Assistant Professor of Practice

Oregon State University, United States

Updated: 3 days ago
Location: Salem, OREGON
Deadline: 28 May 2026

Position Details
Position Information


Department Crop/Soil Extn Field Fac (ACS)
Position Title Assistant Professor (Practice)
Job Title Assistant Professor of Practice
Appointment Type Academic Faculty
Job Location Salem
Benefits Eligible Full-Time, benefits eligible
Remote or Hybrid option?
Job Summary
The Division of Extension and Engagement invites applications for a full-time (1.00 FTE), 12-month, fixed-term Assistant Professor of Practice position. Reappointment is at the discretion of the regional director, department head, and program leader.
This Assistant Professor of Practice position is with the Division of Extension and Engagement’s (division) Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources program and serves Marion and Clackamas counties. The academic home for this Extension Field Crops position is the Department of Crop and Soil Science in the College of Agricultural Sciences at Oregon State University. This academic faculty member reports to the regional director assigned to the Western Region. Decisions regarding this position are in collaboration with the supervisory team, which includes the regional directors, the Department Head of Crop and Soil Science, and the Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Program Leader. Active contributions to scholarship are required (refer to the scholarly outcomes section below for details).
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.
The purpose of this Extension Field Crops position is to provide leadership in the development, implementation, synthesis, and evaluation of Extension and applied research in crop production systems for grass seed, legume seed, hops, small grain cereals, and other field crops in the assigned counties.
This position is responsible for designing, developing, maintaining and/or carrying out non-credit educational programs and outreach activities to serve broad and diverse populations in an accessible, inclusive, equitable, and socially just manner. This includes complying with civil rights and language/visual access regulations.
OSU is committed to advancing and applying state-of-the-science tools that foster meaningful interaction and engagement with partners and stakeholders. This academic faculty member is required to use modern learning and outreach tools including online and hybrid classes, multimedia and digital communications, employ and practice engaged scholarship, promote integration of programs across disciplines that are demand-driven and use open-source tools that continually align with innovation and shifts in educational program delivery. These activities will be included in the annual plan of work, impact statements, and summary of accomplishments/achievements.
The division has built the capacity and expectation for employees to use digital communications and technologies in the modern-day workplace. This reflects our demonstrable commitment to using digital communications tools and changing technologies as a primary way to raise Oregonian’s awareness of and engagement with our organization, programs and resources.
The College of Agricultural Sciences academic and professional faculty are committed to enhancing learner success by engaging them in quality academic, research, internships, global studies, and other experiential learning opportunities. Positions with primary responsibility for Extension and Engagement are likewise committed to learner success through programming appropriate for broad and diverse audiences.
Active and effective communication with colleagues and key stakeholders is critical to the success of this position. This position requires traveling/driving to various sites in Mid-Valley region.
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 OSU.
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. To learn more about our division and its core units and initiatives, please visit our division website : https://engagement.oregonstate.edu/ .
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.
Why OSU?
Working for Oregon State University is so much more than a job!
Oregon State University is a dynamic community of dreamers, doers, problem-solvers and change-makers. We don’t wait for challenges to present themselves — we seek them out and take them on. We welcome students, faculty and staff from every background and perspective into a community where everyone feels seen and heard. We have deep-rooted mindfulness for the natural world and all who depend on it, and together, we apply knowledge, tools and skills to build a better future for all.
FACTS:
• Top 1.4% university in the world
• More research funding than all public universities in Oregon combined
• 1 of 3 land, sea, space and sun grant universities in the U.S.
• 2 campuses, 11 colleges, 12 experiment stations, and Extension programs in all 36 counties
• 7 cultural resource centers that offer education, celebration and belonging for everyone
• 100+ undergraduate degree programs, 80+ graduate degrees plus hundreds of minor options and certificates
• 35k+ students including more than 2.3k international students and 10k students of color
• 217k+ alumni worldwide
• For more interesting facts about OSU visit: https://oregonstate.edu/about
Locations:
Oregon State has a statewide presence with campuses in Corvallis and Bend, the OSU Portland Center and the Hatfield Marine Science Center on the Pacific Coast in Newport.
Oregon State’s beautiful, historic and state-of-the-art main campus is located in one of America’s best college towns. Corvallis is located close to the Pacific Ocean, the Cascade mountains and Oregon wine country. Nestled in the heart of the Willamette Valley, this beautiful city offers miles of mountain biking and hiking trails, a river perfect for boating or kayaking and an eclectic downtown featuring local cuisine, popular events and performances.
Total Rewards Package:

