About This Role:

Cottonwood District is comprised of Barton and Ellis Counties. A staff of seven extension agents and several support team members serve this district's combined population of 54,956. The district is home to Fort Hays State University and Barton Community College. This part of the state is noted for its oil production, as well as manufacturing and diversified farming and livestock operations. Besides the larger towns of Hays and Great Bend, our district is home to a dozen smaller but vibrant and friendly communities. The Cottonwood District has an exciting future with opportunities to become engaged in community partnerships. Come and make a difference alongside us!

Primary Area of Responsibility:
Extension District Director,
Community Vitality programming

Location:
Primary office is negotiable between Great Bend and Hays, KS.

Duties/ Responsibilities:

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

• Serve as the administrative leader of Cottonwood District’s budget and fiscal operations; personnel management of local staff; and overall program development and delivery. This position will also have programming responsibilities for community development and will provide support for local 4-H youth development programming.
• Lead the development, implementation, and evaluation of research-based educational programming to help our communities become a better place for Kansans to live, work, and play. This will be accomplished by engaging extension specialists, volunteers, and community partners in a comprehensive process to strengthen the social, civic, economic, and technological capacity of our communities.
• Programming may include: First Impressions; Kansas PRIDE; community health promotion; leadership development; entrepreneurship; grant writing and management; and local food systems.

• Programming will include these steps:
• a) Identify local needs and emerging issues related to K-State Research and Extension’s five Grand Challenges: (water, community vitality, health, developing tomorrow’s leaders and global food systems) by engaging with program development committees and other community organizations and professionals.
• b) Design appropriate educational strategies to engage clientele. These strategies might include delivering educational programming in a community-based setting, coordinating events and activities that provide experiential learning opportunities, using innovative technologies, providing individual educational consultations and facilitating groups seeking similar educational outcomes. Some overnight travel and evening and weekend work will be required.
• c) Develop and implement strategies to expand the reach of educational programming to under-served audiences and to make certain K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider of educational programming.
• d) Collect and communicate evidence of educational program impact.
• e) Develop specialized knowledge and skills by engaging as a member of a Program Focus Team.

• Secure external funding such as grants, gifts and cost recovery to supplement local tax revenue to support and expand educational programming.
• Serve as a member of the Cottonwood District Extension team cooperating in the planning and delivery of district-wide programming and related events.

What You'll Need to Succeed:

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.
• Demonstrated experience leading a team of professionals toward individual and group goals.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with individuals, groups, and through mass media.
• Experience managing fiscal responsibilities, including budget development, financial oversight, and securing of extramural funds.
• 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.
• 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.
• Experience with volunteer recruitment, support, and management.
• Skills in group facilitation.
• Knowledge of adult and youth teaching/learning processes.
• Ability to communicate effectively with both English and Spanish-speaking learners.

Other Requirements:

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

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, health and life insurance and vacation and sick leave. Depending on the date of hire there is a minimum of 30-day waiting period for health insurance. For a complete list of benefits see: http://www.k-state.edu/hcs/benefits/overview/
• Reimbursement for travel related to achieving program objectives.
• New agents are provided approximately 15 days of new agent professional development on the K-State campus or online during the first six to nine months. These 15 days are spread out in four different weeks. In addition, new agents spend at least three weeks with a mentor agent during the first year.
• Tuition assistance is available to full-time employees and their spouse/dependents

How to Apply:

Please submit the following documents:

• Cover Letter (detailing experiences related to responsibilities and qualifications)
• Resume
• Contact Information and Email addresses for three (3) professional references (include on application). References will be requested upon submission of application.
• Copy of academic transcripts showing degree(s) received. (For applicants still in college, a list of courses from the college/university website is acceptable.)

Applications will be accepted until November 15, 2022

Equal Employment Opportunity:

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.

Background Screening Statement:

In connection with your application for employment, Kansas State University will procure a Background Screen on you as part of the process of considering your candidacy as an employee.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $43,000.00 - $90,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Referral program
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday
• Weekend availability

COVID-19 considerations:
Kansas State University encourages all employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19. While the University is not under a vaccine requirement at this time, know that a requirement may be issued in the future which may require all employees to be vaccinated.

Work Location: One location

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