Manager, Center for Urban Smart Agriculture (Phoenix, AZ) (Extended Temporary)
Manager, Center for Urban Smart Agriculture (Phoenix, AZ) (Extended Temporary)
Posting Number
req27581
Department
Ctr Urban Smart Agriculture
Department Website Link
https://extension.arizona.edu/programs/center-urban-smart-agriculture
Location
Greater Phoenix Area
Address
4341 E. Broadway Road, Phoenix, AZ 85040 USA
Position Highlights
The University of Arizona's Center for Urban Smart Agriculture, located in Phoenix, seeks an Extension Program Manager to coordinate issue-driven, grant-funded, multidisciplinary Extension and applied research programs from planning through implementation. The successful candidate will collaborate with the Center Director, affiliated faculty and staff, and stakeholders to develop and manage programs that support urban agricultural production, with a focus on small-scale and beginning farmers in Arizona.
This position integrates applied research, Extension programming, and outreach to improve the economic efficiency and sustainability of urban agricultural production and small-scale and beginning farming systems, while minimizing environmental impacts. Based in Phoenix, the Center for Urban Smart Agriculture leads and supports University Extension and applied research initiatives and serves Arizona's broader urban agriculture community.
The Extension Program Manager will play a critical role in ensuring projects are delivered on time and within budget while meeting grant requirements, technical objectives, and outreach goals. The position also supports strategic growth by developing partnerships, securing grants, and expanding programs.
If you are passionate about advancing the frontiers of modern urban agriculture and supporting small-scale and beginning farmers in Arizona, we encourage you to apply to join our dynamic, innovative team.
This position offers a hybrid work arrangement, combining on-site work with remote work flexibility.
This is an Extended Temporary Employment (ETE) position with an anticipated duration of one year from the selected candidate's start date.
Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!
The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs. For more information about working at the University of Arizona and relocations services, please click here.
Duties & Responsibilities
Management andOversight:
ProgramDevelopment and Strategic Initiatives:
Planning andResource Management:
Knowledge,Skills & Abilities (KSAs):
This job posting reflects the general nature and level of work expected of the selected candidate(s). It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The institution reserves the right to amend or update this description as organizational priorities and institutional needs evolve.
Minimum Qualifications
Preferred Qualifications
FLSA
Exempt
Full Time/Part Time
Full Time
Number of Hours Worked per Week
40
Job FTE
1.0
Work Calendar
Fiscal
Job Category
Agriculture and Extension
Benefits Eligible
Yes - Full Benefits
Rate of Pay
$75,540 - $98,201
Compensation Type
salary at 1.0 full-time equivalency (FTE)
Grade
10
Compensation Guidance
The Rate of Pay Field represents the University of Arizona's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. The University considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, and internal equity.
The Grade Range represent a full range of career compensation growth over time. The university offers compensation growth opportunities within its career architecture. To learn more about compensation, please review our Applicant Compensation Guide and our Total Rewards Calculator.
Career Stream and Level
M2
Job Family
Extension
Job Function
Agriculture & Extension
Type of criminal background check required:
Name-based criminal background check (non-security sensitive)
Number of Vacancies
1
Target Hire Date
11/23/2026
Expected End Date
11/17/2028
Contact Information for Candidates
Ayman Mostafa, Director, Center for Urban Smart Agriculture
ayman@arizona.edu
Open Date
11/6/2026
Open Until Filled
Yes
Documents Needed to Apply
Resume and Cover Letter
Special Instructions to Applicant
Notice of Availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report
In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act (Clery Act), each year the University of Arizona releases an Annual Security Report (ASR) for each of the University's campuses.Thesereports disclose information including Clery crime statistics for the previous three calendar years and policies, procedures, and programs the University uses to keep students and employees safe, including how to report crimes or other emergencies and resources for crime victims. As a campus with residential housing facilities, the Main Campus ASR also includes a combined Annual Fire Safety report with information on fire statistics and fire safety systems, policies, and procedures.
Paper copies of the Reports can be obtained by contacting the University Compliance Office at cleryact@arizona.edu.
Posting Number
req27581
Department
Ctr Urban Smart Agriculture
Department Website Link
https://extension.arizona.edu/programs/center-urban-smart-agriculture
Location
Greater Phoenix Area
Address
4341 E. Broadway Road, Phoenix, AZ 85040 USA
Position Highlights
The University of Arizona's Center for Urban Smart Agriculture, located in Phoenix, seeks an Extension Program Manager to coordinate issue-driven, grant-funded, multidisciplinary Extension and applied research programs from planning through implementation. The successful candidate will collaborate with the Center Director, affiliated faculty and staff, and stakeholders to develop and manage programs that support urban agricultural production, with a focus on small-scale and beginning farmers in Arizona.
This position integrates applied research, Extension programming, and outreach to improve the economic efficiency and sustainability of urban agricultural production and small-scale and beginning farming systems, while minimizing environmental impacts. Based in Phoenix, the Center for Urban Smart Agriculture leads and supports University Extension and applied research initiatives and serves Arizona's broader urban agriculture community.
The Extension Program Manager will play a critical role in ensuring projects are delivered on time and within budget while meeting grant requirements, technical objectives, and outreach goals. The position also supports strategic growth by developing partnerships, securing grants, and expanding programs.
If you are passionate about advancing the frontiers of modern urban agriculture and supporting small-scale and beginning farmers in Arizona, we encourage you to apply to join our dynamic, innovative team.
This position offers a hybrid work arrangement, combining on-site work with remote work flexibility.
This is an Extended Temporary Employment (ETE) position with an anticipated duration of one year from the selected candidate's start date.
Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!
The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs. For more information about working at the University of Arizona and relocations services, please click here.
