Southwind District Nutrition, Food Safety and Health Extension Agent

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 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 nutrition, food safety, and health. Programming may include but is not limited to: nutrition through the life cycle; supplemental nutrition education; food security; consumer and food handler food safety; local food systems; physical activity promotion; and chronic disease prevention.
• Share responsibility for 4-H youth development programming related to nutrition, food safety and health.
• 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 Grand Challenges (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 diverse audiences and to ensure K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider of educational programming.
  • Collect and communicate evidence of educational program impact.
  • Cultivate expertise in a subject matter competency area by engaging as a member of the Nutrition, Food Safety and Health Program Focus Team.
  
  
  
  
• Pursue internal and external funding to support educational programming.
• Serve as a member of the Southwind District team, cooperating in the planning and delivery of district-wide programming and related events.

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.

The Southwind District is comprised of Allen, Bourbon, Neosho and Woodson counties in southeast Kansas. There are extension offices in each county serving the district's combined population of 46,048. The district's staff consists of eight agents, two program assistants and four specialized office professionals. Southwind District is home to ten public school systems as well as Neosho County, Allen and Fort Scott community colleges.

This agent will serve the residents of Southwind District. The Southwind Extension District has offices in Erie, Fort Scott, Iola, and Yates Center, KS. This agent's primary office will be in Iola.

Work for this position is on site in the Southwind Extension District's Iola office and at locations throughout the district.

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

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 socioeconomic audiences; an interest in working with people from diverse backgrounds; and a commitment to supporting and enhancing K-State's initiative for diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule which will include nights, weekends, and overnight travel.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree.
• Registered dietitian, licensed nutritionist, Master of Public Health, or related certification.
• 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.
• Experience seeking and administering external grant funding.
• Ability to communicate effectively with both English and Spanish-speaking learners.

Other Requirements:

• 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.

Please submit the following documents:

• a cover letter,
• a resume,
• and a copy of academic transcripts showing degree(s) received.
  
  
  
  • An unofficial transcript is sufficient.
  
  
  
  

You will also be asked to provide the names and email addresses of three professional references.

Applications will be accepted until Feb 12.

• Salary commensurate with professional experience and available funding as negotiated by the regional extension director, the local extension board, and the applicant. The base starting salary is $46,000 for a bachelor's degree with no professional experience and $50,000 for a master's degree with no professional experience.
• 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.