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.
Oregon State University is deeply committed to the principles of a Health Promoting University. This commitment drives a collaborative approach across OSU’s safety and well-being programs, reducing silos and coordinating efforts to enhance employee safety and well-being. By prioritizing resources that support the health of both employees and students, OSU fosters a culture of care and a healthier campus environment where everyone can thrive.
2025 Best Place for Working Parents® Designation!
Future and current OSU employees can use the Benefits Calculator to learn more about the full value of the benefits provided at OSU.
Key Responsibilities
65% – Extension teaching and other assignments
a) Extension teaching
  • Utilize Oregon State University’s Quality Teaching Framework – which emphasizes inclusivity (audience consideration), evidence-based teaching practices (planning, engagement, teaching, assessment), and learner mentorship (reflection and learner support) – to deliver high-quality, non-credit educational experiences for Extension audiences.
  • Conduct on-going needs-assessment activities to determine the educational needs specific to this position’s broad audiences.
  • Following a prioritized needs assessment, develop, facilitate, and implement a comprehensive field crops Extension program to meet the needs of agricultural producers in assigned counties.
  • Deliver Extension non-credit educational programs that may include demonstrations, workshops, field tours, and field days, as well as the use of multiple methods of digital communications, including websites, publications, video conferencing, hybrid teaching, all Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) formats, and other digital/online methods for internal and external collaboration and/or information dissemination as appropriate.
  • Use effective Extension teaching methods that meet clientele needs, with materials, methods, and outcomes shared with peers in the state, region, and/or nation.
  • Design Extension programs that can be offered centrally or online to maximize client participation across the designated regions.
  • Design or adapt a clear evaluation protocol to evaluate and to report Extension program impacts locally, statewide, regionally and/or internationally.
  • Design culturally inclusive and socially cognizant materials for Extension non-credit programs that can be offered centrally or online to maximize client participation across the designated county.
  • Use technology as a tool to increase the reach and impact of program delivery for constituents including participating in Ask-Extension and using the division’s customer relationship management system.
  • Develop and maintain efficient methods for addressing high volumes of topically repetitive clientele inquiries through scholarly output such as Extension publications, videos, and other digital communications and engagement tools and strategies. Develop information for access by audiences with different communication styles and expectations.
  • Follow OSU and division brand guidelines, digital publishing standards and digital contact management data integrity practices for programmatic communications, marketing and engagement.
  • Extension teaching also includes individual contact teaching through one-on-one consultation and providing technical advice through digital communication tools and phone communication.
  • Engage and contribute to opportunities to enhance access, inclusion, and relevant best practices and include these activities in the annual plan of work, impact statements, summary of accomplishments/achievements, and promotion dossiers.
  • Create accessible and inclusive environments that make space for a range of learner needs and provide reasonable accommodations.
  • 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.
  • Travel/driving is required to access and engage stakeholders throughout the assigned counties.


b) Partnerships/collaboration/networking
  • Develop networks of formal and informal interest groups in subject matter areas where appropriate. Utilize partnerships with diverse interest groups to provide advisory support and to enhance program quality and delivery. This will likely include appropriate commodities and/or producer organizations.
  • Determine Extension program needs and priorities through use of local advisory groups, commodity commissions and other stakeholder groups, and meetings with field crop producers and industry leaders. Evaluate effectiveness and impact of Extension non-credit education programs and refine to meet changing needs.
  • Further identify program needs and priorities by engaging commodity commissions. Collaborate with other researchers, Extension academic and professional faculty, and public and private agencies to develop relevant science-based solutions to address prioritized challenges and opportunities.
  • Engage with community-based and regional organizations to support innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic development within local, regional, or state boundaries as appropriate.

