Cooperative Extension
Position Title: Extension Agricultural Engineer Professional
Department: Cooperative Extension
Reports To: Program Administrator
Position Type: This is a year-round professional position, contingent upon funding, the successful acquisition of funding to support the continuation of the position (after year three), and successful job performance.
Purpose: The Extension Agricultural Engineer will support Maine’s farm-based, producer community by providing civil and mechanical engineering advice.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
● Work with diverse farm-based producer community across the state to identify and prioritize their needs for applied engineering advice related to food production and processing.
● Advise Maine farmers regarding engineering-related problems and projects addressing issues such as facility design, refrigeration and cooling, heating and ventilation, manure and nutrient management, water use and quality, and energy. Assess projects for scope of work and cost estimation.
● Assist farm-based food producers in scoping needs and projects for private sector design assistance and understanding projects designed.
● Develop a combination of pilot projects, demonstrations, research, written materials, consultations and outreach events that engage farmers and food processors in acquiring and utilizing new knowledge.
● Seek and secure relevant extramural funding to develop and expand outreach and research efforts as part of an ongoing, vibrant applied engineering program.
● Manage grant-funded projects as the principal investigator or co-principal investigator.
● Partner with colleagues and stakeholders such as the UMaine College of Engineering, Advanced Manufacturing Center, funded research projects, and student projects that relate to food production and processing.
● Serve as a liaison to the UMaine School of Engineering to serve as a connection for student internships, mentorships and to provide occasional educational programming.
● Supervise engineers, technicians and student employees in both UMaine facility’s and field locations.
● Develop and maintain professional relationships that reflect courtesy, civility, and mutual respect.
● Perform other reasonably related duties as assigned.
Knowledge and Skills Qualifications:
Required:
● Bachelor’s degree, in agricultural, civil, or mechanical engineering or a closely related field, plus approximately five years of demonstrated experience in engineering application in the area of food production and/or processing or closely-related field is required,
● Valid professional engineers license in the state of Maine, or ability to become licensed within 180 days of employment,
● An understanding of practical small business considerations,
● Ability to work effectively with individuals and teams,
● Demonstrate strong written and oral communication skills and project management skills,
● Understand the Land Grant mission of extending knowledge and research to the people of the State and thereby contribute to the sustainable and long-term social and economic development of communities is required.
Supervisory Responsibilities: The incumbent will likely be responsible for supervising a technician as well as assisting graduate and undergraduate students in area of expertise.
Work Schedule: Normal University of Maine business hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Work outside of normal business hours will occasionally be necessary in order to complete the requirements of the position.
Work Environment: Work may be performed in a laboratory, classroom, office or remote field site. Workload priorities may need to be shifted and schedules changed in order to meet multiple deadlines.
Schedule for Evaluation: According to the University of Maine Professional Staff Association (UMPSA) agreement.
Proposed Salary Range: $65,000 - $70,000
Schedule for Evaluation: In accordance with the UMPSA agreement
Appropriate background checks are required.
If applicants have questions about the position, they can contact the chair of the search committee by emailing Mark Hutchinson at mhutch@maine.edu
For a complete job description, and to apply:https://umaine.hiretouch.com/job-details?jobID=67210&job=extension-agricultural-engineer-professional
