County Extension Director

Joe; Kansas; On-site; USD 46,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Joe is seeking an Extension Director based in Oberlin, Kansas, responsible for enhancing community vitality through educational programming and youth development. This role requires collaboration with local stakeholders, budget management, and supervision of staff. Candidates should have a Bachelor's degree and a strong background in community engagement and program development. The salary is anticipated between $46,000–$70,000 depending on experience, with benefits including health insurance and retirement plans.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree is required for this role.
• 12 credit hours of relevant coursework or six months of experience is mandatory.
• Experience in delivering training or education to groups is essential.
• Access to a personal vehicle and a valid driver's license is necessary.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement educational programming to improve community capacity.
• Collaborate with local stakeholders for program development.
• Supervise and evaluate staff, ensuring quality programming.
• Coordinate youth development programs and community partnership expansion.

Skills

Community engagement

Leadership

Budget management

Education delivery

Volunteer management

Effective communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Job description

Position Details

• Service Area: Decatur County
• Office Location: Oberlin, KS
• Title: Extension Director
• Primary Programming Responsibility: Community Vitality

About This Role

Extension agents are professional educators, community connectors and innovators who serve as a link between Kansas State University and communities across Kansas. Agents (including county directors) are jointly responsible to the director of K‑State Extension and the local extension board.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate with local unit staff, board members, and others (as appropriate) to provide leadership for the following activities:
  • Developing the annual budget, securing extramural funds, submitting appropriate financial reports, and reviewing audits.
  • Handling legal responsibilities of the local extension unit as directed in extension law.
  • Supervising, coaching, and evaluating local unit staff.
  • Planning for office space, equipment, and technology.
  • Working with the Extension Board, local stakeholders, area and state extension faculty, and others to develop comprehensive programming to address local issues.
  • Developing and maintaining strong relationships with county commissioners and other key decision-makers in the county.
• Lead the development, implementation and evaluation of research‑based educational programming to help our community become a better place 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.
• Coordinate 4‑H youth development programs for school‑aged youth in cooperation with local community members and extension colleagues. The primary focus of this position is youth development, along with adult volunteer development, youth education, membership growth and participation, and community partnership expansion. Programming will include but is not limited to community club support, out‑of‑school programs, school enrichment, volunteer management, and outreach to create program opportunities with new and existing community partners.
• Provide other research‑based educational programming to support residents of Decatur County. Programming topics could include agriculture and natural resources, family and consumer sciences, and any other topics that would benefit the local families, businesses, and individuals.
• Successful extension programs require agents to:
  • Identify local needs and emerging issues related to K‑State Research and Extension’s five critical issues by engaging with program development committees and other community organizations and professionals.
  • Design appropriate educational strategies to respond to emerging needs and engage clientele by aligning with the imperatives of the K‑State Next‑Gen Strategic Plan. 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.
  • Collaborate with local partners to meet community and programmatic needs.
  • Recruit and manage volunteers to further the reach and impact of extension programming.
  • Develop and implement strategies to serve all community audiences.
  • Collect and communicate evidence of educational program impact.
  • Cultivate subject matter expertise by engaging as a member of a Program Focus Team.
• Pursue internal and external funding to support educational programming.

Location and Worksite Option

This agent will serve the people of Decatur County. The Decatur County Extension office is in Oberlin, KS.

Work for this position is on site in the Decatur County Extension office and at locations throughout the district.

This position will require occasional overnight travel and is expected to host and attend events during some evenings and weekends. Reimbursement for travel and subsistence related to achieving program objectives will be provided.

What You’ll Need to Succeed

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree.
• At least 12 credit hours of academic coursework or six months of professional experience related directly to the position’s primary responsibilities.
• Demonstrated academic and/or professional achievement (minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale or evidence of progressively responsible professional roles).
• Experience delivering information, training, or education to groups or individuals, either in person or through media.
• Leadership experience in supervisory or informal roles.
• Must have access to a personal vehicle and a valid driver’s license.
• This role will require the ability to work with people from various backgrounds and a commitment to supporting K‑State’s initiative for access and opportunity.
• Extension agents work a flexible schedule which will include nights, weekends, and overnight travel.
• Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship.

Preferred Qualifications

• Two or more years of professional experience.
• Master’s degree.
• Previous supervisory experience.
• Experience managing fiscal responsibilities, including budget development, financial oversight, and securing extramural funds.
• Experience working with youth across multiple age groups in both formal and informal settings.
• Understanding of educational program design, promotion, implementation, and evaluation.
• Experience with volunteer recruitment, support, and management.
• Knowledge of adult and youth teaching/learning processes.
• Experience seeking and administering external grant funding.
• 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.
• Skills in group facilitation.
• Ability to communicate effectively with both English and Spanish‑speaking learners.

Salary, Benefits and Professional Development

• Salary commensurate with professional experience and available funding as negotiated by the regional extension director, local extension board, and the applicant. The anticipated hiring salary range is $46,000–$70,000.
• 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.
• Reimbursement for travel related to achieving program objectives.
• New agents will be provided with comprehensive Early Career Professional Development training throughout onboarding period, including virtual and in‑person training and networking opportunities.
• Tuition assistance is available to full‑time employees and their spouse/dependents.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Kansas State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran.

Background Screening Statement

Upon acceptance of a contingent offer of employment, a candidate may be subject to a background check per K‑State’s background check policy.

Travel Requirements

Work for this position will require regular travel throughout the service area and occasional overnight travel. Reimbursement for travel and subsistence related to achieving program objectives will be provided.