Associate Extension Agent, Agriculture & Natural Resources - Chesterfield County

Virginia Tech • Chesterfield, VA

23h • $50,000 - $65,000

About The Position

Chesterfield County, located just outside Richmond, Virginia, is home to more than 340,000 residents and maintains over 20,000 acres of farmland and forest production. The Extension Agent, Agriculture & Natural Resources, provides current, research-based education to strengthen agricultural sustainability, environmental stewardship, and urban food system resilience within the county. This position places a strong emphasis on applied education and workforce development through the Chesterfield Extension Plant Lab, which serves as a central hub for community education, youth workforce preparation, and hands-on agricultural learning. The agent will oversee plant lab operations, integrate the facility into Extension programming, and develop school-based apprenticeship and work-based learning opportunities in partnership with Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs and local schools. The agent builds relationships with agri-businesses, community leaders, and local, state, and federal partners to address agricultural and natural resource challenges. Educational programming focuses on soil and water conservation, urban nutrient management, Chesapeake Bay protection, urban agriculture, climate-smart practices, and pollinator health. The ANR Agent also contributes to community preparedness, agricultural disaster response, and urban economic development initiatives that strengthen local food systems and environmental resilience.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree (BA or BS) in agriculture, agronomy, horticulture, natural resources, biology, environmental science, or a related field from an accredited institution.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, implement, and evaluate educational programs.
• Experience working with volunteers, youth, or community-based audiences.
• Strong communication and presentation skills with ability to engage broad audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to use technology for educational programming and program management.
• Ability to work independently while contributing to team-based initiatives.
• Flexibility, adaptability, and commitment to client success.
• The person in the position is expected to travel to provide in-person leadership and to build community partnerships with few exceptions for telework.
• Virginia Tech is unable to sponsor applicants for work visas for this vacancy.

Nice To Haves

• Background in plant pathology or plant diagnostics.
• Master’s degree in agriculture, natural resources, or related field (required within six years if hired with a bachelor’s degree).
• Experience in Cooperative Extension or community outreach education.
• Familiarity with Virginia agricultural and local food systems.
• Experience managing an applied learning or plant production facility.
• Experience supervising youth interns or workforce training programs.

Responsibilities

• oversee plant lab operations
• integrate the facility into Extension programming
• develop school-based apprenticeship and work-based learning opportunities in partnership with Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs and local schools
• builds relationships with agri-businesses, community leaders, and local, state, and federal partners to address agricultural and natural resource challenges
• contributes to community preparedness, agricultural disaster response, and urban economic development initiatives that strengthen local food systems and environmental resilience.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees