River Valley Horticulture Extension Agent

About This Role

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 KState Extension (represented by a designated administrator) and the local extension board.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Lead the development, implementation, and evaluation of research-based educational programming related to horticulture. Programming may include but is not limited to: horticultural crop production, marketing, and economics; horticultural waste management; landscape maintenance and improvement; and conservation of natural resources.
• Share responsibility for 4H youth development programming related to horticulture and natural resources.
• Participate in 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 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 expertise in a subject matter competency area by engaging as a member of the Horticulture Program Focus Team.
• Pursue internal and external funding to support educational programming.
• Serve as a member of the River Valley District team, cooperating in the planning and delivery of district-wide programming and related events.

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 ate.edu.

Extension agents are Kansas State University faculty working throughout the state to serve the needs of local communities.

The River Valley Extension District is comprised of Clay, Cloud, Republic, and Washington counties in north-central Kansas along the Republican River Valley. It is a rural region with a combined population of approximately 27,000 residents in 32 communities. This agent will join eight other extension agents and eight support staff in providing educational programming in agriculture and natural resources; community development;

family and consumer sciences; and 4-H youth development.

This agent will serve the people of River Valley District. The River Valley Extension District has offices in Belleville, Clay Center, Concordia, and Washington. This agent's primary office will be negotiable between Clay Center and Washington, KS.

Work for this position is on site in the agreed-upon primary 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.

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 (e.g., consumer horticulture, landscape management, crop production).
• 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…