Research Associate I (Cooperative Extension)
University of Rhode Island
Posting Details Position Information Posting Number SF02036 Job Title Research Associate I (Cooperative Extension) Position Number 109015 FTE 1.00 FLSA Exempt Position Type Professional Staff Union PSA/NEA - Professional Staff Assoc Pay Grade Level Grade Level: 7 Pay Grade Range Anticipated Hiring Salary Range: $56,444 - $62,228 Status Calendar Year, Full-time, Limited Department Information Department Cooperative Extension Admin. Contact(s) Please note: Job applications must be submitted directly online only at: (https://jobs.uri.edu)
Contact Phone/Extension Contact Email Physical Demands Campus Location Kingston Grant Funded Yes Extension Contingency Notes
Position is full-time calendar year, limited to 03/21/2026 with anticipated renewal.
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Job Description Summary
The search will remain open until the position has been filled. First consideration will be given to applications received by August 8, 2025. Applications received after August 8, 2025 may be reviewed depending on search progress and needs but are not guaranteed full consideration.
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About URI:
The University of Rhode Island enrolls approximately 17,000 students across its graduate and undergraduate programs and is the State’s flagship public research university, as well as the land grant and sea grant university, for the state of Rhode Island. The main campus is located in the historic village of Kingston, and the Bay Campus is located in Narragansett. Both campuses are near major beaches in a beautiful coastal community. URI is just 30 minutes from Providence, RI and within easy reach of Newport, Boston, and New York City.
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BASIC FUNCTION:
Train and mobilize volunteers to support residential, community, and school gardening, and to address priorities defined by the Cooperative Extension strategic plan and community needs assessments. Manage and sustain relationships with diverse stakeholders and organizations to ensure the educational resources of Cooperative Extension are equitably distributed across Rhode Island to volunteers, residents, and community partners. Provide day-to-day programmatic leadership, while communicating vision, priorities, and impacts to participants and public audiences.
Duties and Responsibilities ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Recruit for, plan, and implement the annual 14-week core training course for volunteers and oversee the planning and implementation of continuing education classes that deepen and enhance knowledge related to research-based and ancestral gardening techniques, and soft skills such as inclusive science communication, leadership, etc. for volunteers.
Chair the leadership council and oversee delegation to volunteer leaders to ensure that the program’s public education mission is met, decisions are made using consensus-building practices that value participant input, and that the program is appropriately scaled relevant to the Extension strategic plan and portfolio.
Engage with community members and partner organizations to understand their needs, ideas, and concerns and incorporate community input into Cooperative Extension programming.
Manage volunteer certification and oversee recognition and engagement efforts.
Conduct program evaluation for annual reporting purposes related to program impacts and civil rights compliance, and maintain updated policies, procedures, and other documents related to program management.
OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Perform other duties as assigned.
LICENSES, TOOLS, AND EQUIPMENT:
Personal computers and printers including proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Suite, web-based Learning Management Systems and volunteer management software.
Required Qualifications REQUIRED:
1. Bachelor’s degree in environmental studies, community development, plant sciences and entomology or related field.
2. Minimum of five years of experience working in volunteer management and/or program coordination.
3. Demonstrated strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills.
4. Demonstrated proficiency in written communication skills.
5. Demonstrated ability to work independently.
6. Demonstrated experience engaging with community-based organizations and/or leading community development initiatives.
7. Demonstrated ability to work with diverse groups/populations.
Preferred Qualifications PREFERRED:
1. Demonstrated experience or familiarity with gardening, the environment, adult education and/or related fields.
2. Demonstrated experience with coordination and/or supervision of teams.
______________________________________________________________________________________________
The University of Rhode Island is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of the University of Rhode Island to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability.
Environmental Conditions This position is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions. Posting Date 07/21/2025 Closing Date Special Instructions to Applicants Please attach the following 2 (PDF) documents to your online Employment Application:
(#1) Cover letter.
(#2) Resume.
Note: References upon request.
