The River Valley Extension District is comprised of Clay, Cloud, Republic, and Washington counties in north-central Kansas along the Republican River Valley. It is a rural region with a combined population of approximately 27,000 residents in 32 communities. The region has 1,066,693 acres in cropland with more than 101,943 acres being irrigated. Soybeans, corn, wheat, forage crops, and sorghum are the primary crops. The market value of crops and crop products sold total to around $324 million.  This agent will join seven other extension agents and eight support staff in providing programming in agriculture and natural resources; community development; family and consumer sciences; and 4-H youth development.

Extension agents are community based faculty of Kansas State University who make a difference by connecting community needs with university resources. Agents are administratively responsible to the local extension director and the local extension board.

This position will lead the development, implementation and evaluation of research-based educational programming related to agriculture and natural resources. Programming will include but is not limited to: agronomic and livestock production; agricultural economics, management, and public policy; horticultural production and management; and natural resources conservation and environmental stewardship.

Position Description

Extension agents are professional educators who serve as a link between Kansas State University and communities across Kansas. Agents are administratively responsible to the Director of K-State Research and Extension (represented by a designated administrator) and the local extension board.

• Lead the development, implementation and evaluation of research-based educational programming related to agriculture and natural resources. Programming will include but is not limited to: agronomic and livestock production; agricultural economics, management, and public policy; horticultural production and management; and natural resources conservation and environmental stewardship.
• Share responsibility for the 4-H youth development programming related to agriculture and natural resources.
• Participate in community vitality programming that helps our communities become better places to live, work, and play. Programming will strengthen social, civic, economic, and technological capacity of communities through leadership development and civic engagement.
• Successful extension programs require agents to:

1. Identify local needs and emerging issues related to K-State Research and Extension’s five Grand Challenges (water & 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.
2. Design appropriate educational strategies to engage clientele. 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.
3. Develop and implement strategies to serve diverse audiences and to ensure K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider of educational programming.
4. Collect and communicate evidence of educational program impact.
5. 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 River Valley District team cooperating in the planning and delivery of district-wide programming and related events.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Academic coursework, professional development, or prior employment related to the position responsibilities.
• Evidence of strong academic and/or professional performance as documented by college transcripts or documented success in increasingly responsible professional positions.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with individuals, groups and through mass media.
• Familiarity with various ethnic and socio-economic audiences; an interest in working with people from diverse backgrounds; and a commitment to supporting and enhancing K-State Research and Extension’s initiative for diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule which will include some nights, weekends, and overnight travel.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree.
• Education or professional experience in the areas of farm management, farm succession, insurance, agricultural marketing, and/or agriculture policy.
• 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.
• Understanding of educational program design, promotion, implementation, and evaluation.
• Skills in group facilitation.
• Knowledge of adult and youth teaching/learning processes.
• Experience seeking and administering external grant funding.
• Ability to communicate effectively with both English and Spanish-speaking learners.

Other Qualifications

• Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States at the time of employment.
• Access to a personal vehicle and the ability to obtain/maintain a valid driver’s license.