Penn State Extension Educator Leadership Programs

Penn State University; State College (Centre County); On-site; USD 66,000 - 108,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

75% tuition discount

Comprehensive retirement plans

Paid time off

Job summary

Penn State Extension in University Park seeks an Extension Educator to lead leadership program design, delivery, and outreach across diverse audiences. The role emphasizes partnerships, collaboration, and evidence-based programming within the College of Agricultural Sciences.

The position includes remote/hybrid work considerations, travel as needed, and a 1-year funding term with potential renewal based on university needs and funding availability.

Qualifications

• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills are required.
• Ability to work collaboratively across teams and with external stakeholders.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and maintain high-quality program delivery.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and delivery of leadership programming across in-person, virtual, and hybrid formats.
• Assess community needs, design responsive programming, and evaluate outcomes to demonstrate impact.
• Collaborate with statewide Extension teams and contribute to multi-program initiatives.
• Coordinate and oversee all aspects of leadership program delivery, including scheduling, logistics, curriculum implementation, and participant engagement.
• Manage events, workshops, and multi-day institutes with reporting, evaluation, and participant data systems.
• Build relationships with community organizations, industry partners, government agencies, alumni, and university stakeholders.
• Serve as a liaison between Penn State Extension and external partners and support recruitment of participants.
• Lead volunteers and advisory boards, recruit/train members, and ensure compliance with university policies.
• Grant writing, fundraising, and financial management of program budgets, contracts, and funding streams.
• Develop curriculum and instructional materials, digital content, and evaluation tools.
• Develop communications, marketing materials, and outreach to promote program visibility and impact.

Education

Master’s Degree

6+ years relevant experience

Job description

POSITION SPECIFICS

Penn State Extension is hiring an Extension Educator to provide leadership for program design, delivery, and outreach while strengthening partnerships and advancing Extension’s strategic initiatives. This role is responsible for planning, developing, implementing, and evaluating research-based leadership development programs for diverse audiences, including youth and adults, as part of Penn State Extension within the College of Agricultural Sciences. This position requires an individual who is highly motivated and skilled in leadership education and program delivery. This position is funded for 1 year(s); continuation past 1 year(s) will be based on university need, performance, and/or availability of funding. Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the development and delivery of leadership programming using multiple modalities, including in-person, virtual, and hybrid formats.
• Assess community and organizational needs, design responsive programming, and evaluate outcomes to demonstrate program effectiveness and impact.
• Collaborate with statewide Extension teams and contributes to multi-program initiatives.
• Coordinate and oversee all aspects of leadership program delivery, including scheduling, logistics, curriculum implementation, and participant engagement.
• Manage events, workshops, and multi-day institutes while maintaining systems for reporting, evaluation, and participant data.
• Build and maintain relationships with community organizations, industry partners, government agencies, alums, and internal university stakeholders.
• Serve as a liaison between Penn State Extension and external partners, represent Extension in professional associations, and support recruitment and engagement of program participants.
• Lead volunteers and advisory boards by recruiting, training, and supporting members, while ensuring compliance with university policies.
• Grant writing, fundraising, and financial management of program budgets, contracts, and funding streams.
• Contribute to curriculum and resource development by identifying emerging leadership education needs and creating instructional materials, digital content, and evaluation tools.
• Develop and manage communications, marketing materials, and outreach efforts to promote program visibility and impact.
• The role includes engagement in professional development, support of Extension initiatives, and contribution to organizational goals.
• This position involves occasional travel and program delivery outside of standard business hours, including evenings and weekends.

QUALIFICATIONS

This position requires strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills, both written and verbal, along with the ability to work collaboratively across teams and with external stakeholders. Candidates should demonstrate the ability to work independently while managing multiple priorities and maintaining high-quality program delivery.

MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

• If filled as Extension Educator - Senior Professional, this position requires: Master’s Degree 6+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted. Required Certifications: None.
• If filled as Extension Educator - Advanced Professional, this position requires: Master’s Degree 3+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted. Required Certifications: None.

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies. This position requires that you operate a motor vehicle as a part of your job duties. A valid driver’s license and successful completion of a motor vehicle records check will be required in addition to standard background checks. Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of a staff employment Visa. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.

SALARY & BENEFITS

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $65,508.00 - $108,444.00. Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure

• In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time.
• One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473. Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.

Federal Contractors Labor Law Poster PA State Labor Law Poster Penn State Policies Copyright Information Hotlines There’s a reason Penn State consistently ranks among the top one percent of the world’s universities. Across 24 campuses, our 100,000 students and 40,000 faculty and staff know the real measure of success goes beyond the classroom – it’s the positive impact made on communities across the world. Our ideals stem from our origins as Pennsylvania’s sole land-grant institution, which allow us to continue to bring positive impact to humanity through our teaching, research, and engagement mission. And across the world is a community of Penn Staters – more than half a million strong – driven by that same spirit to serve our local and global communities. At Penn State, passion is met with collaboration in an environment that is rooted in shared pride for the accomplishments of our fellow students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Penn Staters cheer each other on to build a culture committed to service and engagement. Our University values represent our core ethical aspirations for all our daily activities and actions as students, faculty, staff, and volunteers at Penn State. Our values are as follows; Integrity, Respect, Responsibility, Discovery, Excellence, and Community. We Are Penn State. One Community. Impacting Many.