West Plains Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent

Kansas State University; Manhattan (KS); On-site; USD 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Kansas State University is seeking an On-site West Plains Extension Agent in Finney County, KS. This role focuses on family and consumer sciences, youth development through 4-H, and community vitality, in collaboration with volunteers and extension colleagues.

The agent will develop, implement, and evaluate educational programming across topics such as health, nutrition, parenting, and financial management, and will engage local partners to expand program impact.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development, implementation, and evaluation of research-based educational programming related to family and consumer sciences (family life, nutrition, food safety, parenting, communication, financial management, leadership, health).
• Share leadership for development, implementation, and evaluation of 4-H youth programs with volunteers and extension colleagues (community clubs, after-school, enrichment, volunteer management, partnerships).
• Share responsibility for community vitality programming to strengthen social, civic, economic, and technological capacity through leadership and civic engagement.
• Identify local needs and issues related to K-State Extension's five critical issues (water/resources; community vitality; health; future leaders; global food systems).
• Design educational strategies aligning with the Next-Gen Strategic Plan, including community-based programming, events, experiential learning, tech tools, consultations, and group facilitation.
• Collaborate with local partners to meet community needs; recruit and manage volunteers to expand extension reach and impact.
• Develop strategies to serve all community audiences; collect and communicate evidence of program impact; engage in a Program Focus Team.
• Pursue internal and external funding to support programming; serve as West Plains team member for county-wide programming and events.
• On Jan 1, transitions to Finney County-only agent; may serve as local unit director for fiscal operations, personnel, program impact reporting, and admin duties.

Job description

This job was posted by https://www.kansasworks.com : For more information, please see: https://www.kansasworks.com/jobs/13672650

West Plains Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent

Kansas State University

About This Role

• Lead the development, implementation, and evaluation of

research-based educational programming related to family and consumer sciences. Programming may include but is not limited to: family life, nutrition, food safety, parenting, communication, financial management, leadership, and health.

• Share leadership for the development, implementation, and evaluation

of the 4-H 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 program 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 K-State 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 K-State 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 a Program Focus Team.

• Pursue internal and external funding to support educational programming.

• Serve as a member of the West Plains team, cooperating in the planning and delivery of county-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 K-State 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 with continued growth. There are two school districts in the county - Garden City and Holcomb - as well as Garden City Community College. This position will provide family & consumer science programming for Finney Co. with shared responsibility for a strong traditional 4-H and Youth development program.

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.