POSITION DESCRIPTION

 Position:  Assistant Professor, Apiculture Extension Entomologist (12-month, 100% Extension), Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University

Location: Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Overton, Texas

Effort: 75% Extension, 25% Applied Research

Overview: The Apiculture Extension Entomologist will develop and deliver Extension Apiculture educational programs with a supporting applied research component designed to resolve problems of importance to the small-scale, sideliner, and commercial beekeeping industries in Texas. This individual will develop, administer, and lead the statewide Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Apiary Program and supervise the activities carried out by support staff.

 Primary Responsibilities:

• Provide technical expertise on honey bee management.
• Develop a statewide Extension apiary program servicing small scale, sideliner, and commercial beekeepers.
• Coordinate all Extension and applied research activities related to the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Apiary Program.
• Use traditional and innovative Extension outreach techniques to educate diverse audiences including small- medium-, and large-scale beekeepers, bee-pollinated fruit and vegetable producers, and home gardeners.
• Provide support and training for Extension County Programs and County Agents.
• Administer and lead the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Apiary Program budget, activity reporting, and personnel.
• Manage and coordinate the Texas Master Beekeeper Program.
• Work closely with the Texas A&M University Honey Bee Research Program, the Texas Apiary Inspection Service, and Texas beekeeper associations.
• Develop an applied research program related to beekeeping, pollinator health, and pollination.
• Secure funding from appropriate sources and publish the results of research and other creative activities including peer-reviewed journals, Extension outlets, and trade magazines.
• Participate in the training of graduate students and provide service to the Department of Entomology, the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Overton, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, and professional societies or organizations.

Required Qualifications:

• A Ph.D. in Entomology or a closely related discipline.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent managerial skills.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Advanced knowledge and experience in honey bee biology and beekeeping.
• The ideal candidate will have experience in assessing and improving honey bee health that includes pest and pathogen diagnosis and treatment, bee nutrition, bee genetics, queen breeding, honey production, and pollination.
• Evidence of scholarship through scientific and/or Extension presentations and publications.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and collaborate with diverse audiences including faculty, stakeholders, and other clientele.
• Expertise with modern communication strategies such as web-based publications and effective use of social media.

The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Apiary Program: The Texas A&M AgriLife Apiary Extension Program is a new statewide program that will be developed and led by the Apriculture Extension Entomologist. The program will be comprised of the Apriculture Extension Entomologist, an Extension and Applied-Research Technician, two full-time Extension Program Specialists, and one, one-third time Extension Program Specialist. Extension Program Specialists will be located in key areas of Texas where beekeeping outreach programming is in greatest demand. The Texas A&M AgriLife Apiary Program is well funded and will provide sufficient fiduciary support for all Texas A&M AgriLife Apiary Extension Program personnel salaries and benefits, and operating expenses.

Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Overton: The Overton Center is located in northeast Texas and constitutes one of the main hubs for the beekeeping industry in Texas. The Overton Center is located at 1710 N. FM 3053, Overton, TX 75684. The Overton Center houses 11 Research and Extension faculty, providing excellent opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration. Facilities include greenhouses, laboratory and office space, and an auditorium. Research can be conducted in greenhouse, laboratory, and at three research farms totaling 1,650 acres.

Administrative Relationships: The incumbent will be a faculty member in the Department of Entomology at Texas A&M University, supervised jointly by the Associate Department Head for Extension Entomology and the Entomology Department Head. The Extension Entomologist will be a part of the faculty at the Overton Research and Extension Center and will work with faculty, staff, and administrative staff at the Center.

Salary and Benefits: Salary and benefits will be competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience. Benefits available include group medical insurance, dental insurance, group and individual life insurance, long-term disability insurance, workers’ compensation, retirement plan with Texas A&M System contribution, sick leave, annual leave, paid holidays and administrative leave days, and unemployment compensation.

Closing Date for Applications. Review of applications will begin November 20, 2023, and will continue until the position is filled.

Application Instructions: 

• A cover letter including the applicant’s vision for Extension, applied research, and administrative philosophy for the Texas A&M AgriLife Apiary Extension Program;
• A resume or curriculum vitae; and
• Contact information for three references.
• Selected candidates will be required to provide academic official transcripts upon request.

External candidates should apply through the Texas A&M Extension Service External Applicants web portal for position R-065364.

Internal candidates should apply through WorkDay for position R-065364.

 Questions:

• Contact Peggy Lundstrom (lundstrom@ag.tamu.edu) for additional application instructions.
• Contact Dr. David Kerns at kerns@ag.tamu.edu more information about the position.
• Visit http://entomology.tamu.edu for additional information about the Department of Entomology at Texas A&M University.
• Visit https://overton.tamu.edu/ for additional information about the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Overton.
• Visit https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/ for additional information about the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer