Extension Learning and Development Program Director CS9612

Campus: OSU-Stillwater | Contact: Damona Doye, damona.doye@okstate.edu

About the Role

The Program Director of Extension Learning and Development (ELD) and Program and Staff Development Specialist is a new position to both lead and contribute to a new unit supporting the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service (OSU Extension). The role is expected to be a part-time (20 percent) administrative position, with the remaining 80 percent dedicated to supporting Extension faculty and staff in professional growth.

ELD will deliver comprehensive professional development experiences for faculty, educators, staff, and interns using virtual platforms and face-to-face meetings. The unit will also provide services for online course development and conference management to support Extension initiatives.

The Program Director will report to the Associate Vice President of OSU Extension and supervise personnel responsible for online course development, agricultural conference services, event management, and program and staff development. This is a 12-month staff position with a 100% Extension appointment contingent upon available funding.

Responsibilities

As part of the Associate Vice President's core management team, the Program Director will:

• Collaborate with program leaders (Assistant Directors in Agriculture, Natural Resources, Community Economic Development, Family and Consumer Sciences, and 4-H Youth Development) and District Extension Directors to determine timelines, training needs, support requirements, and standards.
• Work closely with OSU Agriculture’s Human Resources Director on personnel, civil rights, employee relations, customer service, and leadership issues.
• Partner with Department Heads, Unit Leaders, and Specialists to set priorities for in-service training and develop appropriate programs.
• Coordinate with Local Extension Directors for intern placement.
• Collaborate with IT, Communications, Digital, and other departments on technology for training support and management.
• Engage with volunteer development, evaluation, and reporting specialists in other units.
• Oversee existing programs, including:
  • Formal onboarding processes for new Extension educators, administrative assistants, and faculty.
  • Mentoring for new educators.
  • Annual in-service training calendar.
  • Career ladder process for educators and area/district specialists.
  • Scholarships and tuition waiver programs.
  • Summer intern program and undergraduate Extension scholar program.
  • Annual awards.
  • Biennial conferences for Extension, County Extension Directors (CED), and administrative assistants.
  • Triennial Leadership Academy for county personnel.
  • New CED and administrative support staff onboarding as needed.
• Manage existing services, including online course development and agricultural conference services, and support new initiatives such as the "all volunteer" conference launched in 2026.

Requirements

• Master's degree in agricultural and extension education, leadership development, program development, or a closely related discipline (must be conferred on or before the agreed-upon start date).
• Five or more years of successful county/district/area or state Extension experience or related experience.
• Demonstrated ability and desire to:
  • Develop and participate in highly functioning teams.
  • Teach effectively using a variety of instructional strategies, including distance and online technologies.
  • Communicate the public value of Extension to key policymakers.
  • Develop positive and productive relationships with colleagues and external audiences.
  • Secure grant funding.
  • Supervise staff.
• A strong commitment to Extension, professional development, and advancing the collective leadership and educational capacity of OSU Extension personnel.
• Support for the land-grant mission and OSU core values of excellence, inclusion, and accountability.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation for travel connected with official duties (reimbursement provided).

Skills and Knowledge

• Knowledge of adult education principles and program planning processes.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse professional and lay audiences.
• Strong communication skills for conveying ideas to faculty, stakeholder groups, and clientele.
• Ability to obtain and interpret research information.
• Ability to anticipate changing trends and develop programs to address them.
• Physical and mental ability to perform job duties, including long and irregular hours and frequent travel.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. or Ed.D. in agricultural and extension education, leadership development, program development, or a closely related discipline.
• Prior leadership experience for a unit.

Pay

Hiring range: $65,000 - $90,000

Schedule

Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, with occasional evenings and weekends.

Benefits

Explore benefits and eligibility at OSU HR Prospective Employees.