Turfgrass Extension Assistant
Job Description
Posting Number
PG193717EPInternal Recruitment
NoWorking Title
Turfgrass Extension AssistantAnticipated Hiring Range
Commensurate with Experience ($55,000 - $57,598)Work Schedule
Monday- Friday, 8:00 am- 5:00 pm (evenings and weekends as needed)Job Location
Raleigh, NCDepartment
Crop and Soil SciencesAbout the Department
The Department of Crop and Soil Sciences encompasses diverse disciplines in research extension and teaching. The department’s mission is to develop future leaders in crop, soil and environmental sciences, improve crop plants and products, devise effective and sustainable crop production systems, devise effective and sustainable soil management techniques in both agriculture and urban settings; and disseminate crop, soil, and environmental science knowledge for the benefit of users and producers of food, feed turf, biofuels and fiber in North Carolina, the nation and the world.
Essential Job Duties
The Crop and Soil Science Dept is seeking to fill an Extension Assistant position. This position will lead extension and research activities on turfgrass germplasm evaluation, sports field evaluations, and turfgrass water requirements for industry stakeholders, producers, managers, and extension personnel. Development of educational materials including field demonstration plots, training days, field days, fact sheets, and presentations will be required.
The Extension Assistant will be required to work with faculty and staff in related areas to develop appropriate educational materials that address the needs of the turfgrass industry.
Germplasm Evaluation
The Extension Assistant will be required to work with faculty and staff in related areas to develop appropriate educational materials that address the needs of the turfgrass industry.
Germplasm Evaluation
- Plan with PI the appropriate experimental design for establishing germplasm evaluation trials. Anticipate 2 to 5 new trial introductions each year, with 20 to 150 genotypes per trial. These trials may be seasonal for annual species, up to 5-year trials for national turfgrass evaluation program trials.
- Prepare soil conditions to plant germplasm evaluation trials.
- Plant genotypes of multiple species for evaluation in NC climate.
- Collect quality and performance data monthly on genotypes of multiple species.
- Organize data annually for analyses of trials by PI.
Sports Field Evaluations
- Assist PI in collecting data on sports turf performance as requested by the industry. Once trained, a person in this position may independently collect this data, with full analyses completed with assistance from PI.
- Field hardness
- Water infiltration
- Field wear
- Turfgrass coverage
- Biotic stresses
- Field uniformity and smoothness
- Presence of weed and other pests.
- Evaluation of irrigation system, via audits (below).
- Anticipate evaluation of 20 to 40 fields per year.
Turfgrass Water Requirements
- Utilization of existing extension publications which provide guidance for irrigation system audits, assist PI in evaluation of systems
- Calculation of irrigation runtimes using methods established in Water Requirements of NC Turfgrasses.
- Anticipate evaluation of 20 to 40 turfgrass irrigation areas per year.
- Once trained, a person in this position may independently evaluate systems.
Responses and contact with industry.
- As PI, I answer approximately 500 phone calls per year and over 1500 emails per year from stakeholders, producers, managers, and extension personnel. A person in this position will be assigned some portion of these extension requests depending on their current workload and expertise.
- A person in this position will also lead and assist in various extension meetings/trainings around the state of NC. Anticipate providing 10 to 20 programs per year based on requests and needs.
- A person in this position may be a point of contact for stakeholders, producers, managers, and extension personnel in responding to their needs.
Stakeholders, producers, managers, and extension personnel = this can be anyone that manages a turfgrass area, including but not limited to: homeowners, property managers, sod farmers, turfgrass seed producers, cemetery managers, DOT vegetation managers, landscape architects, sports field managers, park & recreation managers, golf course superintendents, school system employees (school superintendents, field manager, coaches), extension agents who support their local stakeholders, producers, and managers.
You Belong Here! At NC State, our goal is for all employees to reach their fullest potential at work. As you consider this opportunity, we encourage you to review our Employee Value Proposition (https://news.hr.ncsu.edu/you-belong-here/) and learn more about what makes NC State the best place to learn and work for everyone.
Other Responsibilities
- This position will also be responsible for maintaining turfgrass management equipment.
- Will need to occasionally transport turf machinery by driving a truck and trailer.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Minimum Education and Experience
- Master’s degree in Agronomy and Soils or related field or a Bachelor’s degree with at least three years of relevant turfgrass management experience.
Other Required Qualifications
- Must demonstrate excellent communication skills in writing and verbally.
- Must have experience with presenting or teaching.
Preferred Qualifications
- At least five (5) years of turfgrass management experience is preferred.
- Experience with turf management equipment.
- Experience handling chemicals/safety protocols.
Required License(s) or Certification(s)
- Must have and maintain an NC pesticide license within 60 days of the start date.
- Must have and maintain a valid NC Driver’s license within 60 days of start date.
Valid NC Driver's License required
YesCommercial Driver's License required
NoJob Open Date
10/10/2024Anticipated Close Date
Open Until FilledSpecial Instructions to Applicants
Please attach a Cover Letter, resume, and contact information for at least three professional references.
Position Number
00100286Position Type
EHRA Non-FacultyFull Time Equivalent (FTE) (1.0 = 40 hours/week)
1.0Appointment
12 Month RecurringMandatory Designation - Adverse Weather
Non Mandatory - Adverse WeatherMandatory Designation - Emergency Events
Non Mandatory - Emergency EventDepartment ID
110901 - Crop and Soil SciencesAA/EEO
NC State University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as an individual with a disability, or status as a protected veteran. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-515-3148 to speak with a representative at the Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity.
If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at (919) 515-2135 or workatncstate@ncsu.edu.
Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit.
NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.
If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at (919) 515-2135 or workatncstate@ncsu.edu.
Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit.
NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.
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