Position Title: Extension Specialist/Agricultural Legal & Policy Specialist

Employee Classification: Ext State Specialist

College/Division: Cooperative Extension Service

Department: 311000-EXTENSN ANIMAL RESOURCES

Internal or External Search: External - Open to all applicants

Location: Las Cruces

Offsite Location (if applicable): Job location is negotialbe within the state of New Mexico

Target Hourly/Salary Rate:  Commensurate on experience

Appointment Full-time Equivalency:  1.0

Exempt or Non-Exempt:  Exempt

Summary:  Searching for an extension specialist to conduct analysis and provide professional interpretation on federal, state and county statutes and policies influencing agricultural and natural resources in New Mexico.

Classification Summary:
Extension Specialists provide New Mexico's citizenry and communities with effective leadership and collaboration to foster economic, educational, and community development.

Classification Standard Duties:
The Department of Extension Animal Sciences and Natural Resources is committed to providing the citizens of New Mexico with research based, practical and applied educational programming that meet the demands New Mexico has in the agricultural and natural resource communities. The Extension Animal Science and Natural Resources department provides educational information to the public, on public land policy, grazing management, brush and weed control, riparian management, livestock and dairy production and wildlife management. Specialists serve as information sources for Extension faculty and livestock and land managers. They also conduct regional and state workshops, and demonstrational and short-term research projects.

Required Education, Experience, Certification/License, Equivalency
Law degree (JD) and an agricultural degree required. Bachelors, Masters or PhD degree preferred in Animal Science, Natural Resources, Agricultural Economics, or closely related field.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
• Demonstrated ability to effectively interpret federal and stale statutes, regulation and policy regarding water, land management, the environment, livestock, and estate planning that influence agricultural production and natural resource management in New Mexico.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret legal decisions (case law) that impact agriculture and natural resource management in New Mexico and subsequently expound and offer practical applications to stakeholders on the same.
• Ability to effectively communicate {oral and writing) legal interpretations to agriculture and natural resources stakeholders including county Extension agents. specialists, and the general public in diverse communities throughout New Mexico.
• Ability to develop formal educational programs to inform, guide, lead and interpret legal matters relevant lo agriculture and natural resource stakeholders, including industry.
• Demonstrated ability and willingness to effectively interact with and relate to people of all ages, incomes, education levels and ethnic backgrounds.
• Ability to work with other faculty and staff; work as a team member; work cooperatively with landowners, livestock producers, government agencies, and environmental interests; communicate effectively, both in writing and orally, with individuals and groups.
• Knowledge or willingness to learn Cooperative Extension Service philosophy and approach to meet the defined mission, same for land grant university structure and mission

Job Duties and Responsibilities
This is a 100% Extension appointment, 12 month, tenure track.
Located on NMSU Las Cruces campus or off campus within the state of New Mexico with approval of Associate Dean/Director for the Cooperative Extension Service.


Mission and Need: New Mexico State University is searching for a dynamic individual to serve as an innovative and collaborative extension specialist in the Extension Animal Sciences and Natural Resources Department (EASNR) in the College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences (ACES).
The Legal and Policy Specialist would conduct analysis and provide professional interpretation on federal, state and county statutes and policies influencing agricultural and natural resources in New Mexico. As a member of the Cooperative Extension Service, the Legal and Policy Specialist would be teaching and providing scholarly programs beyond the classroom to a broad diversity of New Mexico citizens and stakeholders. The position would not have a formal teaching appointment but would be available to guest lecture in the classroom.
• Develop and implement an effective Extension education program on legal topics relevant to agricultural producers and natural resources managers.
• Interpret and disseminate relevant legal interpretations of statutes, regulation, policy and case law related to agriculture and natural resource management related issues, for practical use by clientele through mass media, publications, stakeholder meetings, symposia, and other proven Extension methods.
• Collaborate with NMSU Extension Specialists in formulation of legal interpretations relevant to specific disciplines (e.g., state and federal dairy industry environmental regulations and policies, National Environmental Policy Act, water law, animal welfare law).
• Write and revise Extension publications.
• Develop materials, teaching aids, methods and techniques for educational programs for off-campus educational programming.
• Participate in educational TV, radio and news media.
• Provide programs, training and assistance to county Extension agents in New Mexico.
• Provide legal interpretations of existing and proposed statutes, regulations and policies to the agricultural industries and natural resources managers in New Mexico.
• Establish a regional and national presence complimentary to the New Mexico Cooperative Extension Service.
• Acquire external funding to support, develop, and conduct Extension programs.
• Maintain close working relationships with industry, statewide organizations and government agencies and other agriculture and natural resources groups.
• Actively participate in department activities by attending meetings and serving on appropriate committees.
• Other responsibilities as agreed to with the department head of Extension Animal Sciences and Natural Resources.
• Promote CES programs within the districts to meet the LEADS 2025 Equity, Inclusion and Diversity goals prioritizing the program expansion to non-traditional demographics.
• Foster collaborations and participate in activities and on research teams that support the work of the Center of Excellence in Food and Sustainable Agriculture (CESFAS).

Preferred Qualifications

Special Requirements of the Position
Statewide responsibilities, may require travel.

*The following documents are required. Please include on the application:
-Your resume/cv
-Cover letter (limit 600 words)
-Transcript (undergraduate and graduate)
-A statement of your contributions to diversity, equity and inclusion. For more information about this requirement see: https://eid.nmsu.edu/eid-statements/index.html
-Concise statement of Extension & outreach interests, goals and objectives for this position (2 page maximum).

Applicants should arrange to have 3 persons who agree to provide written and verbal references submit reference letters (2-page limit preferred). Referees should indicate the duration and nature of their professional relationship with the applicant in the first paragraph. It is recommended that letters specifically address the accomplishments of the candidate that will enable them to meet the specified responsibilities of the position.

Department Contact:  Marcy Ward, Robert Hagevoort (co-chairs) 575-646-5947, maward@nmsu.edu

Contingent Upon Funding: Not Applicable

Bargaining Unit Eligibility: This is NOT a bargaining unit position with American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

Standard Work Schedule: Standard (M-F, 8-5)

If Not a Standard Work Schedule: 

Environment: Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.

Physical Effort: No or very limited physical effort required.

Lifting Requirements: Requires handling of average-weight objects up to 10 pounds or some standing or walking.

Risk: No or very limited exposure to physical risk.