Sedgwick County Horticulture Extension Agent

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:

• Collaboratively lead the development, implementation, and evaluation of research-based educational programming related to horticulture. Programming topics may include but are not limited to: ornamental horticulture; turf management; pesticide selection and usage; soil health and management; landscape maintenance and improvement; composting; and conservation of natural resources. Common outreach methods include hosting in-person and digital events; providing consultations; doing media (TV and radio) appearances;
  
  and generating content/publications.
• Share leadership for Sedgwick County's Extension Master Gardener program, a team of nearly 375 extension-trained volunteers who provide horticultural education and service within their communities.
• Co-supervise Sedgwick County's full-time Master Gardener program coordinator and full-time agriculture/horticulture office professional.
• Share responsibility for youth programming related to horticulture. This will include 4-H youth development support and outreach activities at schools, fairs and community gardens.
• Support 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 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 Sedgwick County team, cooperating in the planning and delivery of county-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 at extension.k-state.edu.

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

Sedgwick Countyis in south-central Kansas.

Wichita is the county seat of Sedgwick County, which includes 19 other cities. The diversified urban, suburban, and rural population is over 500,000. Sedgwick County Extension's team of nine agents and approximately 15 support staff provide education and outreach related to family and consumer sciences, 4-H youth development, agriculture, horticulture and community vitality. Sedgwick County employs two horticulture extension agents who share responsibility for lawn care and gardening programs.

This agent will specialize in ornamental horticulture and collaborate with the county's food crop production horticulture agent.

This agent will serve the people of Sedgwick County. The Sedgwick County Extension office is in Wichita, KS.

Work for this position is on site in the Sedgwick County Extension office and at locations throughout the county.

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…