Duties & Responsibilities
Management andOversight:
- Manage multipleExtension and applied research projects from initiation through completion,ensuring alignment with program objectives, sponsor requirements, andorganizational priorities.
- Monitor projectbudgets, schedules, deliverables, milestones, and reporting requirements toensure successful and timely completion of grant-funded activities.
- Coordinate withthe Center Director, affiliated faculty and staff, stakeholders, and fundingagencies to support program implementation and achieve project goals.
- Prepareand present progress reports, presentations, publications, newsletters, andother project updates to internal and external stakeholders.
- Reviewtechnical documentation, purchasing requests, and required project records toensure compliance with grant, sponsor, and university requirements.
- Facilitateproject planning meetings and milestone reviews with project teams andstakeholders.
- Supervise Center staff and oversee workassignments, performance expectations, and resource utilization to supportprogram objectives.
- Ensure Centeroperations, projects, and activities comply with grant obligations, universitypolicies, and applicable regulatory requirements.
ProgramDevelopment and Strategic Initiatives:
- Support thedevelopment and submission of grant proposals, agreements, and other fundingopportunities that advance the Center's mission and strategic goals.
- Collaboratewith Center leadership, faculty, staff, and stakeholders to develop scopes ofwork, project plans, budgets, schedules, and resource requirements.
- Assist with thepreparation and review of proposals and agreements to ensure technicalaccuracy, consistency, and sponsor compliance.
- Identify andpursue opportunities to expand the Center's Extension, applied research, andoutreach portfolio through new partnerships and funding sources. Contribute tostrategic planning efforts that strengthen and grow Center programs andservices.
Planning andResource Management:
- Manage Centeroperations and activities across multiple grant-funded programs to ensureeffective execution and achievement of project objectives.
- Track programoutcomes, performance measures, and deliverables throughout the life cycle ofassigned projects.
- Oversee Centerassets, equipment, and inventory to ensure appropriate use, maintenance, andcompliance with university and sponsor requirements.
- Direct theactivities of Program Coordinators, student employees, and other assignedsupport staff to support project timelines, deliverables, and operationalgoals.
- Develop andmaintain work plans, schedules, and resource allocation strategies that promoteefficient operations and successful program outcomes.
- Evaluateoperational processes and recommend improvements that enhance programeffectiveness, efficiency, and service delivery.
Knowledge,Skills & Abilities (KSAs):
- Knowledge ofthe Cooperative Extension system and best practices for managing issue-drivenprograms and projects.
- Understandingof Arizona agricultural systems, with preference to familiarity with urbanagriculture and small-scale or beginning farmer production systems.
- Ability toidentify emerging opportunities and challenges in urban and smart agriculture.
- Demonstratedleadership, interpersonal, and supervisory skills.
- Strongorganizational, analytical, and problem-solving abilities.
- Excellentwritten and verbal communication skills with strong attention to detail.
- Ability tomanage multiple complex projects independently and effectively.
- Expert skillswith MS Office, including MS Project, Smartsheet, and other software.
This job posting reflects the general nature and level of work expected of the selected candidate(s). It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The institution reserves the right to amend or update this description as organizational priorities and institutional needs evolve.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through professional level experience required.
- Five (5) yearsof related work experience, including 2 years of managerial experience, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.
- Must have a valid driver's license and ability to drive according to the University Fleet Safety Policy.
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in agronomy, plant science, soil science, crops science, environmental sciences, horticulture, entomology, plant pathology, weed science or related discipline.
- Experience with grant development, sponsor relations, proposal preparation, and project implementation.
- Experience managing technical or educational projects, preferably within agriculture, environment, or related technical field.
- Experience in Arizona, the southwest, arid and semi-arid and/or desert agriculture systems, with preference to the urban, small-scale, and beginning farmer sector.
- Experience working with federally and state-sponsored projects in areas such as technical project management, grant compliance, Cooperative Extension, or research and education.
- Experience preparing federal and state Extension and research proposals and managing grants or contracts.
FLSA
Exempt
Full Time/Part Time
Full Time
Number of Hours Worked per Week
40
Job FTE
1.0
Work Calendar
Fiscal
Job Category
Agriculture and Extension
Benefits Eligible
Yes - Full Benefits
Rate of Pay
$75,540 - $98,201
Compensation Type
salary at 1.0 full-time equivalency (FTE)
Grade
10
Compensation Guidance
The Rate of Pay Field represents the University of Arizona's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. The University considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, and internal equity.
The Grade Range represent a full range of career compensation growth over time. The university offers compensation growth opportunities within its career architecture. To learn more about compensation, please review our Applicant Compensation Guide and our Total Rewards Calculator.
Career Stream and Level
M2
Job Family
Extension
Job Function
Agriculture & Extension
Type of criminal background check required:
Name-based criminal background check (non-security sensitive)
Number of Vacancies
1
Target Hire Date
11/23/2026
Expected End Date
11/17/2028
Contact Information for Candidates
Ayman Mostafa, Director, Center for Urban Smart Agriculture
ayman@arizona.edu
Open Date
11/6/2026
Open Until Filled
Yes
Documents Needed to Apply
Resume and Cover Letter
Special Instructions to Applicant
Notice of Availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report
In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act (Clery Act), each year the University of Arizona releases an Annual Security Report (ASR) for each of the University's campuses.Thesereports disclose information including Clery crime statistics for the previous three calendar years and policies, procedures, and programs the University uses to keep students and employees safe, including how to report crimes or other emergencies and resources for crime victims. As a campus with residential housing facilities, the Main Campus ASR also includes a combined Annual Fire Safety report with information on fire statistics and fire safety systems, policies, and procedures.
Paper copies of the Reports can be obtained by contacting the University Compliance Office at cleryact@arizona.edu.