We are seeking a dynamic, community-engaged professional to serve as the Agriculture & Master Gardener Coordinator with the Oregon State University Extension Service in Josephine County, Oregon.
This community-centered position connects residents with practical, research-based education in community and commercial horticulture while providing leadership and coordination for the Josephine County Master Gardener volunteer program. The coordinator will work collaboratively with community partners, volunteers, and stakeholders to deliver high-quality educational programs that address local needs and strengthen community engagement.
This is a 12-month, full-time, county-based position located in Grants Pass, Oregon. The starting salary range is $62,000-$67,000 commensurate with education, skills, and experience.
As a land grant institution committed to teaching, research, and outreach and engagement, Oregon State University (OSU) mission is to promote economic, social, cultural and environmental progress for the people of Oregon, the nation and the world. This position contributes to the mission of the College of Agricultural Sciences, with principal responsibility for needs assessment; for development, delivery, and evaluation of Extension non-credit program and educational material; and for conducting applied research to support Extension activities.
This Ag & Master Gardener Coordinator develops and conducts non-credit educational programs and contributes to applied field research activities in topic areas relevant to community and commercial horticulture. This individual works collaboratively with regional agricultural producers, agriculture and natural resource agencies, and OSU academic and professional faculty to plan, organize, deliver, and evaluate non-credit educational programs and provide farm-related problem-solving services.
This position also provides leadership for the Josephine County Master Gardener volunteer program. In this role, the Ag & Master Gardener Coordinator oversees volunteer recruitment, training and retention; organizes volunteer middle managers; and collaborates with the local Master Gardener Association. This Coordinator is expected to develop community horticulture classes in gardening for the general public, for delivery personally or through volunteers or other collaborators.
About Josephine:
Josephine County is one of 36 counties in Oregon and is in south Oregon. Josephine County is known for its exceptional climate, beautiful scenery and abundant recreational opportunities. The OSU employees and trained volunteers of the OSU Extension Service in Josephine County work alongside local partners to provide educational workshops, activities, and services tailored to the unique industries, natural resources, and people in the Josephine County communities.
About Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) Program:
The Division of Extension and Engagement’s Extension ANR program aims to promote improvements in the economic, environmental and social well-being of Oregon residents. The ANR program serves broad and diverse audiences in Oregon communities having specialized interests by delivering information through academic and professional faculty who have a presence in 36 county offices, 11 branch agricultural experiment stations at 14 locations, and who represent 11 academic departments at Oregon State University.
About the Division:
The Division of Extension and Engagement (division) is core to Oregon State University’s mission. The division helps create real solutions and positive impact across Oregon and beyond. The division is aligned under the leadership of the Vice Provost for Extension and Engagement. More information about our division and its core units and initiatives is available on the division’s website.
Oregon State University strives to ensure that all educational programs, services, activities, and materials we offer to the public are identified, developed, delivered, and evaluated in an accessible, inclusive, equitable, and socially just manner. OSU division’s educational programs, services, activities, and materials are available to all people. OSU division prohibits discrimination in all its programs, services, activities, and materials. All employees are responsible for and expected to comply with Civil Rights obligations and actively work to expand access to all eligible populations.
Position Duties
45% Community and commercial agriculture
- Assess the needs of farming communities within Josephine County and design engaged non-credit educational programs to address identified gaps and issues.
- Collaborate with the OSU’s Extension state academic and professional faculty, professional colleagues, Master Gardener volunteers, and community partners to develop and deliver, and/or organize and host, a wide range of community and commercial horticultural non-credit educational programs to audience from broad and diverse backgrounds and cultural identities.
- Provide local expertise for gardeners in the Rogue River Valley and across Josephine County, and grow expertise in regionally relevant horticulture topics, such as waterwise gardening orchard operations including integrated pest management, crop production, marketing, food systems, and natural resource conservation and enhancement.
- Collaborate with colleagues across the state to support the design, development, delivery, and evaluation of statewide farm food safety non-credit educational programs that may include classes, workshops, short courses, seminars, webinars, field tours, web-based instructional modules, videos, etc.
