Sheridan County Extension Director

Extension agents are professional educators, community connectors and innovators who serve as a link between Kansas State University and communities across Kansas. Agents (including county directors) are jointly responsible to the director of KState Extension (represented by a designated administrator) and the local extension board.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Collaborate with 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 local unit staff.
  • Planning for office space, equipment, and technology.
  • Working with the Extension Board; local stakeholders; area 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 county.
  
  
  
  
• Lead the development, implementation and evaluation of research-based educational programming to help our community become a better place 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.
• Provide 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.
• Implement 4-H youth development programs for school-aged youth in cooperation with local community members and extension colleagues. The primary focus of this position is youth development, along with adult volunteer development; youth education; membership growth and participation; and community partnership expansion. Programming will include but is not limited to: community club support, out-of-school programs, school enrichment, volunteer management, and outreach to create program opportunities with new and existing community partners.
• Successful extension programs require agents to:
  
  
  
  • Identify local needs and emerging issues related to KState 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 KState 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.

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 ksre.kstate.edu.

4H provides school-aged youth with community, mentors, and learning opportunities to develop the skills they need to create positive change in their lives and communities. It is a research-based experience that helps kids and teens thrive through connection, learning, service and leadership opportunities. Adult volunteers, managed by their local 4H youth development extension agent(s), share their passions, skills and talents to empower youth to reach their full potential. Learn more about Kansas 4H at kansas4h.org.

Extension agents (including county extension directors) are Kansas State University faculty working throughout the state to serve the needs of local communities.

Sheridan County is in northwest Kansas. The county is comprised of Angelus, Hoxie, Seguin, Selden, and Studley. Hoxie is the county seat and home to the Sheridan County Extension office. A team of one extension agent and one office professional will serve the county's nearly 2,500 residents. This agent will lead the Sheridan County 4-H program, which has three community clubs with approximately 60 members. They will also support the health and wellbeing of county residents and promote community vitality efforts.

This agent will serve the people of Sheridan County. The Sheridan County Extension office is in Hoxie, KS.

Work for this position is on site in the Sheridan 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. Reimbursement for travel and subsistence related to achieving program objectives will be provided.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education and experience

• Bachelor's degree*.
• At least 12 credit hours of academic coursework or six months of professional experience related directly to the primary programming responsibilities.
• Demonstrated academic and/or professional achievement (minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale or evidence of progressively responsible professional roles).
• Experience delivering information, training, or education to groups or individuals, either in person or through media.
• Leadership experience in supervisory or informal roles.

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 KState'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.

*The degree requirement is necessary to ensure candidates possess the specialized knowledge and skills for the role and can credibly convey research concepts required to deliver extension services. These competencies are typically developed and validated only through a formal degree.

Preferred Qualifications:

Education and experience

• Two or more years of professional experience.
• Master's degree.
• Previous supervisory experience.
• Experience managing fiscal responsibilities, including budget development, financial oversight, and securing extramural funds.
• Education or experience in family and consumer sciences.
• Experience working with youth across multiple age groups in both formal and informal settings.
• 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.

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 Wednesday, January 21.

• 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.
• 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.