County Extension Director

The County Extension Director serves as a regular, full‑time, 12‑month academic professional staff member with primary responsibility for providing leadership to and communicating the educational mission of the local multi‑county unit and University of Illinois Extension. The primary responsibilities of the County Extension Director include local program management, personnel management, interpersonal effectiveness, organizational leadership and development, fiscal management, and facilities management.

• Provide administrative supervision of all unit staff including educators and civil service employees.
• Ensure that job descriptions are developed and that annual performance appraisals of academic and non‑academic staff in the unit are held and documented. Performance evaluations of academic staff will be a shared responsibility with Regional Directors and/or Program Leaders.
• Participate in the County Director professional development program offerings and seek additional opportunities to maintain professional competence.
• Facilitate the professional development of all staff in the unit.
• Assist and collaborate with unit staff to develop a plan for recruitment, training, support and recognition of volunteers.
• Implement and comply with University of Illinois and Extension policies and rules, federal and state personnel regulations, and labor contracts.
• Ensure compliance with University of Illinois Extension Civil Rights, affirmative action plan and equal employment opportunity program.
• Ensure onboarding of all new staff in the unit.
• Conduct staff and unit team meetings as appropriate to enhance team performance.

• Prepare budget, operate within budget guidelines, assure funds are distributed in accordance with fiscal policies and requirements and oversee all grants to the unit.
• Maintain official records and documents, and ensure compliance with University of Illinois and Extension policies and reporting requirements.
• Work with the Extension Council, other volunteers and local entities to educate stakeholders of the value of University of Illinois Extension’s programs in order to secure financial resources for the unit.
• Ensure that adequate funds are available to meet the financial and human resource goals of the unit.

• Provide leadership in securing adequate field office facilities, including off‑site facilities as necessary.
• Ensure Extension offices and program delivery sites meet ADA requirements and other related guidelines.
• Manage the unit office facilities, including relations with the lessor and lease negotiation.
• Procure and maintain equipment inventory and supplies.

• Determine appropriate networks and legislative contacts to build effective communications about Extension’s mission with key individuals and groups within the unit.
• Communicate and identify in‑service needs for all employee groups in the unit and make recommendations to the Regional Director for appropriate training.
• Effectively communicate program initiative concerns to Program Leaders and Regional Directors.
• Communicate to the Regional Director the success of unit leadership and the challenges within the unit.
• Effectively work to resolve conflicts constructively and implement positive solutions to challenges.
• Maintain effective communication about the unit regarding program, fiscal and personnel management with the Regional Director.
• Respond to all forms of communication in a timely manner.

• Work with staff and stakeholders to assess local needs and identify program priorities within the unit using data.
• Ensure inclusion of all audiences to achieve parity while strengthening relationships with existing clientele.
• Demonstrate support of statewide initiatives by working with Program Leaders and unit staff in needs assessment, program planning, implementation and evaluation.
• Work with Regional Directors, Program Leaders and unit staff to develop new unit level programs and improve existing programs.
• Provide initiatives and opportunities to further interdisciplinary program planning and development in the unit.
• Provide program impact results to local…