Assistant or Associate Professor in Extension in Ornamental Horticulture or Turf Sciences

Posting Details

Posting Details

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Institution

South Dakota State University

Working Title

Assistant or Associate Professor in Extension in Ornamental
Horticulture or Turf Sciences

Posting Number

F01936P

Department

SDSU-Agronomy, Horticulture & Plant Science

Physical Location of Position (City)

Brookings

Posting Text

South Dakota State University (SDState) is seeking an Assistant or
Associate Professor in Extension in Ornamental Horticulture or Turf
Sciences (70% Extension; 30% research appointment in the South
Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station) in the Department of
Agronomy, Horticulture & Plant Sciences. The successful
applicant will be expected to develop a nationally recognized
research program in Extension with Horticultural Crops—either Turf
or Ornamental—that that improves sustainability and agroecosystem
resiliency. This position is located in Brookings . This
position is a 9 Month, Tenure-Track, full-time, benefits-eligible
position.

The Department of Agronomy, Horticulture and Plant Science is a
multidisciplinary department with the size and breadth to address
today’s complex scientific issues while retaining the
student-centered focus, an SDSU plant science hallmark. All of our
programs feature a carefully designed balance of theoretical
principles and hands-on experience to produce a well-rounded
graduate who is prepared for the 21st century workplace. As a
result, our graduates are in high demand and frequently have jobs
before graduation.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES :

The incumbent will be a critical member of a collaborative
Extension team. The incumbent is expected to advance sustainable
agricultural research in Horticulture, supporting South Dakota’s
economy, and strengthening SDSU’s reputation in Horticultural
Sciences, especially with the commercial nursery, landscape,
greenhouse, and turf industry.

Scholarly/Research (30%): Beyond research, this position is vital
for securing competitive grant funding that supports SDSU’s
research infrastructure and benefits the broader agricultural
community. Funding may come from various sources—including USDA
NIFA, AMS, and SARE, state-level specialty crop block grants,
horticultural commodity groups, horticulture foundations, and
industry collaborations. The incumbent will develop science-based,
region specific horticultural crop management portfolio suitable
for Extension and stakeholder engagement. Publication of scholarly
work in peer-reviewed journals and graduate student mentoring is
expected of the successful candidate.

Extension Education (70%): Develop, deliver, and evaluate
nationally recognized scholarly research program in Extension with
Horticultural Crops—either Turf or Ornamental—that that improves
sustainability and agroecosystem resiliency.

• Develop relationships with key stakeholders to understand their

needs for instruction.

• Instruct stakeholders, leveraging research and expertise to

develop and deliver information in ways that align with stakeholder
needs.

• Teach stakeholders how to leverage extension resources and

outcomes of scholarly research.

BENEFITS :

SDState offers a wide range of excellent benefits including
medical, dental, and flexible benefits, retirement plans,
compensation packages, paid holidays, and vacation leave. We offer
a generous retirement plan that includes 6% matching, 10 hours of
annual leave each month, 9.34 hours of sick leave each month, and
eleven paid holidays. Employees also have access to internal and
state-sponsored training as well as reduced tuition for
state-supported courses at all State of South Dakota academic
institutions. Relocation benefits are available per university’s
guidelines.

QUALIFICATIONS

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS :

• PhD in horticulture or plant science, or a closely related

field by start date.

• Experience in delivering Extension programming.
• Scholarly productivity, including peer-reviewed journal

articles and/or presentations at scientific meetings.

• Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills .
• Valid driver’s license or ability to obtain within 30 days of

hire.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS :

• Postdoctoral research experience and/or professional

research/extension experience.

