Agent Associate-Horticulture

The Agent Associate-Horticulture and Master Gardener Coordinator will administer all aspects of the Baltimore County Home Horticulture Extension program that involves developing an educational program that meets the needs of Baltimore Counties’ diverse residents and communities including:

• Developing, conducting, and evaluating educational seminars, classes, workshops, and other presentations related to home and non-commercial horticulture.
• Coordinating the Master Gardener Program in Baltimore County which includes volunteer recruitment, training, and coordination of community-based projects.
• Developing educational products including fact sheets and other publications, web content, YouTube® videos, social media blogs, podcasts, websites, etc.
• Responding to clientele requests via phone, email, or face-to-face for information on lawn care, landscape plants and trees, environmentally friendly landscape alternatives, fruit and vegetable production, pest control, and other subjects related to home horticulture,
• Providing appropriate literature and advice in a timely and professional manner.
• Identify plants, insects, and other horticulture samples submitted by clientele and respond with information and recommendations in a timely and professional manner.
• Providing pest control and fertilizer recommendations in accordance with University of Maryland guidelines.
• Disseminating horticulture information to Baltimore county residents through news releases, website updates, etc.
• Assisting in collecting, reporting, and evaluating Home Horticulture and Master Gardener programs in accordance with funding requirements and UMD policy.
• Developing and maintaining collaborative relationships with agricultural organizations and other relevant organizations, and seeking new partnerships with traditionally underserved audiences to deliver outreach education with a focus on serving the Baltimore County community.
• Offering a regular presence in the Extension office located in Cockeysville, MD with possible home/site visits when appropriate and with safety concerns in mind.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in horticulture, agricultural education, environmental sciences or natural resources, landscape architecture/management, entomology, applied plant science and/or agronomy or in a related field.

Experience:

• Documented one year of experience working with volunteers and diverse audiences of all socio-economic levels.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Demonstrated leadership and management abilities.
• Working knowledge of accepted home horticulture practices.
• Self-motivated, flexible, innovative, and resourceful with skills and experience in conducting community-based education programs.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Knowledge and use of computer technology for educational programming and management.
• Evidence of capacity to build UME Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Respect capacity through Extension program model.

This position is subject to a Criminal History Record Check. Employment is contingent upon successful completion and clearance of the Criminal History Record Check.

Flexible working hours required; must be available for evening and weekend programs and meetings and a valid driver’s license and access to an automobile for travel.

Preferences:

• Master’s Degree preferred.
• Three years of experience working with volunteers and diverse audiences of all socio-economic levels.
• Major areas of study in fields related to horticulture, agriculture education, applied plant science and agronomy.