Sunflower District Extension Director

Extension’s mission is to improve Kansans’ lives, livelihoods and communities with research-based education and outreach. This position provides financial, personnel, administrative and programmatic leadership for the Sunflower Extension District.

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.
• Deliver educational programming related to family and community wellness. This will entail leading the development, implementation, and evaluation of research-based educational programming to build healthy, sustainable communities, families, and individuals. Programming will be conducted with volunteers and extension colleagues to strengthen families and individuals; build community capacity; promote individual and community health and wellness; and lead volunteer development.
• Support local 4‑H youth development programming to empower Wallace County youth through connection, learning, and leadership opportunities.
• Share responsibility for 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 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 Sunflower District. The Sunflower Extension District has offices in Goodland, Sharon Springs and St. Francis. This agent’s primary office will be in Sharon Springs, KS.

Work for this position is on site in the Wallace County 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…