Program Director For Aquaculture Extension

• Program Director For Aquaculture Extension

Program Director For Aquaculture Extension
The Program Director for Aquaculture Extension works under the direction of the Assistant Extension Director of Agriculture and Natural Resources within the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences to provide high-level planning, coordination and implementation of effective and comprehensive region-wide Extension programming. Working in conjunction with the North Central Region Aquaculture Center (NCRAC), this position will provide leadership for the development and implementation of regional research and extension projects which improve production and productivity of aquaculture farming operations across the North Central Region, will participate in state aquaculture conferences across the North Central Region; and will work directly with aquaculture producers across the North Central Region; participate in national aquaculture conferences.

Programming includes multiple annual hands-on activities and training programs geared towards new and established farmers; have established connections in the United States aquaculture community which will lead to more effective workshops and trainings by bringing in experts on various topics from different regions of the country as applicable; creates and leads an OSU Urban Aquaculture/Aquaponic Task Force to increase Extension's ability to educate urban farmers more effectively - especially in areas of Ohio that have significant food deserts; identifies and addresses areas of weakness regarding Aquaculture Extension programming and works with the OSU Extension team to increase effectiveness; responsible for establishing and strengthening partnerships with associations and organizations for potential revenue avenues in a liaison fashion for aquaculture farmers (e.g. restaurant and grocer associations, Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife, Ohio Department of Agriculture, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency); works closely with regional and nation-wide associations to encourage aquaculture recognition and assistance in the state of Ohio; enhances connections with Ohio Sea Grant to foster growing relationships to increase Extension programming; works closely with the Ohio aquaculture industry on on-farm research and demonstration projects which aim to intensify production and evaluates economic feasibility of intensification as available; supervises program personnel as grant funding affords; edits, participates in and coordinates OSU's new Buckeye Aquafarming newsletter to increase technology transfer; participates in and leads grant projects which specifically foster new applied research knowledge for the Ohio aquaculture community or leads to an extended Extension programming; increases contact within CFAES and beyond within OSU to increase guest lectures given to undergraduate and graduate students which encourages a more comprehensive understanding of aquaculture to the next generation; serves on and leads multiple internal and external boards. The program director is expected to develop a nationally recognized extramural funded research and extension program including presenting at regional and national meetings and publishing research results in appropriate refereed and non-refereed outlets.

MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience. Advanced degree in relevant field may be desirable. 6 years of relevant experience required. 8-12 years of relevant experience preferred.

This position location is to be determined/statewide.