Extension Instructor/Director, Crosby

Position Function:

This is a 12-month, non-tenure track position consisting of a 100% Extension appointment. This position is located at the Crosby Arboretum in Picayune, MS, and is administratively housed within the Coastal Research and Extension Center. The academic home of the successful candidate will be the Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Design. The primary function of this position will be to oversee the daily operations of the Crosby Arboretum including facilities, staff and programs. Extension efforts will be focused on the development of educational programs for both adult and youth related to the mission of Crosby Arboretum and Mississippi State University Extension. Efforts will also focus on development of site infrastructure and supervision of a staff that currently consists of 7 individuals. Development of programs for the public, Extension employees and collaboration with other scientists within the University will be considered an important aspect of the position.

Salary Grade:  UC

Please see Staff Compensation Structure or Skilled Crafts and Service Maintenance Compensation Schedule for salary ranges.  For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.

Department Profile:

The award-winning Crosby Arboretum is located just 50 minutes from New Orleans and about an hour from Biloxi and Hattiesburg, Mississippi. It is dedicated to educating the public about their environment. This mission is carried out by preserving, protecting, and displaying plants native to the Pearl River Drainage Basin ecosystem, providing environmental and botanical research opportunities, and offering cultural, scientific, and recreational programs. Its 104-acre interpretive site in Picayune, Mississippi, includes savanna, woodland, and aquatic exhibits. It also maintains 700 acres of off-site natural areas that are preserved for scientific study. Crosby was ranked as the 7th best college arboretum. It is a unit of Mississippi State University’s Coastal Research and Extension Center, which serves as the coastal arm of the university’s Research and Extension Programs.

Area of Specialization:

Landscape Architecture/Environmental Design/Botany/Environmental Horticulture/Public Garden Administration/Ecological Restoration

Anticipated Appointment Date:

July 2026. 

Tenure Track Status:

N/A. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The successful candidate, as Director, will be tasked with the supervision of Crosby Arboretum staff and facilities along with overseeing the development and implementation of all facility improvements and educational programs.
The Director will oversee an Extension program that uses the arboretum to explain the benefits of native planting and possibilities for native plant restoration, management, and environmental design. This will include overseeing the planning and construction of new landscape exhibits and interpretive displays, the publication of a quarterly newsletter, and the development of press releases.
The Director will also take a leading role in the development of other print- and web-based extension publications, such as information sheets, popular articles in trade magazines and newsletters, online videos, and webinars, as appropriate. These other print- and web-based publications may contribute to Mississippi State University Extension Service’s Smart Landscapes program, other relevant statewide programs, or a new statewide extension program established by the candidate.
The Director will work with others to establish and carry out short- and long-term goals for the Crosby Arboretum and secure extramural funding to achieve those goals through grant writing, fundraisers, and soliciting monetary and in-kind donations.
The position will require close collaboration with other MSU employees throughout the Mississippi State University system and working effectively with the Crosby Arboretum Foundation. The successful candidate will maintain programmatic ties with other Extension State Specialists and other faculty in the Coastal Research and Extension Center and in the Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Design to implement innovative disciplinary and interdisciplinary educational programs, as appropriate.
The successful candidate will interact regularly with relevant stakeholders, including government and non-government agencies and organizations, who represent all facets of native planting design, restoration, and management to identify and facilitate applied research and extension efforts addressing specific problems encountered by clientele.
The successful candidate will facilitate technology, research, and educational transfer through appropriate training presentations, workshops, and in-service training sessions led by the director, arboretum staff, and/or guest lecturers.
Furthermore, the successful candidate will demonstrate and present information and updates through effective program delivery by planning and participating in local, statewide, regional, and possibly national, and international meetings.
Additional responsibilities involve providing indirect supervision of volunteers and other duties as needed.
Service to relevant professional organizations and Mississippi State University is also expected. The successful candidate will actively participate in professional societies/organizations as well as appropriate CREC and academic home department committees. These activities should include involvement in coordinating ecological goals/objectives through collaborative "team" efforts with specialists, agents and research scientists.

Minimum Qualifications:

A Master’s degree in Landscape Architecture, Environmental Horticulture, Public Garden Administration, Ecological Restoration, Restoration Ecology, Botany, or related discipline.
A master’s degree in Museum Studies, Environmental Education, Education, or similar will be considered if the candidate has at least two years of experience conducting educational programming in an arboretum, environmental learning facility, botanical garden, or extension context that is relevant to the mission of the arboretum.
Acceptable candidates must have outstanding verbal and written communication skills and the knowledge and expertise required to develop and deliver an Extension program relevant to the arboretum to fulfill job responsibilities.

Rank and salary will be commensurate with education and experience.

ABDs or degree pending considered (all but DISS):

Yes. 

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience with public garden administration or other administrative experience.
Demonstrated record of grant writing or non-profit fundraising or verbal and written communication that suggests a capacity for grant writing and fundraising.
Willingness to address critical and emerging public garden management issues as part of a collaborative multidisciplinary team.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

The individual should be self-motivated, fit well in a multidisciplinary team environment, and exhibit excellent oral and written communication skills.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

The work schedule for this position may vary. Regular supervision of weekend programs may be required. The position requires working indoors and outdoors in a range of weather conditions.

Instructions for Applying:

Link to apply:  http://explore.msujobs.msstate.edu/

Link to apply: http://explore.msujobs.msstate.edu/
Apply online at www.jobs.msstate.edu by submitting a cover letter, vitae, vision statement (statement should address candidate’s Extension philosophy, background, and vision for the position), copy of your transcripts with social security numbers redacted (redacted official transcripts will be required from the successful candidate), and names and contract information for three references.
If you have questions about the application process, please contact:
Dr. Tricia Knight, Research Professor & Director, Coastal Horticultural Research prk3@msstate.edu
(601) 795-4525
Mr. Dan Jost, Assistant Professor of Landscape Architecture djost@lalc.msstate.edu
(662) 325-3012

Screening Date:

May 29, 2026, until filled. 

Restricted Clause:

Position is contingent upon continued availability of funding.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Discrimination is prohibited in university employment, programs or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status to the extent protected by applicable law. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of Civil Rights Compliance, 231 Famous Maroon Band Street, P.O. 6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762, (662) 325-5839.

What do I do if I need an accommodation?

In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu.

If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.