Quicklink for Posting https://jobs.uri.edu/postings/15414 Applicant Documents Required Documents Cover Letter/Letter of Application Resume Optional Documents Supplemental Questions
Contact Phone/Extension Contact Email Physical Demands Campus Location Kingston Grant Funded Yes Extension Contingency Notes
Position is full-time calendar year, limited to 03/21/2026 with anticipated renewal.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Job Description Summary
The search will remain open until the position has been filled. First consideration will be given to applications received by August 8, 2025. Applications received after August 8, 2025 may be reviewed depending on search progress and needs but are not guaranteed full consideration.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
About URI:
The University of Rhode Island enrolls approximately 17,000 students across its graduate and undergraduate programs and is the State’s flagship public research university, as well as the land grant and sea grant university, for the state of Rhode Island. The main campus is located in the historic village of Kingston, and the Bay Campus is located in Narragansett. Both campuses are near major beaches in a beautiful coastal community. URI is just 30 minutes from Providence, RI and within easy reach of Newport, Boston, and New York City.
________________________________________________________________________________________________
BASIC FUNCTION:
Train and mobilize volunteers to support residential, community, and school gardening, and to address priorities defined by the Cooperative Extension strategic plan and community needs assessments. Manage and sustain relationships with diverse stakeholders and organizations to ensure the educational resources of Cooperative Extension are equitably distributed across Rhode Island to volunteers, residents, and community partners. Provide day-to-day programmatic leadership, while communicating vision, priorities, and impacts to participants and public audiences.
Duties and Responsibilities ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Recruit for, plan, and implement the annual 14-week core training course for volunteers and oversee the planning and implementation of continuing education classes that deepen and enhance knowledge related to research-based and ancestral gardening techniques, and soft skills such as inclusive science communication, leadership, etc. for volunteers.
Chair the leadership council and oversee delegation to volunteer leaders to ensure that the program’s public education mission is met, decisions are made using consensus-building practices that value participant input, and that the program is appropriately scaled relevant to the Extension strategic plan and portfolio.
Engage with community members and partner organizations to understand their needs, ideas, and concerns and incorporate community input into Cooperative Extension programming.
Manage volunteer certification and oversee recognition and engagement efforts.
Conduct program evaluation for annual reporting purposes related to program impacts and civil rights compliance, and maintain updated policies, procedures, and other documents related to program management.
OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Perform other duties as assigned.
LICENSES, TOOLS, AND EQUIPMENT:
Personal computers and printers including proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Suite, web-based Learning Management Systems and volunteer management software.
Required Qualifications REQUIRED:
1. Bachelor’s degree in environmental studies, community development, plant sciences and entomology or related field.
2. Minimum of five years of experience working in volunteer management and/or program coordination.
3. Demonstrated strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills.
4. Demonstrated proficiency in written communication skills.
5. Demonstrated ability to work independently.
6. Demonstrated experience engaging with community-based organizations and/or leading community development initiatives.
7. Demonstrated ability to work with diverse groups/populations.
Preferred Qualifications PREFERRED:
1. Demonstrated experience or familiarity with gardening, the environment, adult education and/or related fields.
2. Demonstrated experience with coordination and/or supervision of teams.
______________________________________________________________________________________________
The University of Rhode Island is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of the University of Rhode Island to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability.
Environmental Conditions This position is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions. Posting Date 07/21/2025 Closing Date Special Instructions to Applicants Please attach the following 2 (PDF) documents to your online Employment Application:
(#1) Cover letter.
(#2) Resume.
Note: References upon request.
Quicklink for Posting https://jobs.uri.edu/postings/15414 Applicant Documents Required Documents Cover Letter/Letter of Application Resume Optional Documents Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
* Do you have a Bachelor’s degree in environmental studies, community development, plant sciences and entomology or related field? Yes No * Do you have a minimum of five years of experience working in volunteer management and/or program coordination? Yes No * Do you have demonstrated ability to work independently? Yes No * Do you have demonstrated experience engaging with community-based organizations and/or leading community development initiatives? Yes No * Do you have demonstrated ability to work with diverse groups/populations? Yes No * Are you a URI employee currently in a position covered by the PSA Union? (You will not be disqualified for answering "No") Yes No How did you hear about this employment opportunity? Public Job Posting Internal Job Posting Agency Referral Advertisement/Publication Personal Referral Website Other
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