Decatur County Extension Director

Decatur County Extension Director 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.

• Collaborate with local unit staff, board members, and other partners to support local extension activities.
• Develop and manage the annual budget, secure extramural funding, submit financial reports, and review audits.
• Handle legal responsibilities of the local extension unit as directed by extension law.
• Supervise, coach, and evaluate local unit staff.
• Plan for office space, equipment, and technology needs.
• Work with the Extension Board, local stakeholders, area and state extension faculty, and other partners to develop comprehensive programming that addresses local issues.
• Develop and maintain 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 the community become a better place to live, work, and play, engaging extension specialists, volunteers, and community partners.
• Coordinate 4‑H youth development programs for school‑aged youth in cooperation with local community members and extension colleagues.
• Focus on youth development, adult volunteer development, youth education, membership growth and participation, and community partnership expansion, including program types such as community club support, out‑of‑school programs, school enrichment, volunteer management, and outreach.
• Provide research‑based educational programming to support residents of Decatur County on topics such as agriculture, natural resources, family and consumer sciences, and other local needs.
• Identify local needs and emerging issues related to K‑State 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 in alignment with the K‑State Next‑Gen Strategic Plan.
• Collaborate with local partners to meet community and programmatic needs.
• Recruit and manage volunteers to expand 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 opportunities to support educational programming.