West Plains District Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agent

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

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Life insurance

Vacation and sick leave

Retirement plan

Job summary

Kansas State University Extension agents are educators and connectors serving communities in Kansas. This on-site role leads educational programming in agriculture, natural resources, and youth development, working with volunteers and partners to meet local needs.

The position emphasizes leadership, funding pursuit, and district collaboration. West Plains District serves Finney County and Garden City area, with duties including program design, evaluation, and outreach to diverse community

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 12 credit hours or six months of related experience in primary programming responsibilities.
• GPA 2.75 on a 4.0 scale or evidence of progressive professional roles.
• Experience delivering information, training, or education to groups or individuals.
• Leadership experience in supervisory or informal roles.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for development, implementation, and evaluation of agriculture and natural resources education programming.
• Share leadership for 4H youth development programs across the district.
• Contribute to community vitality programs through leadership and civic engagement.
• Identify local needs and emerging issues and design educational strategies.
• Recruit and manage volunteers and collaborate with partners to meet community needs.
• Pursue internal and external funding to support programming and serve as West Plains District team member.

Skills

Leadership experience

Education delivery

Group facilitation

Communication

Computers/electronic communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

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.

• Primary leadership for the development, implementation, and evaluation of research-based educational programming related to agriculture and natural resources. Programming may include, but is not limited to: agronomy; livestock production; agricultural economics, management, and public policy; horticultural production and management; and natural resources conservation and environmental stewardship.
• Share leadership for the development, implementation, and evaluation of 4H youth development programs for school-aged youth in cooperation with volunteers and extension colleagues. Programming will include, but is not limited to: community clubs support; out-of-school programs; school enrichment; volunteer management; and outreach to create new opportunities with existing and new community partners.
• Share responsibility for 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.
  • 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 Natural Resources Program Focus Team
• Pursue internal and external funding to support educational programming.
• Serve as a member of the West Plains District team, cooperating in the planning and delivery of district-wide programming and related events. On January 1, this position transitions to a Finney County-only agent.
• May periodically be assigned to serve as the local unit director providing administrative oversight for fiscal operations; coordination of personnel; the development, delivery, and reporting of program impact; and other administrative functions assigned by the director for extension's representative and the extension board.

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 in Kansas. This agent will support West Plains District residents through research-based agricultural education, outreach and initiatives.

Finney County is a progressive county in southwest Kansas with a culturally diverse population of 37,000. It is the second-largest county based on land area in the state of Kansas. Garden City, located at the junction of Highways 83, 50, and 156, is a regional shopping hub for southwest Kansas and continues to grow. There are two school districts in the county - Garden City and Holcomb - as well as Garden City Community College.

Worksite Description

This agent will serve the people of Finney County in the West Plains District. This agent's office will be in Garden City, KS.

Work for this position is On-site in Finney County and at locations throughout the district.

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., agronomy; livestock production; agricultural economics, management, and public policy; horticultural production and management; and natural resources conservation and environmental stewardship).
• 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: October 21, 2026.

Interviews will be held on November 5, 2026.

Anticipated Hiring Pay Range

$47,500-$70,000

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.