Careers in Quality

The precision agriculture specialist position is a joint appointment with 60% research and 40% extension responsibilities. Research responsibilities include being the lead investigator for developing, implementing, and reporting the outcomes of projects focused on the precision agriculture research program at the Center. Extension responsibilities include developing an innovative Extension program that provides needs assessment, educational program planning and development, delivery of precision agriculture educational material, and program evaluation. The scope of projects addressed within the precision agricultural program remain flexible to allow one to respond to the changes in technologies that are occurring in this discipline. The precision agriculture program will involve investigations that include unmanned aerial systems, soil and crop variability mapping to support variable rate application technologies, and the development of decision support aids. The specialist actively participates in the development and implementation of research projects that investigate this scope of work and then provides educational outreach.

This position includes, but is not limited to, the following responsibilities.
• Provide leadership for the development and implementation of research projects and Extension programs that address precision agriculture practices.
• Be a member of a statewide Extension team responsible for providing leadership to create and deliver innovative learning experiences that empower North Dakotans to improve their lives and communities.
• Coordinate and collaborate with other NDSU, regional and national project leaders on joint research.
• Prepare proposals for submission to national, state, and industry RFPs to compete successfully for extramural funding to assist in maintaining program focus.
• Provide analysis, interpretation and report upon outcomes of research program.
• Develop and disseminate current research-based educational materials and programming.
• Interact closely with producers, Extension agents and specialists, regulatory agencies, crop commodity organizations, and livestock organizations.
• Develop and report upon the department’s federal project (CRIS) for precision agriculture.

Minimum Qualifications
• PhD in a precision agriculture, agronomy, soil science, bio-systems engineering or closely related field
• Vision and ability to lead a diverse, relevant and productive research and educational program.
• Demonstrated ability to foster and maintain strong collaborations.
• Working knowledge of crop production systems, field crops and agricultural equipment.
• Documented experience in data handling, coding, and analysis.
• Strong interpersonal and effective oral and written communication skills.
• Experience and understanding of Extension and outreach programming.

Preferred Qualifications
• Experience with use and analysis of geospatial and remote sensing data.
• Experience with operation of Unmanned Aerial Systems.
• Experience with ARC Map, ARC GIS Pro, and/or other GIS software.
• Experience with field crops and production systems of the Great Plains.
• Documented experience preparing research proposals and obtaining extramural funding.

About NDSU Carrington Research Extension Center

The Carrington Research Extension Center (CREC) is one of seven NDSU Research Extension Centers and is located approximately 140 miles from the North Dakota State University campus at Fargo. The CREC has four scientists and four area extension specialist positions in the areas of agronomy, plant pathology, nutrient management and animal science. A professional and technical staff of 14 supports the CREC and NDSU based programs. The general responsibilities of the CREC include research and extension projects that address dryland and irrigated crop production, plant pathology, the soil resource, cropping/tillage systems, crop pest management, beef nutrition and beef production systems, nutrient/livestock management, crop and livestock integration, and foundation seedstocks production. The Carrington Research Extension Center is located in the drift prairie region of North Dakota and conducts research and educational programs for a significant part of North Dakota. This position is located at the Carrington Research Extension Center near Carrington, North Dakota. Carrington is a thriving rural community of approximately 2,500 people in a widely diversified agricultural production r...egion of east central North Dakota. Carrington has progressive schools (K-12), modern medical services (clinic and hospital), and many recreation opportunities. The Carrington Research Extension Center conducts research and educational programs to enhance the productivity, competitiveness, and diversity of agriculture in central North Dakota. The central location of the Carrington Center is significant in that research programs address research needs representing a significant part of agriculture in North Dakota.

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Connections working at NDSU Carrington Research Extension Center