Assistant Grazing Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Farmer Engagement Support Coordinator
Job no: 536833
Work type: Staff
Senior management: Agriculture & Life Sciences
Department: School of Plant & Environmental Sci
Location: Blacksburg, Virginia
Categories: Agriculture / Life Science
Job Description
This position is supported through Advancing Markets Program grants designed to strengthen grassland resilience and promote management practices that enhance the ecosystem services and productivity of forage-livestock production systems. The successful candidate will work directly with agricultural producers to implement grazing and land management practices and monitor their impacts over time.
The position reports to the State Forage Extension Specialist and the Engagement Supervisor and collaborates closely with producers, Virginia Cooperative Extension agents, Small Farm Outreach Program agents, agency personnel, forage industry partners, and faculty, staff, and students within Virginia Tech's Sustainable Grasslands Lab in the School of Plant and Environmental Sciences.
The successful candidate will provide direct technical assistance to agricultural producers, coordinate and deliver outreach and educational programming, support applied research initiatives, and assist with the administration of grassland management programs. These efforts will focus on advancing resilient, sustainable, and productive grazing systems through the integration of research, Extension programming, and stakeholder engagement.
The role will support producers in implementing best management practices and participate in monitoring and evaluation efforts, including soil health and other ecosystem indicators, to assess the impacts of management changes on participating farms.
Success in this position requires the ability to work collaboratively with farmers, researchers, students, Extension personnel, and community stakeholders. The ideal candidate will be highly organized, possess strong communication and relationship-building skills, and be capable of coordinating field-based research and outreach activities that support both scientific and producer-driven objectives.
Required Qualifications
-Bachelor's degree in agronomy, crop and soil sciences, animal science, environmental science, agricultural education, natural resources, or a related field; or equivalent education and experience.
-Demonstrated experience working with agricultural producers, landowners, or natural resource stakeholders.
-Knowledge of forage, grazing, pasture, or grassland management principles.
-Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build effective working relationships with diverse stakeholders.
-Ability to work independently, manage multiple projects and priorities, and coordinate activities across multiple locations.
-Experience collecting, managing, and maintaining accurate field, research, or program data.
-Valid driver's license and willingness to travel regularly throughout Virginia, including to farms and field sites.
Preferred Qualifications
-Experience with warm-season native grass and/or silvopasture establishment, management, and outreach.
-Experience conducting field research, on-farm trials, or participatory research projects.
-Knowledge of soil health principles, soil sampling techniques, and conservation-oriented agricultural practices.
-Experience developing and delivering educational programming, workshops, field days, or Extension outreach activities.
-Experience coordinating the work of students, interns, volunteers, or research personnel.
-Familiarity with grant-funded projects and associated reporting requirements.
Pay Band
4
Overtime Status
Exempt: Not eligible for overtime
Appointment Type
Restricted
Salary Information
50,000-60,000
Hours per week
40
Review Date
07/19/2026 (Open until filled)
Additional Information
The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.
About Virginia Tech
Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.
Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.
Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.
If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Dr. John Fike at jfike@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.
Advertised: June 26, 2026
Applications close:
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