c) Accountability
  • Develop annual plans of work that address educational needs as well as evaluate the quality and impact of Extension non-credit educational and applied research programs materials and digital communications.
  • Measure and report regularly on program impact in the Faculty Success online platform.
  • Implement fee-based programming and cost-recovery practices to support and enhance program delivery.
  • Solicit peer teaching evaluations and community evaluations of teaching per OSU Extension standards.
  • Serve as a team member of the grass seed/clover Extension working groups, as well as other workgroups related to the duties of this position.
  • Keep records and provide necessary reports to applicable division administration, the department and/or college, including plans of work, narrative reports, impact statements, statistical reports, and reports of accomplishments.
  • Report outputs and outcomes to Extension regional directors and elected officials (where applicable) in the areas served.
  • Provide community and statewide opinion leaders and decision makers with relevant, science-based topical information when requested.
  • Utilize appropriate and effective methods of communication to promote Extension programs and market Extension across Oregon and nationally.
  • Attend training opportunities to build basic knowledge and consistent skills to use digital communications, marketing, and engagement technologies relevant to position duties.
  • Complete the division’s civil rights training session(s).
  • 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.
  • Travel/driving is required to provide these Extension non-credit educational programming and services throughout assigned counties.

15% – Applied research
  • Conduct applied research activities that support Extension programming as well as demonstration trials to develop or confirm management practices for field crop production in areas of specific need and clientele interest. Collaboration is expected with colleagues in other supporting disciplines such as weed sciences, entomology, soil sciences, and plant pathology.
  • Evaluate and document applied research and Extension impacts of programs and communicate the results to identified audiences.
  • Collaborate with professional colleagues, industry members, and field representatives to develop and implement applied research programs in field crops.
  • Communicate applied research progress and results to relevant audiences using peer reviewed publications, professional meetings, commodity group presentations, Extension events and other digital communication and engagement tools and systems.
  • Design or adapt a clear evaluation protocol to evaluate and report applied research program impacts.
  • Individually and as part of teams, secure outside grants, and contracts and/or service fees to support and enhance position-appropriate educational and applied research programs and service activities. This academic faculty member is expected to meet all reporting requirements of the funding sources, department, college, and university.
  • Keep abreast of, and interpret scientific, technological and industry developments and trends at state, regional, national, and international levels.

15% – Scholarship
Assigned duties for this position are expected to result in scholarly outcomes. Refer to the Division of Academic Affairs Promotion Guidelines for Professor of Practice Appointments and Promotion.

Promotion to the rank of Associate Professor of Practice is based on evidence of the candidate’s:
  • High level of effectiveness in teaching and education including formal and informal community-based or-engaged instruction, advising, and other assigned duties;
  • Achievement in scholarship and creative activity that contributes to the body of knowledge or its application and dissemination in the candidate’s field(s) of expertise;
  • Appropriate level and balance of institutional, community, and professional service.

