Decatur County Extension Director

life insurance, sick time, tuition assistance, retirement plan

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.

• Collaborate with local unit staff, board members, and others 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.
• Coordinate 4-H youth development programs for school-aged youth in cooperation with local community members and extension colleagues. Primary focus: youth development, adult volunteer development, youth education, membership growth, participation, and community partnership expansion. Programming includes community club support, out-of-school programs, school enrichment, volunteer management, and outreach to create program opportunities with new and existing community partners.
• Provide other research-based educational programming to support residents of Decatur County. Topics could include agriculture, natural resources, family and consumer sciences, and any other topics that would benefit the local families, businesses, and individuals.
• Successful extension programs require agents to:
  • Identify local needs and emerging issues related to KState Research and Extension's five critical issues 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 imperatives of the KState Next-Gen Strategic Plan.
  • 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 extension.k-state.edu.

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

4-H 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 4-H youth development extension agent(s), share their passions, skills and talents to empower youth to reach their full potential.

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