?Pottawatomie County? ?Agriculture and Natural Resources? 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 K-State Extension (represented by a designated administrator) and the local extension board.

About the Role

Lead the development, implementation, and evaluation of research-based educational programming related to agriculture and natural resources. Programming may include but is not limited to: agronomy; livestock production; agricultural economics, management, and public policy; horticultural production and management; and natural resources conservation and environmental stewardship.

• Manage Pottawatomie County's Extension Master Gardener (EMG) program, a team of approximately 15 extension-trained volunteers who provide horticultural education and service within their communities. This will entail directing all EMG activities, while ensuring alignment with K-State Extension's priorities, Pottawatomie County needs, and statewide EMG guidelines.
• Share responsibility for 4-H youth development programming related to agriculture and natural resources such as youth livestock and agricultural safety programs.
• Share responsibility for community vitality programming that helps 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 and professionals.
• 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 subject matter 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 Pottawatomie County team, cooperating in the planning and delivery of county-wide programming and related events.
• May periodically be assigned to serve as the local unit director providing administrative oversight for fiscal operations; coordination of personnel; the development, delivery, and reporting of program impact; and other administrative functions assigned by the director for extension's representative and the extension board.

About Us

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.

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

Pottawatomie County covers 862 mi² and includes a mix of rural communities, small towns, and rapidly developing suburban areas near Manhattan and Wamego. The county is comprised of more than a dozen communities, including: Wamego (largest city), Westmoreland (county seat), St. George, St. Marys, Onaga, Olsburg, Havensville, and others. Pottawatomie County has a significant agricultural sector, with 820 farms producing soybeans, corn, forage, wheat, and cattle. The county's extension staff consists of three agents, an office professional, and a program assistant.

Worksite

Work for this position is on-site in the Westmoreland office.