Education Extension Specialist III

Iowa State University - College of Design; United States; On-site; USD 60,000 - 82,000; Full time

Job summary

Iowa State University - College of Design seeks a K-12 Agricultural Education & Outreach Specialist to bring innovative ag technology to students across Iowa. You will lead statewide programs through school visits, 4-H and FFA activities, and events, traveling to communities to inspire future careers in agriculture.

The role emphasizes presenting, relationship-building, and collaboration with ISU Extension and Digital Ag staff. Evening/weekend hours and travel are expected.

Qualifications

• Experience working with K-12 students, educators, or youth‑focused educational programs.
• Strong presentation and communication skills with the ability to engage diverse audiences.
• Willingness to travel regularly across Iowa to represent Digital Ag and ISU Extension.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development, coordination, and delivery of statewide K-12 agricultural technology education programs, including curriculum, presentations, demonstrations, and hands-on learning activities.
• Engage students, educators, FFA chapters, 4-H programs, school clubs, and other youth-focused organizations through educational presentations, school visits, facility tours, and events.
• Translate Digital Ag research and emerging technologies into engaging, age-appropriate educational content.
• Build relationships with educators, youth program leaders, and community partners to identify programming needs and expand engagement opportunities.
• Collaborate with Digital Ag staff, Extension professionals, university partners, and K-12 educators to develop and maintain educational materials and programming.
• Represent Digital Ag and ISU Extension at school programs, career events, conferences, field days, and community activities.
• Develop and maintain a roadmap for current and future programs aligned with academic calendars and conventions.
• Evaluate program participation, reach, feedback, and learning outcomes to document impact and guide future programming.

Skills

Presentation skills

Communication skills

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture Education or related field

Job description

Position Title: Education Extension Specialist III

Job Group: Professional & Scientific

Required Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree and 5 years of related experience

Job Description

Build the Future of Agriculture

If you enjoy working with young people and want to help them discover the technologies, careers, and opportunities shaping the future of agriculture, this is the role for you.

Who We Are

The Digital Ag Innovation Lab at Iowa State University partners with leading agricultural companies to design, build, and deploy next-generation technologies for agriculture. Our team works at the intersection of applied engineering, industry collaboration, and the land-grant mission, moving ideas from concept to prototype to field deployment. Our vision is bold: to be the premier thought leader and partner in ag innovation. Our mission guides everything we do: Innovate. Educate. Outreach. We operate with four core values: Passion. Innovation. Collaboration. Excellence. This is a place for builders, problem-solvers, and systems thinkers who want their work to move from idea prototype field industry adoption.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a K-12 Agricultural Education & Outreach Specialist to bring ag technology to K-12 students across Iowa. Through school visits, FFA and 4-H programs, presentations, demonstrations, facility tours, and events, you will help students explore emerging agricultural technologies and the various career pathways available in agriculture. This is a highly visible, statewide role for someone who enjoys presenting, building relationships, traveling, and representing Digital Ag and Iowa State University Extension in communities across Iowa.

What You’ll Do

• Lead the development, coordination, and delivery of statewide K-12 agricultural technology education programs, including curriculum, presentations, demonstrations, and hands‑on learning activities.
• Engage students, educators, FFA chapters, 4-H programs, school clubs, and other youth‑focused organizations through educational presentations, school visits, facility tours, and events.
• Translate Digital Ag research and emerging technologies, including precision agriculture, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, data analytics, geographic information systems (GIS), robotics, drones, and automation, into engaging, age‑appropriate educational content.
• Build relationships with educators, youth program leaders, and community partners to identify programming needs, expand engagement opportunities, and support ongoing collaboration.
• Collaborate with Digital Ag staff, Extension professionals, university partners, and K-12 educators to develop and maintain educational materials and programming.
• Represent Digital Ag, Iowa State University Extension, and the agricultural industry at school programs, career events, conferences, field days, and community activities.
• Develop and maintain a roadmap for current and future programs aligned with K-12 academic calendars, state and national conventions, and opportunities to reach target audiences across Iowa.
• Evaluate program participation, reach, feedback, and learning outcomes to document impact, inform continuous improvement, and guide future programming.
• Promote awareness of agricultural career pathways and connect students with educational and career opportunities available through Iowa State University and the agricultural industry.

What You Bring

• Experience working with K-12 students, educators, or youth‑focused educational programs.
• Knowledge of agriculture and an interest in agricultural technology, innovation, and career development.
• Experience developing educational programs or curriculum for K-12 audiences and evaluating program participation, outcomes, or impact.
• Strong presentation and communication skills with the ability to engage audiences of different ages and backgrounds.
• Ability to translate technical and scientific information into clear, engaging educational content.
• Strong organizational and relationship‑building skills, with the ability to independently coordinate programs, manage multiple priorities, and collaborate with educators, university partners, and community stakeholders.
• Professionalism and confidence representing an organization in public settings, along with the ability and willingness to travel regularly throughout Iowa.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in agricultural education, agricultural communications, agriculture, education, Extension, agricultural business, agricultural engineering or technology, or a related field.
• Experience working with FFA, 4-H, agricultural education, Extension, or K-12 STEM programs.
• Familiarity with precision agriculture, agricultural equipment, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, data analytics, geographic information systems (GIS), robotics, drones, automation, or other emerging agricultural technologies.
• Experience coordinating educational or outreach programs across multiple schools, communities, or geographic regions.
• Experience developing partnerships with agricultural organizations, industry partners, or educational institutions to support youth programming or career exploration.

This position involves in state travel and may include occasional out of state travel, as well as evening and weekend hours. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position. This is a term position with the expectation of long-term renewal. The selected candidate will be hired as an Education Extension Specialist III.

Appointment Type: Regular with Term Appointment (Fixed Term) Proposed End Date or Length of Term: December 13, 2029 Number of Months Employed Per Year: 12 Month Work Period Time Type: Full time Pay Grade: PS808

Why Choose Iowa State University?

Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work‑life benefits, including medical and dental, as well as:

• Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
• Generous vacation, holiday, and sick time and leave plans
• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)
• Life insurance and long-term disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Various voluntary benefits and discounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellbeing program

Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non‑discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. [phone], email [e-mail].

Iowa State University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should email [e-mail] or call [phone] or Toll-Free at 1-877-477-7485. TTY users are welcome to use the Iowa Relay Service number by dialing 7-1-1 or [phone].

General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.

By focusing on the future and providing the best student experience possible, Iowa State University attracts students and faculty. With a comprehensive land‑grant mission of education, research, extension and outreach, we produce scholars whose ideas change the world. And through Innovate at Iowa State, we provide innovative and entrepreneurial opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Located just 30 minutes north of Des Moines, the city of Ames was recently named one of the Top 10 cities in the U.S. for campus life and career opportunities. Iowa State University is a welcoming community of students, faculty, and staff. Campus community members have a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and are committed to engaging with each other respectfully as outlined in the university's Principles of Community. Iowa State recognizes that diverse intellectual and philosophical perspectives are vital to innovation, critical thinking skills, and a dynamic academic community that fosters the land-grant ideals of putting science, technology, and human creativity to work.