County Extension Director

Auburn University•Carrollton, AL

About The Position

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES), Auburn University, seeks a County Extension Director to provide leadership and oversee county-level programs serving the citizens of Pickens County. The Director builds partnerships and collaborates with multiple entities to deliver research-based educational opportunities that benefit individuals and communities. As a community-based ACES professional, the Director represents resources available through Alabama A&M University and Auburn University and works to address local challenges, issues, and opportunities through university programs and knowledge. The position leads county program initiatives and office operations, supports educational programming across ACES program areas, and serves as the system’s primary county representative. The Director supervises and develops county office staff, manages the county budget and local support relationships, coordinates program assessment and reporting, and builds partnerships and public engagement. The position maintains a subject-matter emphasis in one of four major program areas and contributes to the County 4-H Team.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a discipline related to extension programming, plus 7 years of experience in teaching and delivering educational programs and experience with fiscal management and business operations; and 3 years of experience supervising full-time employees or completion of both the Leading Self and Leading People Leadership Programs, or equivalent.
OR a master’s degree in a discipline related to extension programming, plus 5 years of experience in teaching and delivering educational programs and experience with fiscal management and business operations; and 1 year of experience supervising full-time employees or completion of both the Leading Self and Leading People Leadership Programs, or equivalent.
Experience leading others or completion of broad leadership training.
Experience managing budgets.
Exceptional communication, managerial, and leadership skills.
Strong work ethic and sense of responsibility.
High degree of objectivity.
Effective interpersonal and written communication skills.
Ability to work successfully with staff, volunteers, community leaders, and county officials.
Excellent public relations skills and ability to connect local program needs with the ACES mission.
Collaborative work style; ability to engage and motivate others; positive attitude, enthusiasm, self-starting ability, and capacity to work with minimum supervision.
Ability to act creatively, confidentially, and professionally with people from diverse educational and cultural backgrounds.
Ability to take initiative, work independently, and manage multiple projects.
Demonstrated leadership competencies, including servant leadership experience.
High motivation and effective organizational management.
Valid driver’s license required upon hire.
Driving is a required function; must have access to reliable transportation.

Responsibilities

Learn major programs and resources across Agriculture, Forestry, Natural Resources, Human Sciences, 4-H, and Community & Economic Development, and engage in serving traditional and new audiences.
Develop leadership and engagement skills for working with communities across a broad range of issues.
Serve as a member of the County 4-H Team and provide administrative and programmatic support.
Maintain a subject-matter emphasis in one of four major program areas and participate in the appropriate Priority Program Team.
Participate in professional development related to educational programming, county office administration, customer service, and public relations and marketing.
Represent ACES as its primary county representative and promote customer service.
Recruit, hire, supervise, develop, mentor, and assess the performance of administrative support staff, agent assistants, 4-H Extension Agents, and potentially other administrative or temporary staff.
Manage daily office operations, including staffing, scheduling, office culture, and teamwork.
Administer the county budget and work with County Commissions and municipalities to secure local support for office space, utilities, equipment, and program supplies.
Ensure compliance with laws, statutes, and University policies governing public funds and program implementation.
Implement and promote EEO, ADA, Civil Rights, and other affirmative action policies and procedures in the office and county community.
Lead county program initiatives and develop a balanced, comprehensive county plan of work, including some program delivery related to the Director’s subject-matter emphasis.
Model innovative and creative approaches to program development and delivery.
Organize a County Extension Advisory Committee and lead analysis of stakeholder input to assess needs.
Meet regularly with colleagues across the region to share needs-assessment results, coordinate programs, and establish priorities and initiatives.
Coordinate and communicate with Extension Agents, State Extension Specialists, and appropriate Assistant Directors for Programs and Field Operations, while maintaining positive working relationships with regional and Priority Program Team staff and clients.
Manage local data collection and prepare evaluations and success stories addressing short-, intermediate-, and long-term program outcomes and impacts.
Build relationships with local stakeholder groups, organizations, and agencies, and serve as an ACES ambassador.
Manage program finances and resources appropriately and submit required system reports on time.
Secure volunteers, contracts, grants, fees, and donations to support local and priority programs, and potentially participate in grant-funded projects led by State Extension Specialists.
Use face-to-face, print, online, and digital delivery methods to increase audience access and convenience.
Serve as the primary contact for traditional and social media, disseminate information, market programs, and maintain a professional media presence.
Identify innovative ways to engage under-served and under-represented audiences.
Build program partnerships and networks to increase organizational capacity.