Midway District 4-H Youth Development Extension Agent

Kansas State University; Manhattan (KS); On-site; USD 48,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Paid vacation & leave

Job summary

Kansas State University invites applications for an Extension Agent in the Midway District to lead the development, implementation, and evaluation of a 4H youth development program and related adult volunteer development, outreach, and partnerships in central Kansas.

This on-site role requires building community capacity, coordinating with local districts, recruiting volunteers, seeking funding, and contributing to district-wide programming.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Experience delivering information or education to groups.
• Leadership experience in supervisory or informal roles.
• Ability to work with diverse communities and volunteers.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development, implementation, and evaluation of a comprehensive 4H youth development program.
• Share supervisory responsibility for staff and support personnel.
• Engage in community vitality programming and volunteer recruitment/management.
• Pursue funding to support educational programming.

Skills

Self-motivation

Group facilitation

Bilingual: English/Spanish

Professional development

Electronic communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree (preferred)

Job description

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 are jointly responsible to the director of KState Extension (represented by a designated administrator) and the local extension board.

• Lead the development, implementation, and evaluation of a comprehensive 4H youth development program 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 program development; 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.
• Share supervisory responsibility for a full-time office professional supporting Russell County and any 4-H youth development support staff employed by the district.
• Engage in community vitality programming that helps our communities become better places to live, work, and play by strengthening social, civic, economic, and technological capacity through leadership development and civic engagement.
• Successful extension programs require agents to:
  • Identify local needs and emerging issues related to KState Extension's five critical issues (water and natural resources; community vitality; health; developing tomorrow's leaders; and global food systems) 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 KState 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 expertise in a subject matter competency area by engaging as a member of the Youth Development Program Focus Team.
• Pursue internal and external funding to support educational programming.
• Serve as a member of the Midway District team, cooperating in the planning and delivery of district-wide programming and related events.

About Us

K-State Extension connects Kansans to research-based information and education that helps individuals, families, businesses and communities thrive. It is a partnership between Kansas State University and federal, state, and county governments. Through local extension offices, K-State Extension provides practical solutions and programs in areas such as agriculture, health, youth development, and community vitality. Learn more at extension.k-state.edu.

Extension agents are educators, connectors and innovators who serve as a link between KState and communities across Kansas.

The Midway District comprises Ellsworth and Russell counties in central Kansas. It is home to 13 rural communities, which are served by four school districts. The extension district's staff consists of four agents and two office professionals who serve the district's roughly 13,000 residents. The Midway District 4-H program currently has nine community clubs, nearly 200 4-H members, and approximately 40 adult volunteers.

Worksite Description

This agent will serve the people of the Midway District. The Midway District has offices in Russel and Ellsworth, KS. This agent's primary office will be in Russell, KS.

This position is On-site.

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 primary programming responsibilities (e.g., education, child development, volunteer management).
• 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.

Licenses and certifications:

• Must have access to a personal vehicle and the ability to obtain/maintain a valid driver's license.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Two or more years of professional experience.
• Master's degree.
• 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.

Skills and attributes:

• 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.

Additional Role Information:

• This role will require the ability to work with people from various backgrounds and a commitment to supporting and enhancing KState's initiative for access and opportunity.
• Extension agents work a flexible schedule which will include nights, weekends, and overnight travel.

Sponsorship eligibility:

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship

Application Window

Applications close on: September 8, 2026.

Interviews will be held September 22, 2026.

Anticipated Hiring Pay Range

$47,500-$70,000

Salary, Benefits, and Professional Development

• Salary commensurate with professional experience and available funding as negotiated by the regional extension director, the local extension board, and the applicant. The anticipated hiring salary range is $47,500-$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. See a complete list of benefits on theK-State Employee Benefits website.