The criteria for Teaching, Advising, and Other Assignments provides guidelines for documenting and evaluating achievement in these areas.
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 the Willamette Valley and other relevant locations of the Pacific Northwest.
  • Work with the Oregon Seed Certification Service on seed certification issues that arise in your assigned counties.
  • Serve on college, departmental, and/or Extension committees.
  • Maintain active membership and involvement in professional organizations.
  • Attend training opportunities to build basic knowledge and consistent skills to use digital communications, marketing and engagement technologies relevant to position duties.
  • Provide mentorship for newer faculty and students where applicable.
  • Assist in cohesive marketing of Extension locally, regionally, and statewide.
What You Will Need
  • Master of Science degree in agronomy, crop science, soil science, plant protection or another discipline that addresses the duties of the position. Degree must be completed by application date.
  • Strong background and experience in crop production.
  • Demonstrated evidence of teaching, specifically non-credit education.
  • Experience conducting applied research related to agriculture.
  • Must have or be able to obtain an Oregon Department of Agriculture Pesticide Consultant License within six months of employment and maintain it throughout employment in this position.
  • A commitment to collaborative and respectful learning and working environments that are safe, inclusive, and welcoming.
  • Ability to incorporate multiple cultural perspectives in educational design and delivery.
  • Demonstrated ability to cultivate and maintain collaborations that include individuals with a diversity of expertise, skills, and backgrounds.
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills, with ability to communicate successfully with broad and diverse audiences in a culturally responsible manner.
  • General knowledge and ability to use computers, including proficiency with information technology, professional office software and collaborative work platforms.
  • Ability to learn and adapt to using multiple forms of digital communications tools and systems, including websites, email newsletters, social media, and other tools in a changing technological environment.
  • Ability to work as a team member with other professionals
  • Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
  • 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.
What We Would Like You to Have
  • Experience with Extension or other informal education delivery methods.
  • Experience or training in modern precision agriculture tools and management techniques.
  • Pest management (vertebrates, insects, weeds, or diseases) training or experience and familiarity with pesticide registration procedures.
  • Practical applied research skills, including the use of crop research equipment (e.g., weigh wagon, sprayer, fertilizer spreader, ATV, tractor).
  • Experience applying agricultural pesticides and/or fertilizers.
  • Experience with seed production or other field crops similar to those produced in the Willamette Valley.
  • Experience with digital engagement strategies, including use of online content, multimedia, email campaigns, customer relationship management systems or marketing methods.
  • Ability to conduct data analysis with statistical software (e.g., SAS, R, Statistix).
  • Ability to secure external funding to support applied research and educational programs.
  • Ability to incorporate multiple cultural perspectives in educational design and delivery.
Working Conditions / Work Schedule
  • Extension teaching and applied research activities may take place outdoors and other settings such as field conditions, including inclement weather.
  • Flexibility to perform work in a variety of office and work settings. Mornings, evenings and weekends may be required based on responsibilities, events and other non-credit educational programming needs.
  • The position requires traveling/driving to deliver non-credit educational programming and services throughout the assigned counties in the Western region, as necessary.
Pay Method Salary
Pay Period 1st through the last day of the month
Pay Date Last working day of the month
Recommended Full-Time Salary Range $60,990 up to $80,004
Link to Position Description
https://jobs.oregonstate.edu/position_descriptions/50537

Posting Detail Information


Posting Number P09839UF
Number of Vacancies 1
Anticipated Appointment Begin Date 08/31/2026
Anticipated Appointment End Date
Posting Date 04/02/2026
Full Consideration Date 04/16/2026
Closing Date 05/28/2026
Indicate how you intend to recruit for this search Competitive / External - open to ALL qualified applicants
Special Instructions to Applicants
To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 04/16/2026. Applications will continue to be accepted after the full consideration date, until a sufficient applicant pool has been achieved or the position is filled. The closing date is subject to change without notice to applicants.
When applying you will be required to attach the following digital documents:
1. Curriculum vitae/resume: Finalists will be required to give an open presentation which may include the distribution of their redacted curriculum vitae/resume and a short biography
2. Cover letter that addresses each required qualification
You will also be required to submit the names of at least three professional references, their e-mail addresses and telephone numbers as part of the application process.
For additional information please contact: Christy Tanner, christy.tanner@oregonstate.edu
Due to funding limitations, OSU will not sponsor immigration work authorization for this position (e.g., H-1B, etc.).

Accommodations and/or Accessibility Requests:
Please reach out to the Search Chair with any requests or questions related to accommodations and/or accessibility relating to the interview process. Alternatively, requests may be directed to the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access at (541) 737-3556.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability, protected veteran, and other protected status.
OSU will conduct a review of the National Sex Offender Public website prior to hire.
OSU is a fair chance employer committed to inclusive hiring. We encourage applications from candidates who bring a wide range of lived experience including involvement with the justice system. This job has “critical or security-sensitive” responsibilities. If you are selected as a finalist, your initial job offer will be contingent upon the results of a job-related pre-employment check (such as a background check, motor vehicle history check, sexual misconduct reference check, etc.). Background check results do not automatically disqualify a candidate. Take a look at our Background Checks website including the for candidates section for more details. If you have questions or concerns about the pre-employment check, please contact OSU’s Employee and Labor Relations team at employee.relations@oregonstate.edu .

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