Extension Assistant

Texas A&M University; College Station (TX); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid holidays

Paid vacation

Job summary

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service is seeking an Extension Assistant in College Station, TX to support plant disease diagnostics and the TPDDL-CS head diagnostician. The role includes maintaining lab operations and equipment, and assisting with the Texas FIRST DETECTOR education program.

The ideal candidate will coordinate education outreach, recruit/train volunteers, and contribute to stakeholder resources while performing other duties as required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
• Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others.
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Support TPDDL-CS Head Diagnostician with diagnostic tests and data management.
• Maintain and manage the TPDDL-CS laboratory and equipment.
• Develop and implement Texas FIRST DETECTOR education program and train volunteers.
• Create outreach materials for stakeholders and assist education activities.
• Perform other duties as required.

Skills

multitask

cooperation

interpersonal skills

verbal communication

written communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field

Tools

Microscopy

Genomic extractions

Real-time PCR

Conventional PCR

Job description

## Extension AssistantApply: College Station, TX: Full time: Posted Today: R-097101**Job Title**Extension Assistant**Agency**Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Service**Department**Plant Pathology & Microbiology**Proposed Minimum Salary**Commensurate**Job Location**College Station, Texas**Job Type**Staff**Job Description****About Texas A&M AgriLife**Texas A&M AgriLife is comprised of the following Texas A&M University System members:* Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service* Texas A&M AgriLife Research* College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University* Texas A&M Forest Service* Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic LaboratoryAs the nation’s largest most comprehensive agriculture program, Texas A&M AgriLife brings together a college and four state agencies focused on agriculture and life sciences within The Texas A&M University System. With over 5,000 employees and a presence in every county across the state, Texas A&M AgriLife is uniquely positioned to improve lives, environments and the Texas economy through education, research, extension and service.Click **here** to learn more about how ***you*** can be a part of AgriLife and make a difference in the world!**Position Information**The Extension Plant Clinic & Education Assistant is responsible for conducting plant disease diagnostics and supports the Texas Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab (TPPDL-CS) Head Diagnostician in the general operations of the TPDDL-CS. This individual will also be responsible for maintaining and assist in the managing of the Texas FIRST DETECTOR education program.**Responsibilities:**40%: Support and assist TPDDL-CS Head Diagnostician in activities of the TPDDL-CS such as, but not limited to performing various diagnostic tests and providing support in data recording and management of plant samples; responsible for general care and maintenance of the laboratory and laboratory equipment.40%: Maintain, manage and implement the Texas FIRST DETECTOR education program. Activities include, but not limited to, implementing and conducting Texas FIRST DETECTORs training programs, update and develop educational resources for this program, assess and evaluate the effectiveness of this educational program. Individual is expected to identify, recruit, train and support FIRST DETECTOR volunteers.10%: Assist PLPM Program personnel to develop, produce and delivery education outreach materials and resources to stakeholders.10%: Other job related duties as required.**Required Qualifications:*** Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.* Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others.* Strong interpersonal and organizational skills.* Excellent verbal and written communication skills.**Preferred Qualifications:*** Experience in a clinical (diagnostic, biology or chemistry) lab is highly desirable.* Experience with education outreach (teaching) of adults and/or youth.* Diagnostic lab skills preferred include knowledge and proficiency in microscopy, genomic extractions, real-time PCR, conventional PCR.* Preferred teaching skills with education outreach of adults and/or youth.**What You Need to Know****Salary:** Compensation for this position is commensurate based on the selected candidate’s qualifications.**Why Work at Texas A&M AgriLife?**When you choose to ***work*** for Texas A&M AgriLife, you become part of an organization that is an established leader in agriculture and life sciences with a wide range of capabilities to meet the needs of our statewide, national, and international constituents.In addition, Texas A&M AgriLife offers a comprehensive benefit package including the following:* Health, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance with Texas A&M AgriLife contributing to employee health and basic life premiums* 12-15 days of annual paid holidays* Up to eight hours of paid sick leave and at least eight hours of paid vacation each month* Automatic enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas* Employee Wellness Initiative for Texas A&M AgriLife**Applicant Instructions**Applications received by Texas A&M AgriLife must either have all job application data entered or a resume attached. Failure to provide all job application data or a complete resume could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application. We encourage all applicants to upload a resume or use a LinkedIn profile to prepopulate the online application.**Required Documents**CV/ ResumeAll positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.