Extension Agent - Chester County

Penn State University

21h • Onsite

About The Position

The Extension Agent provides locally based support for agricultural production and community engagement in Chester County, expanding Penn State Extension’s capacity to deliver educational programming, provide farm-level technical assistance, and build strong professional networks across the Commonwealth. The Agent will focus on animal and plant production systems, with an emphasis on livestock and mushroom production, and will serve as a visible representative of Penn State Extension. Given the region's diverse agricultural workforce, strong Spanish-speaking skills are highly desirable to effectively engage and communicate with Spanish-speaking producers and farm employees. The position is supported by a statewide network of Extension Educators and faculty and utilizes contemporary technology to deliver educational programs and technical assistance. This position is funded for 1 year(s); continuation past 1 year(s) will be based on university need, performance, and/or availability of funding.

Requirements

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating within a team environment.
• Willingness to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, as needed.
• Bachelor's Degree
• No prior relevant work experience required; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted
• None Required Certifications
• Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.
• This position requires that you operate a motor vehicle as a part of your job duties. A valid driver’s license and successful completion of a motor vehicle records check will be required in addition to standard background checks.
• Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in plant pathology, entomology, animal science, agricultural science, or a closely related field.
• Preferred fluency in English and Spanish, both written and oral.
• Knowledge of livestock production systems and mushroom production systems.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a visible representative and brand ambassador for Penn State Extension within the local community.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with agricultural producers, agribusinesses, community organizations, elected officials, and local partners.
• Attend and participate in relevant local meetings, events, and activities to promote Extension programs and services.
• Identify emerging agricultural issues and communicate local needs to Extension program teams.
• Serve as Penn State Extension’s representative on County Fair Boards, as assigned.
• Coordinate, implement, and support educational programs related to agricultural production and animal science, including meetings, workshops, clinics, tours, shows, roundups, and youth programs.
• Support State Program Team members with local program delivery in the assigned county.
• Assist with in-person, online, and webinar-based educational programming.
• Promote Extension programs using professional networks and community partnerships.
• Respond to client inquiries by providing information, referrals, and coordination with appropriate Extension resources.
• Provide individualized technical assistance to agricultural producers under the guidance of Extension Educators and faculty.
• Maintain working knowledge of Penn State agricultural analytical services and insect and plant diagnostic laboratories, including sample submission and interpretation of results.
• Develop competency in providing support related to biosecurity, nutrient management, farm management, farm safety, and other production agriculture topics through training and supervised experience.
• Serve as Penn State Extension’s county-level emergency support liaison for agricultural and biosecurity-related incidents.
• Coordinate with county emergency management, state agencies, and Extension leadership to support agricultural response and recovery efforts during emergencies.
• Respond to biosecurity concerns related to county fairs, roundups, and district and state animal exhibitions.
• Assist producers in writing and implementing biosecurity plans on their farms.
• Support 4-H programming by assisting with county roundups (fair), skillathons, and/or coaching dairy/livestock judging and knowledge bowl teams.
• Support farm families by assisting with educational programs related to farm stress, healthy living, and food safety.
• Participate in required training and ongoing professional development activities.
• Join and actively participate in relevant Extension program teams.
• Collaborate with local Extension staff, Educators, and faculty to enhance program effectiveness and visibility.

Benefits

• comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• robust retirement plans
• substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time
• generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees