Instructor, Agronomy and Precision Agriculture

Salary

• $54,401.00
• POSITION TITLE: Instructor, Agronomy and Precision Agriculture
• DEPARTMENT: School of Agricultural Science

About the role

EMPLOYMENT TERMS: Full-time, 9-month, non-tenure track

Primary Duty

The School of Agricultural Sciences at Northwest Missouri State University is seeking an Instructor in Agronomy (Plant Protection) and Precision Agriculture. The successful candidate will be responsible for providing undergraduate instruction related to plant protection, crop science and precision agriculture that meets the needs of the School of Agricultural Sciences.

Ideal qualities: demonstrated potential for excellence in teaching, student support, university service, ability to integrate technology and experiential learning into course materials, versatile and willing to serve as an integral part of a diversified and active team of agricultural faculty.

Essential Functions

• Teach 24-26 credit hours per academic year of agronomy courses during the fall and spring semesters including the following courses: Weed Science, Applied Entomology, Agricultural Pesticides, Crop Scouting, Precision Agriculture Production, Precision Agriculture Services, Plant Diseases, Crop Physiology, Spray Application Technology, and other classes as needed
• Operate technologies relevant to discipline.
• Supervise and advise students and student organizations.
• Participate in University service including committee work and participation in departmental service projects.
• Collaborate with private and governmental entities.
• Commit to the development and execution of profession-based learning opportunities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Education: Master of Science in Agronomy or Crop Science or closely related field.
• Certification/License: Not applicable.

Experience: Knowledge of midwestern U.S. agriculture industry; knowledge of U.S. agricultural production and food system; teaching experience at the college/university level or relevant industry experience. Preference will be given to applicants who have experience in and knowledge concerning plant protection and/or precision agriculture.

Skills: Evidence of: successful teaching and curriculum development skills; knowledge of U.S. agricultural production systems; effective interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills; strong organizations skills; operation of relevant laboratory equipment; ability with GIS/GPS and emerging cropping systems; collaboration/outreach with government agencies & private entities

Working Conditions

Typical university classroom, office, and laboratory conditions

Supervisory Responsibilities

Supervise student employees and academic advisees

Equipment/materials Used

Common laboratory and field equipment used in agronomy and precision agriculture, common classroom equipment and software

Typical Physical Demands

Ability to complete essential functions in classroom and laboratory settings.

Community

Northwest Missouri State University located in Maryville, Missouri, a community of 12,000 with a diverse economy and a strong industrial base. Maryville is located 45 miles north of St. Joseph, Missouri, 90 miles north of Kansas City, Missouri, and 110 miles southeast of Omaha, Nebraska.

University

With an enrollment of more than 8,500 students, Northwest is a coeducational, primarily residential four-year university that offers a broad range of undergraduate and selected graduate programs on its Maryville campus and through Northwest Online.

Founded in 1905, Northwest boasts a high retention rate and a graduation rate in the 95th percentile among its peers. Additionally, results of the Ruffalo Noel Levitz Student Satisfaction Inventory show Northwest students are more satisfied than students at national peers, and 78 percent of Northwest students report they would repeat their university experience, compared to 75 percent of students surveyed nationally at their respective institutions.

Furthermore, the University is a national model for student success and career placement with 93 percent of bachelor's degree earners and 98 percent of master's degree earners securing employment or continuing their education within six months of completing a degree at Northwest, according to the most recent data.

Northwest places a high emphasis on profession-based learning to help graduates get a jumpstart on their careers while maintaining competitive tuition rates and generous financial assistance to help minimize the financial barriers students may face when pursuing a college degree.

Students have opportunities to build their résumés with experiences on campus in nearly every area of study, including the Horace Mann Laboratory School, National Public Radio affiliate KXCV, the R.T. Wright Farm, Mozingo Outdoor Education Recreation Area, a partnership with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency or Knacktive, a student-driven integrated digital marketing communications agency.

In conjunction with its emergency and disaster management program, Northwest organizes and hosts Missouri Hope, an annual mass casualty training exercise that attracts first responders and emergency workers from throughout the nation and provides hands-on training in preparation for a natural disaster.

The University's vibrant and diverse learning community also offers more than 150 student organizations, and textbooks and a laptop are included in tuition, saving students an estimated $6,900 over four years. Northwest offers 1,200 student employment positions, allowing students to build professional skills through its internationally benchmarked student employment program.