- Implement and maintain a robust fee-based programming that enables cost-recovery for community and commercial horticulture programs; and solicit external funding to support and enhance these programs.
- Respond to routine phone, correspondence, and walk-in questions regarding gardening and natural resource management, in Josephine County. This will include working with a broad and diverse audiences such as current and potential Master Gardeners and the general public as appropriate and in partnership with agriculture and natural resources academic and professional faculty assigned to the region.
- Provide Extension programming and instruction utilizing current approved principles of Integrated Pest Management (IPM).
- Serve as an active member of the Community Horticulture Working Group, contributing to the development of innovative program practices and educational materials. This Coordinator may join other Ag Extension working groups to enhance the position needs as appropriate.
- Participate in group activities with other Extension agriculture academic and professional faculty across the state to collectively address emerging community issues related to community and commercial horticulture. This may include participating in projects that attract programmatic funding.
- Meet the information needs of local and regional audiences by accessing information from a variety of sources and disseminating through appropriate mechanisms (e.g., web, newsletter, newspaper, radio, television, internet, presentations, etc.).
- Organize, utilize, and maintain a program advisory committee and/or network.
- Develop, implement, and maintain an annual plan of work that addresses urban, community, and commercial horticultural non-credit educational needs.
- Document the impact and effectiveness of non-credit educational programs and volunteer management activities.
- Conduct and coordinate local pesticide recertification efforts for stakeholders as well as answer any pesticide related questions from the public.
- Maintain Oregon Department of Agriculture Pesticide Consultant License throughout employment to stay up to date with the science of pesticides and answer pesticide related questions.
45% Master Gardener volunteer and program management
- Coordinate and design/implement/deliver/evaluate the Master Gardener Extension programs and materials as well as support for all gardening related education in Josephine County, which will require frequent traveling/driving within the county and occasionally outside the county.
- Provide leadership and volunteer management for the local Master Gardener volunteer program.
- Provide oversight of volunteers who have various identities, cultural backgrounds, and communication styles and expectations.
- Oversee recruitment, training, and volunteer retention activities.
- Develop and maintain an effective volunteer middle management structure.
- Develop and support the delivery of innovative, needs-based community non-credit educational programs and services (including the Plant Clinic) with the Josephine County Master Gardener Association.
- Collaborate with peer academic and professional faculty members and other professionals to ensure volunteers learn, and disseminate, information that is research-based and representative of best management practices.
- Encourage and support active and effective volunteer outreach through community education and education-related services.
- Ensure outreach activities and non-credit educational programs serve a broad and diverse range of populations.
- Serve as liaison to the local Josephine County Master Gardener Association, advising on volunteer management and non-profit organizational procedures, and promoting activities consistent with the Oregon State University Master Gardener Program.
5% Organizational accountability
- Use digital communication and technology as a tool to increase the reach and impact of program delivery on constituents including participating with Ask Extension and using the division’s customer relationship management system.
- Use multiple methods of digital communication tools to collaborate internally and externally as appropriate.
- Collaborate with and contribute to Extension programs beyond the Josephine County.
- Implement fee-based programming and cost-recovery practices, develop partnerships, and solicit external funding to support and enhance non-credit educational programs as appropriate.
- Develop an annual plan of work addressing educational needs as well as evaluating the quality and impact of educational programs provided to audiences as appropriate.
- Organize and maintain program advisory and management committees and/or networks to identify program needs, make recommendations, assist in program implementation, and evaluate program effectiveness.
- Evaluate and communicate the outcomes of program activities and file reports required by county, department, college and university administrators.
- Create opportunities to enhance access, inclusion, and relevant best practices and include these activities in the annual plan of work, impact statements, and summary of accomplishments/achievements.
- Create accessible and inclusive environments that make space for a range of learner needs and provide reasonable accommodations.
- Follow OSU and division brand guidelines, digital publishing standards and digital contact management data integrity practices for programmatic communications, marketing and engagement.
- Attend training opportunities to build basic knowledge and consistent skills to use digital communications, marketing and engagement technologies relevant to position duties.
