Regional Community Vitality Extension Specialist

Kansas State University Extension Programs is seeking a Regional Community Vitality Extension Specialist focused on Community Coaching. Based in Phillipsburg at the Huck Boyd Community Center, this specialist will shape the regional coaching ecosystem by providing transformational leadership, strategic guidance, and technical support for Extension professionals, local units, coalitions, and community leaders. The specialist will serve as a connector between grassroots community efforts, local Extension offices, and campus partners.

They will champion evidence-informed coaching models that equip community organizations and emerging initiatives to build local capacity from grassroots beginnings through long-term organizational sustainability.

Establish and lead a specialized Community Coaching Team consisting of local unit agents, regional specialists, and campus partners to develop a robust, statewide coaching curriculum adhering to K-State publication standards.

Create practical, highly accessible community tools, diagnostic guides, and training modules designed for use by communities of varying capacity, including rural towns, underserved groups, and emerging coalitions.

In collaboration with system-wide volunteer specialists and local agents, design and lead structured professional development on volunteer recruitment, onboarding, retention, volunteer management, succession planning, and board/coalition leadership.

Apply and teach evidence-informed community development approaches, including appreciative inquiry, community capitals, and other asset-based frameworks.

Coach Extension professionals, community coalitions, and civic leaders through community assessment, visioning, goal setting, strategic planning, initiative implementation, evaluation, and long-term sustainability.

Partner directly with local Extension units through both in‑person and remote coaching to proactively identify and address regional programming gaps via stakeholder‑driven networks and localized initiatives.

Guide regional local units through all state‑level Community Vitality program rollouts, facilitation frameworks, and coalition‑building processes.

Facilitate and streamline the collection of community coaching data, utilizing Program Evaluation and Reporting System (PEARS) reporting alongside community feedback and stakeholder input to demonstrate measurable impact and continually refine programming.

Actively engage in regional and statewide networking to build multi‑sector collaborations and expand programming across the region.

Support local units and regional initiatives in building long‑term community ownership, leadership pipelines, cross‑sector partnerships, and organizational resilience.

Identify and pursue appropriate grant, partnership, and cost‑recovery opportunities that support sustainable programming, assisting local units with grant readiness and extramural proposal development.

Maintain active coaching credentials, participate in statewide Extension teams, and maintain a visible, engaged presence across regional communities.

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