JVA #25-002 Extension Aide I-III (Agroforestry) - (x3 Positions)

About this Position

The Extension Aide is a staff member of the Northern Marianas College Cooperative Research, Extension and Education Services (CREES) located on Saipan/Tinian/Rota. This position supports a wide range of regenerative agricultural activities, with a focus on assisting both commercial and subsistence producers in planning, establishing, and maintaining agroforestry systems. The Extension Aide will also assist with various labor-related tasks associated with agricultural sites.

The ideal candidate will have experience in tropical regenerative agriculture, including regenerative agroforestry, climate adaptation strategies, specialty crop production, food and nutrition security efforts, and building partnerships with local communities.

This is an exciting and rare opportunity to contribute to increasing food security and climate resilience through regenerative agriculture in the CNMI. If you’re passionate about soil health, carbon sequestration, and sustainable island-based food systems, this position may be the perfect fit for you and is employed to provide a wide-range of regenerative agricultural activities including assisting commercial and subsistence growers in planning, establishing and/or maintaining agroforest(s) and any miscellaneous labor type function associated with an agricultural site. The ideal candidate would have experience in tropical agriculture, outreach and providing technical assistance in agroforestry, climate change mitigation and adaptation, specialty crop production, food security, and/or building partnerships with local communities. 

This is a unique opportunity to support and strengthen the CNMI’s local food system through regenerative agriculture. By joining our team, you'll help advance food security, promote soil health, and support climate resilience through carbon sequestration and sustainable land stewardship. If you're passionate about building a more secure and regenerative food system for island communities, this role is for you.

Minimum Qualifications

• Extension Aide I: 
  
  • High School Graduate or Equivalent.

• Extension Aide II: 
  • High School Graduate plus thirty (30) College credits towards an Associate’s degree and;
  • Two (2) years of experience in extension, agriculture, teaching, community outreach, or related field.

• Extension Aide III: 
  • Associate’s Degree in Agroforestry or related-field and
  • Four (4) years of experience in extension, agriculture, teaching, community outreach, or related field.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Contributes and promotes a positive and professional working environment and relationship with the college community and promotes a positive representation of the CREES Department and NMC.
• Must be able to operate a vehicle and have a valid CNMI driver’s license.
• Ability to effectively communicate with a wide variety of audiences including but limited to students, staff, faculty, and other college stakeholders.
• Capable of handling multiple tasks while maintaining composure under stressful conditions.
• Completes and prioritize tasks accurately and in a timely manner.
• Demonstrate strong organizational skills and a high attention to detail.
• Takes initiative and works both independently and cooperatively in a team environment.
• Completes and prioritizes tasks accurately and in a timely manner.
• Takes initiative and works both independently and cooperatively in a team environment.
• Experience with basic computer skills including, but not limited to, word processing, spreadsheets, and database, preferably Word, Excel, and/or PowerPoint software applications.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Participates in Program Review and Outcomes Assessment (PROA) activities.
• Assists with agricultural land preparation, planning, cultivation, irrigation, fertilization, harvesting and maintenance of commercial and subsistence agroforestry in their respective and/or designated work sites on Saipan, Tinian or Rota.
• Maintains CREES agroforestry demonstration site(s). 
• Assists in agroforestry demonstration projects.
• Operates and maintains agricultural equipment.
• Assists agroforestry team in agroforestry outreach and training.
• Participates in multimedia engagement activities and public outreach campaigns.
• Contributes to the development of Marianas-specific agroforestry resources, including an agroforestry manual, curriculum, food forest plant list, and other culturally grounded educational tools that support community outreach, education, and capacity-building efforts.
• Maintains and accounts for all equipment or tools assigned or issued.
• Assists in agroforestry demonstration site tours.
• Performs general nursery duties such as propagating standard varieties of plant materials, collecting and germinating seeds, reporting of plants and maintaining cutting of plants.
• Keeps accurate records and submits reports as required.
• Operates agriculture machinery and equipment including but not limited to brush cutter, mower, chain saw, woodchipper, utility vehicle and vehicle with trailers. 
• Loads, unloads, and transports supplies, materials, tools, and equipment.
• Performs agricultural duties such as designing, tilling, hoeing, pruning, weeding, and harvesting crops.
• Maintains and repairs agricultural facilities, equipment, and tools to ensure operational readiness, safety, and cleanliness.
• Transplants trees, vegetables, and other agroforestry related plants.
• Prepares and presents agroforestry demonstrations.
• Supports culturally appropriate outreach and education that integrates Indigenous knowledge, language, and traditional agricultural practices.
• Adheres to safety protocols and environmental regulations when using tools, machinery, and handling plant materials.
• Assists in collecting field data related to crop health, soil conditions, and agroforestry performance to support program monitoring and evaluation efforts.
• Responds to inquiries and requests from the public that do not require specialized scientific knowledge or expertise.
• Manages inventory and routine maintenance of agriculture tools, machinery, and equipment.
• Actively and productively participates in departmental and/or institutional committee work and other college-wide activities.
• Maintains a good working relationship with department personnel and other College employees. 
• Adheres to College and department policies and procedures; 
• Participates in in-service training programs as required, as well as frequent travel interisland during specified periods of time.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Essential Functions of the Position

Must be able to frequently operate a computer and other office productivity machinery. The individual in this position will frequently communicate with students and their colleague(s) in order to exchange information in various situations. Occasionally lifts office products and supplies, weighing up to 50 Ibs.

Work Environment

The Work Environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the noise level in the work environment may vary. The employee may be tasked to work outdoors in the sun and heat, on or around wet surfaces, and other areas exposed to the elements.

Applications must be submitted by 5:00 pm on the closing date.  Deadlines that fall on a non-business day will be extended to the next business day.
 
Employment application forms are available at the Human Resources Office of the College and a pdf.file can be downloaded from our website: http://www.marianas.edu using Adobe Acrobat. Please submit all application materials to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
 
All post-secondary education degrees must be from a U.S. Department of Education recognized and accredited institution. It is our requirement that degrees be from a U.S.-accredited college or university. Foreign degrees may be accepted when accompanied with a credential evaluation report. A listing of authorized evaluation reports can be obtained at the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) website at http://www.naces.org/
 
In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification (I-9) document form upon hire. Police/court clearance will be required upon job offer.