County Extension Director

Position Summary

Descriptive Title

Sedgwick County Extension Director

Position Description

K-State Extension’s mission is to improve Kansans’ lives, livelihoods and communities with research-based education and outreach. This position provides financial, personnel, administrative and programmatic leadership for the Sedgwick County Extension team.

Search Details:

• K-State Career #520311.
• Application Deadline: Sept 3.

Position Details:

• Service Area: Sedgwick County.
• Office Location: Wichita, KS.
• Title: Extension Director.
• Primary Focus: Administrative leadership.

 

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 (including local unit directors) are jointly responsible to the director of K‑State Extension (represented by a designated administrator) and the local extension board.

• Collaborate with other agents, local unit staff, board members, and others (as appropriate) to provide leadership for the following activities:
  • Developing the annual budget, securing extramural funds, submitting appropriate financial reports, and reviewing audits.
  • Handling legal responsibilities of the local extension unit as directed in extension law.
  • Supervising, coaching, and evaluating agents and local unit staff.
  • Planning for office space, equipment, and technology. This will include managing the Sedgwick County Extension Education Center, a 41,000 ft2 facility located on 12 acres of county land which is used for extension, community and private events/rentals.
  • Assuming leadership for working with the local extension board; community stakeholders; regional and state extension faculty; and others to develop comprehensive programming to address local issues.
  • Developing and maintaining strong relationships with county commissioners and other key decision-makers in the local unit.
    Sharing the impact of extension programs and initiatives with local partners and county and state leaders.
• 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 Research and 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 subject matter expertise 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 Sedgwick County team, cooperating in the planning and delivery of county-wide programming and related events.

 

About Us

K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service. Our system is designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. We are a partnership between Kansas State University and federal, state, and county governments. We have extension offices in every Kansas county. Learn more at ksre.k-state.edu.

Extension agents are Kansas State University faculty working throughout the state to serve the needs of local communities.

Sedgwick County is comprised of Wichita (the county seat) and 19 other cities in south-central Kansas. The county’s diversified urban, suburban, and rural population is over 500,000. The Sedgwick County Extension team conducts public outreach and education related to family and consumer sciences, 4-H youth development, agriculture, horticulture and community vitality. The county’s extension director will provide leadership and oversight for an award-winning team of nine agents and approximately 15 support staff. Together, they were named K-State Extension’s 2024 Outstanding Local Unit for their remarkable service and impact. This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious, progressive leader to support and advance extension programming for the people of Sedgwick County.

 

Location and Worksite Option

This role will serve the people of Sedgwick County. The Sedgwick County Extension office is in Wichita, KS.

Work for this position is on site in the Sedgwick County Extension office and at locations throughout the county.

This position will require occasional overnight travel and is expected to host and attend events during some evenings and weekends.

 

What You’ll Need to Succeed

Minimum Qualifications

Education and experience:

• Bachelor’s degree.
• At least five years of supervisory experience.
• 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.
• Experience providing customer service and building/maintaining client relationships.

Licenses and certifications:

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

Additional expectations:

• This role will require the ability to work with people from various backgrounds and a commitment to supporting and enhancing K‑State’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.

 

Preferred Qualifications

Education and experience:

• Master’s degree.
• Experience managing fiscal responsibilities, including budget development, financial oversight, and securing of extramural funds.
• Experience working effectively with local stakeholders and/or government leaders to support program objectives.
• 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.

 

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.
• 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.
• Reimbursement for travel related to achieving program objectives.
• New agents will be provided with comprehensive Early Career Professional Development training throughout their onboarding period. This series will include virtual and in-person training and networking opportunities.
• Tuition assistance is available to full-time employees and their spouse/dependents.

 

Background Screening Statement:

Upon acceptance of a contingent offer of employment, a candidate may be subject to a background check per K-State’s background check policy.

Driver’s license or alternate transportation required?

yes

Contact Name

Mary Hellmer

Contact Email

ksrejobs@ksu.edu

Contact Phone

7855325790

Application Instructions

Apply for K-State Career #520311. You will be asked to provide a resume, cover letter, and copy of your academic transcript(s), as well as the names and email addresses of three professional references.

Equal Employer Statement(s)

Kansas State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran.

Apply for job