- Complete the university’s required training courses.
- Complete the division’s civil rights training session(s) and coordinate the completion by volunteers.
- Report appropriate civil rights data from educational programming and outreach activities into the division’s reporting system for the internal civil rights review.
- Actively contributes to and upholds a workplace culture that is respectful, inclusive, safe, and collegial, fostering open and constructive communication and mutual respect in all interactions.
5% Service
- Be actively involved in regional and statewide Extension programs that promote engagement with communities across the state.
- Cooperate with agencies and organizations in Josephine County and other relevant locations.
- Serve on university and/or Extension committees as appropriate.
- Attend university, Extension, industry and professional organization training and in-service programs to improve ability and knowledge to provide effective service to area farmers and allied industry personnel.
- Maintain active membership and involvement in professional organizations.
- Participate in training opportunities that provide professional development that includes building expertise around access and inclusion.
- Market Extension programs locally, statewide, and nationally.
Minimum/Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in horticulture, agriculture, or closely related field OR Bachelor’s degree with three years of relevant experience related to agriculture or horticulture. Degree must be completed by start date.
- Demonstrated teaching (formal and/or informal) skills that are appropriate for adult learners and volunteers.
- Must have or be able to obtain an Oregon Department of Agriculture Pesticide Consultant License within six months of employment and maintain the license throughout employment.
- A commitment to collaborative and respectful learning and working environments that are safe, inclusive, and welcoming.
- General knowledge and ability to use computers, including proficiency with information technology, professional office software and collaborative work platforms.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills, with ability to communicate successfully with broad and diverse audiences.
- Ability to serve audiences from different backgrounds and with different life experiences and to incorporate broad and diverse perspectives into educational outreach.
- Ability to learn and adapt to using multiple forms of digital communication systems, including websites, email newsletters, social media, and other tools in a changing technological environment.
- Demonstrated ability to lead/supervise volunteers.
- Ability to lead groups and to plan, organize, evaluate, manage, and delegate details associated with program management.
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and evidence of good time management skills.
This position is designated as a critical or security-sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a criminal history check and be determined to be position qualified as per University Standard: 05-010 et seq. Incumbents are required to self-report convictions and those in youth programs may have additional criminal history checks every 24 months.
This position requires driving a university vehicle or a personal vehicle on behalf of the university; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a motor vehicle history check, possess and maintain a current, valid driver’s license in their state of residence, be determined to be position qualified and self-report convictions as per University Policy 05-030.
Preferred (Special) Qualifications
- Minimum of one (1) year experience with Extension or other informal or community education delivery methods.
- Minimum of one (1) year experience leading/supervising of volunteers.
- Training and experience in consumer horticulture, plant diagnostics, plant pathology and/or entomology.
- Fluent in Spanish including translation, interpretation, and teaching.
- Demonstrated understanding of needs and impact assessment techniques and their application to Extension programs and services.Ability to secure external funding support for educational programs.
- Ability to incorporate multiple cultural perspectives in educational design and delivery.
Benefits
Oregon State University offers a comprehensive benefits package with benefits eligible positions that is designed to meet the needs of employees and their families including:
- Medical, Dental, Vision and Basic Life. OSU pays 95% of premiums for you and your eligible dependents.
- Free confidential mental health and emotional support services, and counseling resources.
- Retirement savings paid by the university.
- A generous paid leave package, including holidays, vacation and sick leave.
- Tuition reduction benefits for you or your qualifying dependents at OSU or the additional six Oregon Public Universities.
- Robust Work Life programs including Dual Career assistance resources, flexible work arrangements, a Family Resource Center, Affinity Groups and an Employee Assistance Program.
- Optional lifestyle benefits such as pet, accident, and critical illness insurance, giving you peace of mind and the support you need to thrive in all aspects of your life.
To review the posting and apply, go to https://jobs.oregonstate.edu/postings/181254. Apply to posting #P10013UF. For full consideration, applications must be received by July 16, 2026. Closes July 26, 2026. OSU is an EOE/Vets/Disabled employer.
