Aquatic Resources Extension Agent - West Region

Auburn University; Fayette (AL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Day 1 benefits

4 weeks vacation per year

6 weeks parental leave

Job summary

Auburn University’s Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES) seeks an Aquatic Resources Extension Agent to serve a 19-county area, educating landowners and professionals on pond management, watershed conservation, stormwater, and drought preparedness.

The agent will lead program development, collaborate with county staff, and deliver research-based education with strong communication skills. Regular travel within Alabama counties is required, with competitive benefits and growth opportunities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Fisheries, Aquatic Sciences, Aquaculture, Aquatic Biology, Environmental Sciences, or related field.
• Two years of relevant work experience preferred.
• Master’s degree is preferred.
• Valid driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Leads programmatic activities in aquatic resources across a 19-county region.
• Conducts needs assessments and develops plan-of-work with other Extension Agents.
• Delivers education programs to landowners, professionals, and the public.
• Collaborates with stakeholders, counties, and academic partners to expand impact.
• Evaluates programs and reports results to sponsors and partners.
• Manages budgets, volunteers, and outreach partnerships.

Skills

Public outreach

Program leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Fisheries / Aquatic Sciences / Aquaculture / Aquatic Biology / Environmental Sciences or related field

Master's degree

Job description

Overview

Extending knowledge, improving lives! Make an impact in your community and in the lives of Alabamians.

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES) is seeking a self-motivated Aquatic Resources Extension Agent to serve a 19-county region. This role focuses on educating landowners, professionals, and the public on key aquatic resource topics, including farm pond management, watershed conservation, stormwater management, and drought preparedness.

Reasons you’ll love being an Extension Agent atACES– Auburn:

• Job Satisfaction! Be a part of life-changing work in your community!
• Excellent full-time benefits that start on Day 1!
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance options!
• Work/life balance!
• 4 weeks of vacation accrued each year.
• 96 hours of sick leave accrued annually.
• 7 paid holidays in addition to 2 weeks of paid leave during Christmas/New Years when the University closes.
• 6 weeks of paid parental leave for the birth or adoption of a child (available forBOTHmoms & dads).
• AU tuition assistance for you and your dependents after a year of service.
• Generous state retirement plan along with other voluntary retirement plan options and benefits.
• Fun, flexible & diverse work environment. Every day is different!
• Supportive leadership & peers. TheACESteam supports you and your work!

Program Priority Area:

Aquatic Resources (AQR)

Agent will be housed in Fayette, Alabama

Geographic Area of Responsibility

Lauderdale, Limestone, Colbert, Franklin, Lawrence, Morgan, Marion, Winston, Lamar, Fayette, Walker, Cullman, Jefferson, Bibb, Chilton, Lowndes, Pickens, Tuscaloosa, Sumter, Greene, Hale, Perry, Choctaw, Marengo, Dallas, Wilcox Counties.

Responsibilities

The primary role of an Extension Agent is to provide programmatic leadership in a subject-matter discipline.

Program Leadership

1. Cooperates and informs internal stakeholders and has a positive working relationship with staff and clients in assigned geographical and subject-matter area.
2. Conducts and analyzes needs assessment results.
3. Participates and contributes to the development of the Priority Program Team (PPT) plan-of-work and develops an individual plan-of-work involving other Extension Agents and County Extension Directors.
4. Offers comprehensive disciplinary programming to support transformational change and participates in interdisciplinary programming.
5. Functions as an effective educator using innovative and creative approaches and demonstrates outstanding written and oral communication skills.
6. Conducts program evaluations to reach plan-of-work objectives and impacts have a positive effect in assigned area.
7. Submits well prepared and timely reports and shares results with stakeholders and partners.

Program Management

1. Budgets and manages fiscal resources within ACES policies and guidelines and serves as a good steward of all resources.
2. Builds relationships with volunteers and partners; recruits and manages volunteers within ACES policy, and trains new volunteers.
3. Secures extramural funding (grants, contracts, donations, sponsorships, programming fees, etc.) to support and expand programming.
4. Provides supervision and/or program support for staff/volunteers where appropriate.
5. Identifies innovative ways to engage targeted under-served and under-represented audiences.

Public Relations

1. Provides subject-matter support to local and regional stakeholders and organizes new networks or coalitions to build community capacity.
2. Establishes relationships with stakeholder organizations, participates in stakeholder organizational programming, and serves as ACES primary subject-matter representative.
3. Establishes media contacts and actively uses multiple media outlets.
4. Serves as a positive role model for the organization, establishes positive relationships, and contributes to the mission and goals of ACES.
5. Supports the mission and goals of ACES; knows resources available at parent institutions, fosters teamwork, and interacts professionally and collegially.
6. Fosters a positive culture within the organization and through mission implementation and provides positive professional leadership to stakeholders and peers.

Extension Scholarship

1. Provides input into new programs and utilizes research-based curriculum and resources.
2. Recognized as a subject-matter resource through authorship of routine Extension products.
3. Develops credibility as a disciplinary expert in assigned area.

Professional Development

1. Participates in in-service training and develops personal professional development goals and objectives to grow in subject-matter area.
2. Participates in appropriate professional organizations and may complete appropriate professional certificates.
3. Meets competency expectations and standards of PPT.

Qualifications

Focus of Education: Discipline related to extension programming.

Focus of Experience: Experience implementing, managing, or delivering educational programs in a relevant discipline, including formal and/or informal teaching methods.

Level 1: Bachelor’s degree and 0 years of experience. Level 2: Bachelor’s degree and 4 years of experience or Master’s degree and 2 years of experience.

License and Certifications

• Valid driver's license

This position requires regular travel to carry out Extension responsibilities, and the successful incumbent must have access to reliable transportation.

Desired Qualifications

1. 1. A Bachelor’s degree in Fisheries, Aquatic Sciences, Aquaculture, Aquatic Biology, Environmental Sciences, or related field WITH at least two years of relevant work experience is preferred.
   2. A Master’s degree is preferred.

Contract Type

Continuing

Why Work at Auburn?

• Life-Changing Impact: Our work changes lives through research, instruction, and outreach, making a lasting impact on our students, our communities, and the world.
• Culture of Excellence: We are committed to leveraging our strengths, resources, collaboration, and innovation as a top employer in higher education.
• We’re Here for You: Auburn offers generous benefits, educational opportunities, and a culture of support and work/life balance.
• Sweet Home Alabama: The Auburn/Opelika area offers southern charm, vibrant downtown scenes, top-ranked schools, and easy access to Atlanta, Birmingham, and the Gulf of Mexico beaches.
• A Place for Everyone: Auburn is committed to fostering an environment where all faculty, staff, and students are welcomed, valued, respected, and engaged.

Equal Opportunity Compliance Statement

It is our policy to provide equal employment and education opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other classification protected by applicable law. Please visit the Office of Equal Opportunity Compliance's website to learn more.

Posted Date

10/15/2026