Associate Dean/Director of UI Extension / CALS

Position Summary

This is a full time fiscal year tenured faculty appointment at the rank of full professor. While this role is 100% leadership, the position will hold rank and tenure status within an appropriate unit within the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. Rank and tenure will be awarded based on how the candidate meets requirements as outlined in the College and Unit bylaws.

About the Role

The Associate Dean/Director of University of Idaho Extension provides executive leadership for a comprehensive, statewide Extension system and serves as a senior member of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) leadership team. The position advances the University of Idaho's land-grant mission by ensuring the delivery of research-based outreach and education that improves the lives, livelihoods, and environments of Idahoans. This role has primary responsibility for strategic direction, fiscal stewardship, personnel oversight, and organizational performance across the statewide Extension system, including county and district offices, Research and Extension Centers, and statewide program units. The position ensures alignment of programs, staffing, and resources with CALS and University priorities.

University of Idaho Extension operates in all 44 counties and with three federally recognized tribes, with faculty and staff located statewide. Programs include agriculture, food systems, and natural resources; forestry, water, and environmental stewardship; youth development and workforce readiness; health, nutrition, and financial well-being; and community and economic development, all grounded in research and responsive to state and local needs. The Associate Dean/Director advances integration of Extension, research, and academic programs; leads strategic initiatives; and ensures that county Extension offices function as front-line delivery systems for research-based knowledge and as key engagement and student recruitment pathways connecting communities to the university.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic and Organizational Leadership
  • Provide leadership for UI Extension aligned with university, college, and federal priorities
  • Lead development and implementation of a statewide strategic plan
  • Oversee staffing, budget, operations, and compliance across county offices, research centers, and program units
  • Ensure effective allocation and management of resources
  • Promote organizational performance, accountability, and coordination across Extension, academic, and research units
• Program Leadership
  • Ensure delivery of high-quality, research-based Extension programs statewide
  • Provide leadership across program areas, including: agriculture and natural resources; forestry, water, and environmental systems; youth development and workforce readiness; health, nutrition, and financial well-being; and community and economic development
  • Establish and monitor evaluation metrics to demonstrate program impact and inform decisions
  • Ensure programs remain responsive to state and local needs
• Personnel Leadership
  • Supervise key Extension leaders and program staff, including district and program leadership
  • Lead recruitment, development, and retention efforts
  • Align performance expectations with strategic priorities
• External Engagement and Representation
  • Serve as primary spokesperson and advocate for UI Extension
  • Build and maintain partnerships with local governments, industry, and state and federal agencies
  • Represent Extension in university, state, regional, and national settings
  • Strengthen Extension's visibility and support external funding and partnerships
• Compliance and Institutional Responsibilities
  • Ensure adherence to university policies and applicable federal and state regulations
  • Support institutional priorities related to risk management, reporting, and accountability

Leadership Expectations

• Lead a complex, statewide organization with clarity and accountability
• Demonstrate strategic thinking and sound decision-making
• Foster collaboration and continuous improvement
• Maintain a strong focus on statewide impact and community engagement
• Operate effectively in a highly visible, stakeholder-driven environment

Required Qualifications

• Doctorate in a field relevant to Cooperative Extension, agricultural sciences, life sciences, natural resources, or a closely related discipline
• Eligibility for appointment at the rank of Full Professor
• Record of administrative leadership roles with increasing responsibility
• Documented experience in:
  • Strategic planning and implementation
  • Budget development and fiscal oversight
  • Supervision of personnel in a multi-unit or distributed organization
• Experience working within the Cooperative Extension System or comparable outreach-based system

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in Extension leadership at the state or regional level
• Experience securing and managing external funding and partnerships
• Experience working within county-based and statewide delivery systems
• Record of engagement across rural, frontier, and urban communities
• Participation in national or regional Extension organizations
• Articulated perspective on the role of Extension in a modern land-grant institution

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

• Ability to travel regularly across the state of Idaho
• Ability to work in office, community, and field-based environments
• Occasional evening and weekend commitments

Location

Can be located at any UI Research and Extension Center or UI Property in Idaho

Pay

Commensurate with Experience