Founded in 1856, University of Maryland, College Park is the state’s flagship institution. Our 1,250-acre College Park campus is just minutes away from Washington, D.C., and the nexus of the nation’s legislative, executive, and judicial centers of power. This unique proximity to business and technology leaders, federal departments and agencies, and a myriad of research entities, embassies, think tanks, cultural centers, and non-profit organizations is simply unparalleled. Synergistic opportunities for our faculty and students abound and are virtually limitless in the nation’s capital and surrounding areas. The University is committed to attracting and retaining outstanding and diverse faculty and staff that will enhance our stature of preeminence in our three missions of teaching, scholarship, and full engagement in our community, the state of Maryland, and in the world.

Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information reported by the background check will not automatically disqualify you from employment.

The University of Maryland has made the safety of our students, faculty and staff, and our surrounding communities a top priority. As part of that commitment, the University requires that students, faculty, and staff on the UMD campus be vaccinated against COVID-19. As a prospective and/or a new employee at UMD, you will be required to comply with the University’s vaccination protocol. Proof of full vaccination will be required before the start of employment in order to work at any University of Maryland location. Prospective or new employees may seek a medical or religious exemption to the vaccination requirement at return.umd.edu and must have an approved exemption prior to the start of their employment. Failure to provide proof of vaccination or to obtain approval for a medical or religious exemption will result in the offer of employment being rescinded.

POSITION INTRODUCTION
The Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture invites applications for a 9-month tenure-track position of Assistant Professor with a 75% Teaching, 25% Extension appointment. The tenure home is the Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland. The Department conducts research, Extension and teaches curricula focusing on Plant Biology (Turfgrass Science, Plant Pathology, Plant Biology, Forest Ecology and Landscape Management), Agriculture Science and Technology (Horticulture, Agronomy, Agriculture and Extension Education) and Landscape Architecture. A faculty member holding this position is expected to lead the newly formed Graduate Program in Extension Education and work collaboratively with faculty and students across departments in the College (including University of Maryland Extension), as well as with faculty and students in other colleges such as the College of Education.

The University of Maryland, College Park, MD, is a Land Grant university in Maryland with world-class research, teaching and Extension activities and is located in Maryland near suburban Washington, DC (8.5 miles from US Capital). The University of Maryland is the most ethnically and one of the most racially diverse members of the Big Ten Conference. The 1300-acre campus has outstanding research libraries and facilities and has Metrorail access. Our proximity to Washington D.C. Baltimore, Annapolis, and Maryland’s Biotechnology Corridor offers significant opportunities to interact and collaborate with a range of nearby government agencies, non-profit organizations and research institutions such as the USDA, Smithsonian Institution, Environmental Protection Agency, NASA, and the Department of Education.

This position builds on a newly formed undergraduate specialization (Agricultural & Extension Education) and graduate program in Extension Education. Duties will include (1) teaching undergraduate and graduate courses related to Extension Education and social science statistics; (2) conducting Extension activities with a range of constituents including Extension educators, (3) advising undergraduate and graduate students; (4) seeking external funding to conduct research related to information delivery; and (5) contributing to Department goals including those related to scholarship, diversity, equity, inclusion, and access. With respect to the teaching component, the faculty member will teach 3-4 courses per year (courses may include AGST605- Extension Research Methods with Applied Data Analysis, AGST 606 Program Planning and Evaluation in Agricultural Education, AGST 630 Teaching-Learning in Adult and Continuing Education). Teaching assignments will adjust with program needs. When necessary, a share of the teaching appointment may consist of supervising pre-service teachers during their teaching experience.

Education:
PhD in agricultural education, Extension education, or a closely related field and have expertise related to information delivery,  communication, distance learning, and/or other novel delivery techniques.

Experience:
Teaching experience at the secondary level.
 
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Faculty members are expected to serve the professional community through review of publications and participation on competitive grant panels, in national and international professional meetings, and other activities. It is also expected that this individual will participate in other duties and committees as require by the department, college and
university, and interact with educational organizations representing their field in the state and region.

The University of Maryland, College Park, an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, age, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, creed, marital status, political affiliation, personal appearance, or on the basis of rights secured by the First Amendment, in all aspects of employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.