Extension Agent - Dauphin County

Penn State University; Pennsylvania; On-site; USD 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

Penn State Extension is seeking an Extension Agent to work within Dauphin and Lebanon Counties, expanding local educational programming and technical assistance for Pennsylvania's agricultural communities. You will connect growers, youth, and partners with Penn State's research and practical solutions to strengthen agriculture and resilience.

Responsibilities include biosecurity planning, on-farm consultations, and delivering education across in-person, virtual, and hybrid formats, collaborating

Qualifications

• Provide general agricultural technical assistance and on-farm consultations under the guidance of Extension Educators, faculty, and specialists.
• Respond to client questions by providing science-based recommendations, educational resources, referrals, and connections to Penn State Extension expertise.
• Plan, coordinate, and deliver educational programs focused on agricultural production, livestock and crop systems, biosecurity, farm management, and related topics.

Responsibilities

• Biosecurity & Agricultural Preparedness: Serve as county-level resource during agricultural emergencies and emerging animal or plant health issues.
• Assist producers in developing and implementing farm biosecurity plans and other best management practices that reduce production risks.
• Collaborate with producers, veterinarians, commodity organizations, conservation partners, and state and federal agencies to promote disease prevention, emergency preparedness, and agricultural resilience.
• Increase awareness of biosecurity practices and emergency response strategies that protect the health of Pennsylvania's livestock and poultry industries.
• Help improve county preparedness by ensuring producers have timely access to science-based information, technical assistance, and trusted local expertise.
• Provide general agricultural technical assistance and on-farm consultations under the guidance of Extension Educators, faculty, and specialists.
• Respond to client questions by providing science-based recommendations, educational resources, referrals, and connections to Penn State Extension expertise.
• Assist producers in addressing production challenges, implementing best management practices, improving farm profitability and sustainability, and adapting to emerging technologies and regulatory requirements.
• Assist producers in utilizing Penn State's agricultural analytical and diagnostic laboratory services, including sample submission and interpretation of results.
• Build expertise in agricultural production systems, biosecurity, nutrient management, farm safety, and related subject areas through onboarding, training, and professional development.

Job description

This position is funded for 12 months; continuation past 12 months will be based on university need, performance, and/or availability of funding.

POSITION SPECIFICS

Penn State Extension is seeking an Extension Agent based within Dauphin and Lebanon Counties, to expand local educational programming and technical assistance for Pennsylvania's agricultural communities. Extension Agents serve as trusted local resources, connecting agricultural producers, agribusinesses, youth, and community partners with Penn State 's research, educational programs, and practical solutions that strengthen agricultural production, enhance community resilience, and support the long-term vitality of Pennsylvania agriculture.

Extension Agents increase the capacity of Penn State Extension's local service network by providing general agricultural technical assistance, on-farm consultations, educational programming, and timely responses to emerging issues. Working collaboratively with Extension Educators, faculty, and specialists, they build relationships with producers and community partners, identify local needs, and connect stakeholders with Penn State's statewide expertise and research-based resources. Extension Agents help producers address everyday production challenges, adopt best management practices, improve farm profitability and sustainability, navigate new technologies and regulations, and strengthen the resilience of Pennsylvania agriculture. Through local engagement and trusted partnerships, they serve as Penn State Extension's front-line presence within the agricultural community.

Key Responsibilities

• Biosecurity & Agricultural Preparedness
• Serve as Penn State Extension's county-level resource during agricultural emergencies and emerging animal or plant health issues.
• Support Extension response efforts related to emerging agricultural threats, including Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) and other biosecurity concerns.
• Assist producers in developing and implementing farm biosecurity plans and other best management practices that reduce production risks.
• Collaborate with producers, veterinarians, commodity organizations, conservation partners, and state and federal agencies to promote disease prevention, emergency preparedness, and agricultural resilience.
• Increase awareness of biosecurity practices and emergency response strategies that protect the health of Pennsylvania's livestock and poultry industries.
• Help improve county preparedness by ensuring producers have timely access to science-based information, technical assistance, and trusted local expertise.

Technical Assistance & On-Farm Support

• Provide general agricultural technical assistance and on-farm consultations under the guidance of Extension Educators, faculty, and specialists.
• Respond to client questions by providing science-based recommendations, educational resources, referrals, and connections to Penn State Extension expertise.
• Assist producers in addressing production challenges, implementing best management practices, improving farm profitability and sustainability, and adapting to emerging technologies and regulatory requirements.
• Assist producers in utilizing Penn State's agricultural analytical and diagnostic laboratory services, including sample submission and interpretation of results.
• Build expertise in agricultural production systems, biosecurity, nutrient management, farm safety, and related subject areas through onboarding, training, and professional development.

Agricultural Education & Outreach

• Plan, coordinate, and deliver educational programs focused on agricultural production, livestock and crop systems, biosecurity, farm management, and related topics.
• Deliver educational programming through in-person, virtual, and hybrid formats to meet the needs of diverse audiences.
• Organize and support workshops, field days, demonstrations, producer meetings, clinics, tours, agricultural fairs, and other Extension educational events.
• Coordinate local delivery of statewide Extension initiatives and educational programming.
• Promote Extension programs and services through community outreach and partnerships.

Community Engagement

Serve as a visible and trusted representa