Job Details

Extension Assistant, UT Extension: Department of Plant Sciences - UTIA

Position Number: 6136962
Location: Chattanooga, TN
Position Type: Agriculture - Extension

Extension Assistant, UT Extension: Department of Plant Sciences - UTIA
Knoxville, TN, United States

Job Identification: 2567
Job Category: Extension Service
Posting Date: 04/09/2025
Job Schedule: Full Time
Locations: 2505 E J Chapman Drive, Knoxville, TN, 37996, US (On-site)

Job Description
The Department of Plant Sciences at the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture is seeking qualified applicants for a regular Extension Assistant I position.

Salary and Benefits: Salary is commensurate with training and experience. This is a grant-funded, regular position with benefits that is expected to last approximately 4 years. Additional funding will be sought to continue the position beyond the stated period.

Job Description: Provide day-to-day support for sustainable ornamental plant production extension and applied research program. Support includes coordinating nursery producer workshops, field days, online programming, and field-based demonstrations at UT Research and Educations Centers and with nursery producers. Central topics include 1) improving cost efficiency through substrate selection, fertilizer placement, and enhanced irrigation technology and 2) evaluating automated laser-guided fungicide and herbicide spray application technology, automated laser-guided plant inventory, and other high- and low-tech forms of automation to improve nursery efficiency and profitability. More information about the program can be viewed at: https://plantsciences.tennessee.edu/sustainable-nursery-crop-and-landscape-management/

Responsibilities

Confer with the extension specialist on extension objectives and oversee day-to-day extension program planning, preparing, conducting and evaluating
Under the supervision of the specialist, develop and maintain extension demonstrations and applied research plots including plant care, collect data, photograph demonstrations, and summarize outcomes into a format useful to the nursery crop industry
Revise, develop distance learning modules
Work with the specialist to manage funded projects, including reporting and recordkeeping
Supervise undergraduate students
Contribute to report/proceedings/manuscript preparation

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in plant sciences, entomology, plant pathology, biosystems engineering, biology, or related field.
Two years' applied research or extension assistant experience.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

Must have a valid U.S. driver license at time of application and a safe driving record
Must be well-organized, including preparation for off-campus projects, have the ability to plan ahead, and be able to manage and prioritize responsibilities for multiple projects
Must be able to effectively communicate in English, orally and in writing

Our ideal candidate has:

Must be reliable and flexible. Care for plants, time-sensitive data collection and other responsibilities may necessitate limited weekend and holiday responsibilities; occasional overnight travel required
This position has a substantial field component. Must be able to work long hours on occasion as well as travel to middle Tennessee during field season (generally day trips) and work in a range of outdoor weather conditions.
Must have the ability to apply sound judgment, represent the University positively, work independently, communicate, and collaborate effectively

UT Extension provides a gateway to the University of Tennessee as the outreach unit of the Institute of Agriculture. With an office in every Tennessee County, UT Extension delivers educational programs and research-based information to citizens throughout the state. In cooperation with Tennessee State University, UT Extension works with farmers, families, youth and communities, to improve lives by addressing problems and issues at the local, state and national levels.

Interested applicants should apply at and attach the following:

Letter of Interest
Curriculum vita or resume
Phone and email contact information for 4 references
Official transcript(s) showing degree(s) conferred

Application review will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Contact: For additional information, please contact

Dr. Amy Fulcher
301 Ag. And Natural Resources Building
2505 E.J. Chapman Drive
Knoxville TN 379996
Fax: (865) 974-1947
TTY/TTD: (865) 974-7245
E-mail: afulcher@utk.edu
Web Site: http://utextension.tennessee.edu

About Us
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees-the Volunteers-who uphold the university's tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service.

UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee's flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy's largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service.

UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices that attract and retain a diverse community and that support a culture where everyone matters and belongs.

The university holds a strong commitment to its land-grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as "Best Employer for New Graduates," "One of America's Best Large Employers," and "Best Workplace for Women," and has been designated as "Best Place for Working Parents" by Forbes Magazine.

Apply today and join the Tennessee Volunteer community!

To apply, visit https://fa-ewlq-saasfaprod1.fa.ocs.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1/job/2567/?mode=location