application. Application materials should clearly communicate how the applicant meets all required qualifications and additional requirements.

1) Cover letter addressing how your experience meets the required and preferred qualifications for the position,

2) Current Curriculum Vitae,

3) The College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS) at Washington State University is committed to acceptance of all for who they are (https://cahnrs.wsu.edu/dei/). Provide a statement describing your commitment and contributions to nondiscrimination in your professional positions, and

4) Names and contact information for four professional references.

External candidates, upload all documents in the 'Application Document' section of your application.
Current WSU Employees (internal candidates), before starting your Workday application, please use these instructions to update your education and experience in your worker profile in Workday. Internal candidates, upload all documents in the 'Resume/Cover Letter' section of your application.

Documents may be submitted as one file or separate files. Applicants are encouraged to upload as a PDF, if possible.

Reference contact information will be requested later in the recruitment process through Workday.

Background Check: This position has been designated by the department to require a background check because it requires access to children or vulnerable adults as defined by RCW 74.34, engages in law enforcement, requires security clearance, interacts with WSU students in a counseling or advising capacity, has access to personal identifying and/or financial information, unsupervised access to university buildings/property, or other business-related need. A background check will not be completed until an initial determination of qualification for employment has been made.

Time Type:
Full time

Washington State University encourages all qualified candidates to apply, including members of the military and veterans, and persons with disabilities.

WSU employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

WSU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resource Services: 509-335-4521 (v), Washington State TDD Relay Service: Voice Callers: 1-800-833-6384; TDD Callers: 1-800-833-6388, 509-335-1259(f), or hrs@wsu.edu.

Notice of Non-Discrimination

In matters of admission, employment, housing or services, or in the educational programs or activities it operates, WSU does not discriminate or permit discrimination by any member of its community against any individual on the basis of sex, race, color, national or ethnic origin, physical disability, mental disability, sensory disability, use of a trained service animal, age, religion, creed, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, honorably discharged veteran, member of the military, or immigration or citizenship status except as authorized by federal or state law, regulation, or government contract.

Inquiries about the application of federal and state laws and regulations (including inquiries regarding the application of Title IX, ADA/Section 504, and implementing regulations), as well as reports and complaints of discrimination and harassment, can be made verbally or in writing to WSU's Compliance and Civil Rights, the Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights, or both.

More information, resources, and contact information are available here: https://ccr.wsu.edu/notice-of-nondiscrimination/

To apply, visit https://wsu.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/WSU_Jobs/job/Benton-County/Regional-Extension-Animal-Science-and-Forage-Specialist_R-13595

Washington State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Educator and Employer.







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