District Director, Community Vitality & Outreach

Search Details

• K-State Career #521527
• Final date to receive applications:
  June 1

• Service Area:
  Midway District (Ellsworth and Russell counties)
• Office
  
  Location:
  
  negotiable between Ellsworth and Russell, KS
• Title:
  
  District Director
• Primary Responsibility:
  Administrative Leadership
  • Program Focus:
    Community Vitality

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 administrative 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.
  • Assuming leadership for 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 local unit.
  • Sharing the impact of extension programs and initiatives with local partners and county and state leaders.
• Lead community vitality programming that helps our communities become better places 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.
• Support local 4-H youth development programming to empower youth through connection, learning, and leadership opportunities.
• Successful extension programs require agents to:
  • Identify local needs and emerging issues related to K-State 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.
  • 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 expertise in a competency area 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 Sunflower District team, cooperating in the planning and delivery of district-wide programming and related events.

This agent will serve the people of Midway District. The Midway Extension District has offices in Ellsworth and Russell, KS. The district director’s primary office is negotiable.

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

• Education:
  • Bachelor’s degree.
  • At least three years of supervisory experience.
  • Demonstrated academic and/or professional achievement (minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale or evidence…