Description & Details:
Agricultural Education Specialist
AgTech Workforce, Industry and Innovation Center (AgWIIC)
Full-Time, Benefited Position, 12-month contract (with possibility of renewal based on performance and grant funding)
Position Summary
The Agricultural Education Specialist serves as a key contributor to the AgTech Workforce, Industry and Innovation Center (AgWIIC), a statewide initiative to strengthen North Dakota’s agricultural workforce ecosystem. AgWIIC’s mission is to advance a community-centered AgTech workforce system that aligns partners and leverages data, partnerships, and funding to accelerate North Dakota’s agricultural economy.
This position leads the design, development, and delivery of agricultural education and workforce training systems that support career pathways, agricultural literacy, and workforce readiness. The Specialist plays a central role in building scalable, high-quality curriculum and training resources aligned with industry needs and accessible across North Dakota.
Working collaboratively with the AgWIIC team, educators, Extension professionals, and workforce partners, the Specialist ensures that educational programming contributes to a coordinated, scalable, and data-informed workforce system.
The position includes a limited teaching appointment within Agricultural and Family Education (AFE) to maintain strong alignment with formal education systems and inform curriculum development.
The position reports to the AgWIIC Director and Program Coordinator of AFE and works closely with AgWIIC team members, Extension specialists, and education partners statewide.
Key Responsibilities
Curriculum Development
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Lead development of scalable curriculum and instructional resources supporting agricultural literacy, workforce readiness, and AgTech career pathways aligned with AgWIIC priorities.
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Build and maintain a centralized AgWIIC curriculum repository and resource-sharing system.
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Document and share best practices, tool kits, and program frameworks to support statewide adoption.
Program Evaluation and Developing External Partnerships
Teaching and Program Leadership
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Maintain a teaching appointment in the Department of Agricultural and Family Education (AFE), typically one undergraduate course per semester.
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Train educators, Extension professionals, and volunteers on AgWIIC-developed curriculum and program delivery.
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Provide professional development opportunities that build local capacity for agricultural education and workforce programming.
Minimum Qualifications:
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Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Education or a closely related field.
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Minimum of three years of teaching experience at the secondary level.
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Demonstrated experience in curriculum development and instructional design.
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Strong communication and organizational skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences.
Preferred Qualifications:
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Master’s or Ph.D. in Agricultural Education or related field.
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Experience working with Extension, Workforce Development Programs, Agricultural Education, or community-based education initiatives.
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Familiarity with agricultural systems, AgTech, and workforce trends.
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Experience developing training programs, toolkits, or online learning resources.
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Experience evaluating educational programs and using data to inform improvement.
Position Expectations:
Work Schedule:
Hiring Range:
Salary: Commensurate with qualifications and experience
Pay is based on several factors, including budget, labor market, prior experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and/or certification and other business considerations.
Applicant Materials Required:
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Cover letter.
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Resume / CV.
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3 references.
Screening will begin: 8/25/26
Our commitment to caring for our employees isn’t just words—it’s proven. In NDSU’s most recent Gallup Engagement Survey, our strengths centered on care and development. “My supervisor, or someone at work, cares about me as a person” and “I have the opportunities to learn and grow”, were noted as top drivers. This reflects the culture you’ll experience here.
Join a workplace that invests in your well-being, your future, and your success.
Full-time employees are eligible for the following benefits:
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100% employer-paid health insurance premiums for single and family coverage
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Choice of PPO/Basic or High Deductible Health Plan with HSA
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Coverage begins the first of the month after your hire date
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Wellness incentives for healthy lifestyle participation
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Employer retirement contributions ranging from 7.5% up to an impressive 12.26%, depending on position
(One of the strongest retirement packages in the region!) - Your future is a priority, and it shows.
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Generous annual leave, sick leave, and 10 paid holidays
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Employee Assistance Program for confidential support
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Supportive work-life balance
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Tuition waivers for employees (up to three classes per calendar year)
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50% tuition waiver for spouse/partner and dependents
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Supplemental Life, Dental, Vision, Long-Term Care
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Flexible Spending Accounts (Health & Dependent Care)
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Supplemental Retirement Plans
About Us:
North Dakota State University is distinctive as a student focused, land-grant, research university. We educate leaders who solve national and global challenges by providing affordable access to an excellent education that combines teaching and research in a rich learning environment.
NDSU is in the highest Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, R1, granted to the top research institutions in the country.
NDSU has offices across the state of North Dakota, and the main campus is in Fargo, on the Minnesota border. Along with Moorhead, Minnesota, Fargo forms one of the largest metropolitan centers between Minneapolis and Seattle. The community is consistently ranked as one of the best places to live.
NDSU is committed to fostering a community where differences are recognized as strengths. Rooted in our land-grant mission, we work together to meet the needs of North Dakota and its communities through education, research and outreach.
Equal Opportunity Statement:
NDSU does not discriminate in its programs and activities on the basis of age, color, gender expression/identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, participation in lawful off-campus activity, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, public assistance status, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, spousal relationship to current employee, or veteran status, as applicable. Direct inquiries to: Vice Provost, Title IX/ADA Coordinator, Old Main 201, NDSU Main Campus, Fargo, ND, 58108, 701-231-7708, [email protected].
No Smoking Notice:
As an employer, the State of North Dakota prohibits smoking in all places of state employment in accordance with N.D.C.C. § 23-12-10.
Veteran’s Preference Notice:
This position is subject to North Dakota Veteran’s Preference requirements.
Reasonable Accommodation Information:
North Dakota State University is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education, and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, please contact Human Resources at 701-231-8961 or [email protected].
