Program Specialist II-1

Job Title

Program Specialist II-1

Agency

Texas A&M Agrilife Research

Department

Rangeland, Wildlife & Fisheries Management

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

College Station, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

About Texas A&M AgriLife

Texas A&M AgriLife is comprised of the following Texas A&M University System members:

• Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
• Texas A&M AgriLife Research
• College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University
• Texas A&M Forest Service
• Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory

As the nation’s largest most comprehensive agriculture program, Texas A&M AgriLife brings together a college and four state agencies focused on agriculture and life sciences within The Texas A&M University System. With over 5,000 employees and a presence in every county across the state, Texas A&M AgriLife is uniquely positioned to improve lives, environments and the Texas economy through education, research, extension and service.

Click here to learn more about how you can be a part of AgriLife and make a difference in the world!

Position Information

Responsibilities:

Educational Program Development and Delivery

• Develop, coordinate, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive statewide Extension program addressing feral hog biology, ecology, damage assessment, population management, and control.
• Deliver educational programs throughout Texas for landowners, agricultural producers, wildlife managers, natural resource professionals, County Extension Agents, and other relevant audiences.
• Develop and deliver workshops, field days, demonstrations, webinars, seminars, conferences, and other educational events addressing feral hog management.
• Identify emerging feral hog management issues and develop timely educational responses to stakeholder needs.
• Provide technical support and subject-matter expertise to County Extension Agents and other AgriLife personnel addressing feral hog-related questions and management concerns.
• Assist County Extension Agents in identifying local feral hog management needs and developing programs tailored to local conditions.

Applied Research and Result Demonstrations

• Collaborate with Extension Specialists, faculty, County Extension Agents, landowners, agricultural producers, and natural resource agencies to identify priority feral hog management questions.
• Design, coordinate, and assist with applied research projects and result demonstrations evaluating feral hog management techniques, technologies, and strategies.
• Assist County Extension Agents in developing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating local feral hog result demonstrations.
• Collect, manage, analyze, and interpret data generated through applied demonstrations and Extension projects.
• Translate findings from applied research and demonstrations into practical recommendations for landowners, producers, natural resource professionals, and the public.
• Collaborate with Texas A&M AgriLife Research and other research partners to facilitate the transfer of research findings into Extension programming.

Extension Publications and Educational Materials

• Develop, write, edit, and update Extension publications addressing feral hog management and related wildlife damage issues.
• Develop fact sheets, technical reports, management guides, decision-support tools, presentations, curricula, and other educational resources.
• Translate peer-reviewed research into practical Extension recommendations and educational materials.

Digital and Social Media Outreach

• Develop and contribute science-based content for AgriLife Extension websites, newsletters, social media platforms, videos, podcasts, webinars, and other digital communication channels.
• Work with Extension communications professionals and faculty to develop engaging content that communicates feral hog management concepts to diverse audiences.
• Develop timely educational content in response to emerging feral hog issues, management technologies, regulatory changes, and stakeholder concerns.
• Utilize digital technologies and innovative communication strategies to expand the reach and impact of feral hog Extension programming.

Stakeholder and Partnership Development

• Establish and maintain productive relationships with landowners, agricultural producers, County Extension Agents, wildlife professionals, natural resource agencies, agricultural organizations, conservation organizations, municipalities, and other stakeholders.
• Collaborate with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, USDA Wildlife Services, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute, universities, state and federal agencies, and other organizations involved in feral hog management.
• Serve as a representative of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension at relevant meetings, conferences, workshops, field days, and professional events.
• Identify opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration involving wildlife management, agriculture, rangeland management, water resources, economics, animal science, and other relevant disciplines.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in wildlife science, wildlife management, natural resources, range science, agricultural science, biology, ecology, or a closely related field.
• Two years of experience in wildlife management, natural resource management, agricultural production, wildlife damage management, or a closely related field.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's or non-thesis Masters in wildlife science, wildlife management, natural resources, range science, agricultural science, biology, ecology, or a closely related field.
• Experience specifically related to feral hog biology, ecology, damage management, population control, trapping, or integrated wildlife damage management.
• Experience designing, implementing, or evaluating applied field research or result demonstrations.
• Experience developing Extension publications, peer-reviewed scientific publications, technical reports, or other educational materials.
• Experience delivering educational programs to landowners, agricultural producers, wildlife professionals, or other adult audiences.
• Experience working with County Extension Agents or comparable outreach networks.
• Experience with quantitative data analysis and interpretation.
• Experience developing educational content for websites, social media, video, webinars, or other digital platforms.
• Demonstrated record of professional presentations, publications, or Extension programming related to wildlife or natural resource management.

Preferred Licenses, Certifications, or Registrations:

Remote Pilot Certificate

Required Knowledge, Abilities, and Skills:

The successful candidate should demonstrate:

• Demonstrated knowledge of wildlife biology and management principles.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences through oral and written communication.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively with faculty, staff, agents, landowners, producers, and other stakeholders.
• Ability to organize and manage multiple projects and priorities.
• Ability to use standard word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, database, and online communication technologies.
• Understanding of wildlife damage management principles and their application to agricultural and natural resource systems.
• Ability to translate scientific information into practical recommendations for nontechnical audiences.
• Strong organizational and project-management skills.
• Ability to develop and maintain collaborative relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to interpret scientific literature and communicate research findings accurately.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of interdisciplinary teams.
• Ability to travel extensively throughout Texas and occasionally outside the state and work occasional evenings, weekends, and extended hours associated with educational events and field activities.

Preferred Knowledge, Abilities, and Skills:

The successful candidate should demonstrate:

• Strong knowledge of feral hog biology, ecology, behavior, and management.
• Knowledge of integrated feral hog damage management and population control strategies.
• Ability to design, implement, and evaluate applied field demonstrations.
• Ability to develop innovative educational programs and materials.

What You Need To Know

Salary: Compensation for this position is commensurate based on the selected candidate’s qualifications.

Position Funding: This position is grant funded and availability is contingent on grant funding.

Why Work at Texas A&M AgriLife?

When you choose to work for Texas A&M AgriLife, you become part of an organization that is an established leader in agriculture and life sciences with a wide range of capabilities to meet the needs of our statewide, national, and international constituents.

In addition, Texas A&M AgriLife offers a comprehensive benefit package including the following:

• Health, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance with Texas A&M AgriLife contributing to employee health and basic life premiums 
• 12-15 days of annual paid holidays  
• Up to eight hours of paid sick leave and at least eight hours of paid vacation each month
• Automatic enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas  
• Employee Wellness Initiative for Texas A&M AgriLife

Applicant Instructions

Applications received by Texas A&M AgriLife must either have all job application data entered or a resume attached. Failure to provide all job application data or a complete resume could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application. We encourage all applicants to upload a resume or use a LinkedIn profile to prepopulate the online application.

Required Documents

Please attach Cover Letter, CV/Resume, Transcript, References & other documents. Any questions, please contact Dr. Marcus Blum @ [email protected]

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.