Extension Program Assistant, Department of Plant Sciences: UTIA

The Program Assistant III will work under the direction of the Extension Agent/County Director. Responsible for teaching and creating curriculum for educational programs to youth, 3rd -12th grades, and adults regardless of age, race, color, national origin, sex, religion, disability or veteran status. Provide youth and adult audience with opportunities related to 4-H, Agricultural, and FCS endeavors that reflect positive life skill development. Train Program Assistant I and II employees. 

• Work cooperatively with all county Extension staff for the implementation and teaching of the program. Including creating curriculum for the program. Training level I and II program assistants.
• Assist Extension agents in planning monthly programs and provide leadership to County clientele. Classroom decisions pertaining to minor student disciplinary action and monthly program development.
• Assist with program member enrollment and reports, as well as prepare monthly program materials. Provides information/documentation for evaluation of impact regarding programs represented by Extension back to the department.
• Other appropriate duties as assigned by the Extension Agent/County Director. Recruitment of volunteers and future students in the 4-H program and teen leaders.

Required Qualifications:

• Education: 
  • High School diploma, GED or equivalent
• Experience: 
  • Minimum five years of related experience required and prior training experience.
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: 
  • The Program Assistant III is to have the ability of teaching prepared curriculum and preparing materials that support the program. 
  • Ability to create curriculum. 
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills needed. 
  • Ability to take charge of a classroom of children.  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Education: 
  • Associate's or Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Experience:  
  • More than 5 years of related experience and teaching experience. 2 or more years of supervisory and training experience
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: 
  • Experience & Training Skills
  • More than 5 years of related experience or teaching.

Work Location: 

• Location: UT Gardens, UTK, Knoxville, TN
• Onsite 

Compensation and Benefits:

• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
• Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions: 

To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments. To be assured of full consideration, completed applications with all requested materials should be submitted on or before October 10, 2025

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• List of 3 Professional References

About The College/Department/Division: 

• The Department of Plant Sciences, part of the Herbert College of Agriculture at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, addresses agricultural and environmental challenges through teaching, research, and Extension. We offer programs in plant sciences and landscape design, conduct research in crop production, genetics, plant physiology, and sustainable agriculture, and support growers and industry partners across Tennessee.

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees—the Volunteers—who uphold the university’s tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service. 
UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee’s flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy’s largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory. 
The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service.  
UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of dev