APPLICATION PROCESS :

SDState accepts applications through an on-line employment site. To
apply, visit: https://yourfuture.sdbor.edu
, search by the position title, view the job announcement, and
click on “apply for this job.” This system will guide you through
the electronic application form. This employment site will also
require the attachment of a cover letter, which should specifically
address how the candidate meets the qualifications as outlined in
the advertisement, curriculum vitae, teaching statement (3-page
limit, attached as “other”), research statement (3-page limit,
attached as “writing or work sample”) and a reference page with the
contact information for three professional references. Email
applications will not be accepted. Please contact SDState Human
Resources at (605) 688-4128 if you require assistance with this
process.

Any offer of employment is contingent on the university’s
verification of credentials and other information required by law
and/or university policies, including but not limited to,
successful completion of a criminal background check.

SDState is a tobacco free environment. It is the policy of the
University to maintain a drug-free environment and to thereby
establish, promote, and maintain a safe and healthy working and
learning environment for employees and students. This position is
subject to South Dakota State University’s Drug and Alcohol Testing
Policy 4:14.

Posting Date

10/28/2026

Closing Date

12/04/2026

Open Until Filled

No

First Consideration Date

Advertised Salary

The minimum salary for this position is $85,000 at Assistant
Professor rank. Salary is commensurate with experience.

Duration of the Term

9 months

If Other, describe duration

Appointment Percent

100%

Tenure Status

Tenure Track

Proposed Rank

Multiple Rank

Work Hours

Typical Hours Worked Per Week

Appointment Type

Regular

Scope of Search

External (includes Internal)

If internal, define scope of search

Department Description and Cultural Expectations

SDState is
the state’s largest, most comprehensive university with over $94
million annual research expenditures, more than 200 academic
programs and an enrollment of approximately 12,000 students. The
university is part of a
dynamic community for families, students, young
professionals, and retirees, which offers an abundance of
attractions and activities.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

South Dakota State University promotes access to and opportunities
for all to receive the benefit of and participate in education,
research, and service and is especially interested in candidates
that can contribute to this land-grant access mission. SDSU is an
equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive
consideration without regard to, and SDSU prohibits unlawful
discrimination of all legally protected classes in the offering of
all educational programs and employment. Arrangements for
accommodations required by disabilities can be made by emailing
HR@sdstate.edu .
Individuals with concerns regarding discrimination should contact:
Equal Opportunity Officer/Title IX Coordinator, Human Resources,
Morrill Hall 100, SDSU, Brookings, SD 57007. Phone: (605)
688-4128.

Contact Information

For questions on the position, contact search committee chair, Dr.
John Ball at John.Ball@sdstate.edu.

Working Conditions

Cognitive Requirements

Please check the appropriate response that describe the
cognitive requirements for this position.

Protective Clothing/Equipment

Please check the appropriate response for this position's use of
the following protective clothing or equipment.

If other protection is used please identify

Physical Requirements

Please designate the physical requirements of this
position

Describe any of the conditions selected

Sensory Requirements

Please check the appropriate response that describe the sensory
requirements for this position.

Working Conditions & Exposures

Working Conditions or Exposures (or potential exposures) that
this position may encounter during the course of the work
day.

Please describe, in more detail, any of the conditions checked
above

Working Environment

Check the appropriate box(es) that best describes the
environment in which the primary function of the position is
performed.

If you have indicated Other Environment, if work tasks involve
one or more of the above, or if further explanation is necessary,
please use the space provided.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * Where did you hear about this position?
• LinkedIn
• SDBOR Employment Site
• South Dakota Department of Labor
• Employee Referral
• Department Announcement / Inside State
• Handshake
• Job Board (Indeed, Monster, ZipRecruiter) - Please specify
• Industry Conference
• Search Engine - Please specify
• Employment Agency - Please specify
• Newspaper - Please specify
• HigherEdJobs.com
• Chronicle of Higher Education
• Social Media (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn) - Please

specify

• Radio - Please specify
• APLU
• List Servs - Please specify
• Alumni
• Other - Please specify

Documents Needed to Apply

Required Documents

• Cover Letter
• Curriculum Vitae
• Other
• Reference List
• Work or Writing Sample

Optional Documents