Director of Institute for Ag Professionals

Title: Director of Institute for Ag Professionals

Job code: 0006, Non-Exempt Temporary (up to 67 days in a calendar year)

Employee Group: Department of Agricultural and Natural Resources Systems (ANR)

Full/Part Time (FTE): Part time, 0-40 hours per week depending on time of year, with no more than 67 calendar days worked in a calendar year

Regular/Temporary: Ongoing

Office location: St. Paul Campus; St. Paul, MN this is an in-person position where flexible hybrid options may be available.

Estimated salary range: $50-65/hr

Apply by: July 9, 2026

The University of Minnesota Extension Department of Agricultural and Natural Resource Systems conducts crop production education programming for agricultural professionals through a suite of events collectively referred to as the Institute for Ag Professionals (IAP). The three core program elements are the Field School for Ag Professionals, the Crop Pest Management Short Course & Minnesota Crop Production Retailers (MCPR) Trade Show, and the Research Updates for Ag Professionals. The demand for IAP's programming is strong as a result of the quality of the programming as it responds not only to the Certified Crop Advisor accreditation needs but, most importantly, because of the desire of the agricultural professionals to stay abreast of the latest research and best management practices. By targeted and focused programming to agricultural professionals, the IAP and the University of Minnesota Extension is able to impact a large swath of Minnesota's acreage with the agricultural professionals serving as the primary distributor of the research-based information by sharing what they learn with their clients.

The Director of IAP will be responsible for IAP strategic planning and goal setting, budget development and management, developing and maintaining relationships both internal to Extension and the University as well as with external partners, and programmatic oversight of Extension personnel working with IAP programming.

This position will report to the Program Leader for the Crops team in the Department. The office location for this position is on the St. Paul campus at 203 Hayes Hall in St. Paul, MN with some limited hybrid working arrangements being possible.

This position uses a timecard to record time. A weekly schedule will be between 0-40 hours depending on the program needs and time of year. Significant work periods will be during the planning stages for each of the three major events as well as during the events themselves. Effort for the late July Field School starts with planning in late winter, effort for the December Short Course occurs in early summer and effort for the winter Research Updates starts in mid-fall. The position will primarily work days, with very occasional evening and weekend work needed when implementing the actual program events.

• Lead the IAP program in its vision, goal-setting, and long range strategic planning efforts
• Develop and manage a program budget, with a focus on maintaining the program's fiscal sustainability
• Recruit and convene planning committees and implementation teams of campus and field faculty along with external collaborators when appropriate and feasible
• Develop and maintain relationships with external organizations (e.g. the Minnesota Crop Production Retailers association) important to the success of the program
• Provide programmatic supervision of Extension personnel working with IAP programming
• Accountable for evaluation and reporting systems regarding IAP programs

• A master's degree in agronomy
• At least 10 years of professional experience leading Extension educational programming for agricultural audiences (producers, agronomists, crop consultants, etc)
• Experience developing a program budget, including developing a revenue plan to ensure the program is financially sustainable, ideally related to crop production
• Experience conducting peer-reviewed and published research related to crop production
• Demonstrated experience in successfully writing, implementing and reporting grant work in partnership with commodity groups
• Demonstrated experience developing relationships with the agricultural community in the upper Midwest, including in Minnesota
• Demonstrated knowledge of the Certified Crop Advisor accreditation requirements

• Valid driver's license and own means of transportation with required liability insurance.
• Ability to travel within Minnesota for IAP in-person programming. Mileage and sustenance reimbursement provided according to University policies.
• When not in the assigned office location, employees must be reachable with a mobile number at the employee's own expense. That number will be published in the Extension staff directory.
• Must have reliable internet if/when working outside of assigned office location.
• Ability to maintain a flexible work schedule, including occasional evening or weekend work.
• Working ability to perform tasks involving frequent repetitive motions, prolonged sitting and standing, bending, twisting, and lifting and carrying 10 pounds frequently, with occasional exertion of up to thirty pounds of force. Work is conducted indoors and outdoors, in all types of Minnesota weather conditions and environments.
• This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship.

• PhD in agronomy, crop science or a related field.
• Experience working for a land grant institution with direct Extension programming for an agricultural audience (producers, agronomists, crop consultants, etc)
• Past participation in IAP programming

University of Minnesota Extension is a major outreach arm of the University of Minnesota with a mission to serve the public through applied research and education. Our mission is to make a difference by connecting community needs and University resources to address critical issues in Minnesota. https://extension.umn.edu/.

In the Department of Agricultural and Natural Resource Systems (ANR), we work with purpose to deliver research-based programming that improves lives, environments and the communities in which we live and work. We value engagement, inclusion, discovery, integrity, growth, and balance.

Pay Range: $50-$65/hr depending on education/qualifications/experience.

Retirement plan options are available for Civil Service, Faculty, Labor-Represented, Professional & Administrative, and Temp Casual classifications. Learn more about retirement plans.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.