Pottawatomie County Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agent

Pottawatomie County Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agent

Kansas State
University

About This Role

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 KâEUR’State Extension (represented by a designated administrator) and the local extension board.

• 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 KâEUR’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 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 KâEUR’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 KâEUR’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. 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.

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 Description

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

All employees must reside in the United States when they begin working to comply with state law.
K-State is unable to provide remote or hybrid work opportunities for residents of the state of Idaho.

What You’ll Need to
Succeed

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree.
• At least 12 credit hours of academic
  coursework or six months of professional experience related directly to the primary programming responsibilities (e.g., agricultural
  education, livestock production, agronomy, horticulture).
• Demonstrated academic and/or professional achievement (minimum cumulative
  GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale or evidence of progressively responsible professional roles).
• Experience delivering information,
  training, or education to groups or individuals, either in person or through media.
• Leadership experience in supervisory or informal
  roles.

Licenses and certifications:

• Must have access to a personal vehicle and the ability to obtain/maintain a
  valid driver’s license.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Two or more years of professional
  experience.
• Master’s degree.
• Understanding of educational program design, promotion, implementation, and
  evaluation.
• Experience with volunteer recruitment, support, and management.
• Knowledge of adult and youth teaching/learning
  processes.
• Experience seeking and administering external grant funding.

Skills and attributes:

• Commitment
  to personal and professional development.
• Competence using electronic communication and computer applications to fulfill programming
  responsibilities.
• Self-motivation and ability to work with minimal supervision while balancing multiple projects.
• Skills in
  group facilitation.
• Ability to communicate effectively with both English and Spanish-speaking learners.

Additional
Role Information:

• This role will require the ability to work with people from various backgrounds and a commitment to
  supporting and enhancing KâEUR’State’s initiative for access and opportunity.
• Extension agents work a flexible schedule which will
  include nights, weekends, and overnight travel.

Sponsorship eligibility:

Candidates must be legally
authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship

How to Apply

Please
submit the following documents:

• Cover letter
• Resume
• a copy of academic transcripts showing degree(s)
  received
• An unofficial transcript is sufficient You will be asked to provide the names and email addresses of three professional
  references.

Application Window

Applications close on: September 9, 2026

Interviews will
be held September 23, 2026.

Anticipated Hiring Pay
Range

$47,500-$70,000

Salary, benefits, and professional development:

• Salary
  commensurate with professional experience and available funding as negotiated by the regional extension director, the local extension board,
  and the applicant. The anticipated hiring salary range is $47,500-$70,000.
• Extension agents are Kansas State
  University educators and have the Board of Regents retirement plan; eligibility for health and life insurance; and earn vacation and sick
  leave. See a complete list
  of benefits.
• Reimbursement for travel related to achieving program objectives.
• New agents will be provided with
  comprehensive Early Career Professional Development training throughout their onboarding period. This series will include virtual and
  in-person training and networking opportunities.
• Tuition assistance is available to full-time employees and their spouse/dependents.
  To apply, please visit: https://careers.k-state.edu/jobs/pottawatomie-county-agriculture-and-natural-resources-extension-agent-ot
  her-kansas-united-states

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