Extension Program Associate

Mississippi State University; Jackson (MS); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Mississippi State University in Mississippi seeks a detail-oriented professional to support statewide early childhood education initiatives. The role focuses on organizing learning materials, coordinating trainings with MDHS, and maintaining accurate records.

The position requires an associate degree, two years’ related experience, and a valid driver’s license with willingness to travel and work flexible hours including evenings and weekends, as needed to meet program deadlines.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in Child Development or related field.
• Two (2) years’ experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
• Equivalent combination of related education and related experience may be considered.

Responsibilities

• Organize, catalog, and maintain the educational learning materials and resources.
• Responsible for keeping the resource library and all materials neat and clean.
• Order, stock and distribute training and office supplies.
• Greet and direct visitors; resolve routine administrative problems and answer inquiries concerning activities and operations of department/division.
• Answer telephone, route calls, take messages, and provide general information.
• Open and route incoming mail; distribute correspondence and other materials to staff.
• Operate a computer keyboard to establish, maintain, and update files, databases, records, and/or other documents.
• Perform routine typing assignments; draft basic correspondence, enter data, and print letters, labels, reports, etc.
• In collaboration with MDHS, schedule, coordinate, and plan trainings.
• Arrange meetings and conferences; schedule interviews and appointments; make travel and lodging arrangements.
• Assist with data collection for reports related to the project and evaluations of the project.
• Perform any related duties as assigned.

Skills

Organizing

Confidentiality

Following procedures

Communication

Travel

Flexible hours

Education

Associate degree in Child Development or related field

Job description

Position Function:

Encourage and support early care and education providers, families, and children across the state and provide referrals and resources to families.

Salary Grade:09

Please see Staff Compensation Structure or Skilled Crafts and Service Maintenance Compensation Schedule for salary ranges. For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.

Anticipated Appointment Date:

August 2026.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The following examples are intended as illustrations only of the various types of duties assigned in positions allocated to this classification. The absence of specific statements of duties does not exclude those tasks from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment of the position.

• Organize, catalog, and maintain the educational learning materials and resources.
• Responsible for keeping the resource library and all materials neat and clean.
• Order, stock and distribute training and office supplies.
• May greet and direct visitors, when appropriate; resolve routine administrative problems and answer inquiries concerning activities and operations of department/division.
• May answer telephone, route calls, take messages, and provide general information.
• Open and route incoming mail; distribute correspondence and other materials to staff.
• Operate a computer keyboard to establish, maintain, and update files, databases, records, and/or other documents.
• Perform a variety of routine typing assignments as appropriate to the position; operate a personal computer to draft basic correspondence, enter data, and print letters, labels, reports, and/or other materials; type and mail form letters.
• In collaboration with MDHS, schedule, coordinate, and plan trainings.
• May arrange meetings and conferences, schedules interviews and appointments, and perform other duties related to maintaining one or more individual schedules; makes travel and lodging arrangements, either directly or through travel agencies.
• Assist with the collection of data for various reports related to the project and outline in the scope of services and evaluations of the project.
• Perform any related duties as assigned.

Responsible to:

• Executive Director
• Associate Executive Director
• Project Director
• Field Supervisor (immediate)

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education: Associate degree in Child Development, Early Childhood or a related field.
• Experience: Two (2) years' experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.
• Substitution: An equivalent combination of related education and related experience may be considered for this position.
• Licensures: Must have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ability to travel out of local area (in- and out-of-state travel). Overnight travel will be required. Use of personal car required.
• Frequent – Externally imposed deadlines set and revised beyond one’s control; interruptions influence priorities; difficult to anticipate nature and volume of work with certainty beyond a few days; irregular hours may be anticipated; meeting of deadlines and coordination of unrelated activities are key to position.
• Job frequently requires walking, sitting, reaching, talking, hearing, handling objects with hands.
• Job requires standing, stooping/kneeling/crouching/crawling, and lifting up to 40 pounds.
• Vision requirements: Ability to see information in print and/or electronically.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Organizing and coordinating skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of records and information.
• Ability to understand and follow specific instructions and procedures.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to travel as required during performance of assigned tasks.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

• Ability to travel out of local area (in- and out-of-state travel). Overnight travel will be required. Use of personal car required.
• Frequent – Externally imposed deadlines set and revised beyond one’s control; interruptions influence priorities; difficult to anticipate nature and volume of work with certainty beyond a few days; irregular hours may be anticipated; meeting of deadlines and coordination of unrelated activities are key to position.
• Job frequently requires walking, sitting, reaching, talking, hearing, handling objects with hands.
• Job requires standing, stooping/kneeling/crouching/crawling, and lifting up to 40 pounds.
• Vision requirements: Ability to see information in print and/or electronically.

Screening Date:

August 12, 2026, until filled.

Restricted Clause:

Position is contingent upon continued availability of funding.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Discrimination is prohibited in university employment, programs or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status to the extent protected by applicable law. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of Civil Rights Compliance, 231 Famous Maroon Band Street, P.O. 6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762, [phone].

What do I do if I need an accommodation?

In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at [phone] or [e-mail].

If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at [phone] or [e-mail]. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.