Regional Extension Director (Eastern Region)

TITLE: Regional Extension Director (Eastern Region)                                                                            

DEPARTMENT: Cooperative Extension

EFFECTIVE DATE:  TBD

CLASSIFICATION:  Staff-12 months

LOCATION: Breathitt County, Kentucky                                                       

STANDARD WORK HOURS: 37.5

EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Full-time                                            

EMPLOYMENT CLASSIFICATION: Exempt

Internal Candidates are Encouraged to Apply

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States. At this time, Kentucky State University is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa

PRINCIPAL PURPOSE OF JOB: The Regional Extension Director (Eastern) provides leadership for Kentucky State University Cooperative Extension county-based Extension staff in a comprehensive, multidisciplinary, issue-based Extension program in the assigned region. The Regional Extension Director applies a broad perspective and understanding of priority issues impacting limited resource individuals, families, and communities to recruit, train, and evaluate county Extension agents and paraprofessionals in collaboration with the area and regional directors.  The Regional Extension Director serves as the primary contact person working with the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Regional Extension Directors, Area Extension Directors, District Extension Boards, and County Extension Council. The Regional Extension Director will report to the Associate Extension Administrator.   

SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITY: This position leads staff in the assigned region with county-assessed Extension directors to ensure the needs of limited resource populations are being addressed through programs offered by Cooperative Extension at Kentucky State University. Supervise and monitor progress and performance of county-based Extension agents in the Eastern region. Coordinates the planning, design implementation, and evaluation of county, multi-county and regional Extension programs in cooperation with county and district directors, state program leaders, and other appropriate personnel at the land-grant universities. Ensures the development of innovative, high-quality programs that reflect the needs of limited resource audiences by guiding county-based Extension agents in the programming process.  

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: 

1. Increase the number of Extension professionals within the eastern region of Kentucky.
2. Manage  and mentor county-based Extension agents in program development, implementation, and evaluation, conduct count analysis reporting, 
3. Identify potential new locations for county-based staff.
4. Approve county-based Extension agents’ Plan of Work and conduct performance evaluations.
5. Identify county-based Extension agents concerning staff relationships, morale, budget, and professional development and work with the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension, KSU Extension and Research Advisory Council members, District Boards, and County Councils.
6. Routinely meet with county-based Extension agents and conduct a minimum of two county site visits annually along with virtual meetings.
7. Attend and provide updates at Extension leadership team meetings, quarterly Extension meetings, administrative and district meetings.
8. Attend and participate in various state and county stakeholder groups such as but not limited to the following: Cattlemen’s group, Ky Horticulture council, Ky Sheep Council, Ky Farm Bureau, Ky Maple producers, and County Agricultural Investment Program. 
9. Attend and participate in the Middle Managers Southern Regional Meeting.
10. Provides monthly updates to the Extension Administrator.
11. Ensures that county-based Extension agents share Extension programs, journal articles, and fact sheets with stakeholders.
12. Serve on committees for the university, stakeholder groups, and professional associations.
13. Ensures county-based Extension agents’ trainings and relevant educational materials reach stakeholders in a timely manner.
14. Teach/Educate county-based Extension agents on the Kentucky Extension Reporting System (KERS).

OTHER DUTIES: The position will conduct other duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS: Extension education, agriculture, family and consumer science, public administration, or related field. Master’s degree or doctoral degree in agriculture, business administration,