The precision agriculture specialist position is a joint appointment with 60% research and 40% Extension responsibilities. Research responsibilities include being the lead investigator for developing, implementing, and reporting the outcomes of projects focused on the precision agriculture research program at the Center. Extension responsibilities include developing an innovative Extension program that provides needs assessment, educational program planning and development, delivery of precision agriculture educational material, and program evaluation. The scope of projects addressed within the precision agricultural program remain flexible to allow one to respond to the changes in technologies that are occurring in this discipline. The precision agriculture program will involve investigations that include unmanned aerial systems, soil and crop variability mapping to support variable rate application technologies, and the development of decision support aids. The specialist actively participates in the development and implementation of research projects that investigate this scope of work and then provides educational outreach.

This position includes, but is not limited to, the following responsibilities.
• Provide leadership for the development and implementation of research projects and Extension programs that address precision agriculture practices.
• Be a member of a statewide Extension team responsible for providing leadership to create and deliver innovative learning experiences that empower North Dakotans to improve their lives and communities.
• Coordinate and collaborate with other NDSU, regional and national project leaders on joint research.
• Prepare proposals for submission to national, state, and industry RFPs to compete successfully for extramural funding to assist in maintaining program focus.
• Provide analysis, interpretation and report upon outcomes of research program.
• Develop and disseminate current research-based educational materials and programming.
• Interact closely with producers, Extension agents and specialists, regulatory agencies, crop commodity organizations, and livestock organizations.
• Develop and report upon the department’s federal project (CRIS) for precision agriculture.