Kansas State seeks Extension Director
Posted on March 9, 2023
Position Title:
Extension District Director
Position Summary
The Twin Creeks Extension District is comprised of Decatur, Graham, Norton, and Sheridan Counties in northwest Kansas. The district has a combined population of approximately 13,000, across 22 rural communities. Twin Creeks District currently employs six agents, four office professionals, and two 4-H program assistants. This position will serve as the administrative leader of Twin Creek District’s budget and fiscal operations
personnel management of local staff
and overall program development and delivery. This position will also have programming responsibilities for community development and will provide support for local 4-H youth development programming.
Expected Responsibilities:
Extension agents are professional educators who serve as a link between Kansas State University and communities across Kansas. Agents are administratively responsible to the Director of K-State Research and Extension (represented by a designated administrator) and the local extension board.
1. Serve as the administrative leader of Twin Creek District’s budget and fiscal operations
personnel management of local staff
and overall program development and delivery. This position will also have programming responsibilities for community development and will provide support for local 4-H youth development programming.
2. Lead the development, implementation, and evaluation of research-based educational programming to help our communities become a better place for Kansans to live, work, and play. This will be accomplished by engaging extension specialists, volunteers, and community partners in a comprehensive process to strengthen the social, civic, economic, and technological capacity of our communities.
a) Programming may include: First Impressions
Kansas PRIDE
community health promotion
leadership development
entrepreneurship
grant writing and management
and strengthening local food systems.
3. Successful extension programs require agents to:
a) Identify local needs and emerging issues related to K-State Research and Extension’s five Grand Challenges (water and natural resources
community vitality
health developing tomorrow’s leaders
and global food systems) by engaging with program development committees and other community organizations and professionals.
b) Design appropriate educational strategies to engage clientele. Strategies might include educational programming in a community-based setting events and activities that provide experiential learning opportunities
use of innovative technologies
individual educational consultations
and group facilitation.
c) Develop and implement strategies to serve diverse audiences and to ensure K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider of educational programming.
d) Collect and communicate evidence of educational program impact.
e) Cultivate expertise in a subject matter competency area by engaging as a member of a Program Focus Team.
4. Pursue internal and external funding to support educational programming.
5. Serve as a member of the Twin Creeks District team cooperating in the planning and delivery of district-wide programming and related events.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s Degree.
- Commitment to personal and professional development.
- Competence using electronic communication and computer applications to fulfill programming responsibilities.
- Self-motivation and ability to work with minimal supervision while balancing multiple projects.
- Understanding of educational program design, promotion, implementation, and evaluation.
- Experience with volunteer recruitment, support, and management.
- Skills in group facilitation.
- Knowledge of adult and youth teaching/learning processes.
- Ability to communicate effectively with both English and Spanish-speaking learners.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree.
- Academic coursework, professional development, or prior employment related to the position responsibilities.
- Evidence of strong academic and/or professional performance as documented by college transcripts or documented success in increasingly responsible professional positions.
- Demonstrated experience leading a team of professionals toward individual and group goals.
- Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with individuals, groups and through mass media.
- Experience managing fiscal responsibilities, including budget development, financial oversight, and securing of extramural funds.
- Familiarity with various ethnic and socio-economic audiences
an interest in working with people from diverse backgrounds
and a commitment to supporting and enhancing K-State Research and Extension’s initiative for diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Ability to work a flexible schedule which will include some nights, weekends, and overnight travel.
Salary
- Salary commensurate with professional experience and available funding as negotiated by the regional extension director, the local extension board and the applicant. The base starting salary is $43,000 for a BS degree with no professional experience and $47,000 for a MS degree with no professional experience.
- Extension agents are Kansas State University educators and have the Board of Regents retirement plan, eligibility for health and life insurance, and earn vacation and sick leave. For a complete list of benefits see: www.k-state.edu/hcs/benefits.
- Reimbursement for travel related to achieving program objectives.
- New agents will be provided with comprehensive Early Career Professional Development training throughout their onboarding period. This series will include virtual and in-person training and networking opportunities.
- Tuition assistance is available to full-time employees and their spouse/dependents
Other Requirements
- Access to a personal vehicle and the ability to obtain/maintain a valid driver’s license.
- Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States at the time of employment.
How to Apply
• Visit the K-State Research and Extension website. • Contact Jennifer Wilson, Leader of Extension Operations via email (jrwilson@ksu.edu) or phone (785-532-5790) with questions about this position.