Extension Learning and Development Program Director CS9612

Oklahoma State University•Stillwater, OK

7d•$65,000 - $90,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Program Director of Extension Learning and Development (ELD) and Program and Staff Development Specialist is a new position to both lead and contribute to a new unit to support the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service (OSU Extension) in its work. The Program Director role is expected to be a part-time (20 percent) administrative position with other responsibilities contributing directly to the mission of the ELD unit in supporting Extension faculty and staff in professional growth (80 percent). ELD will be responsible for delivering an up-to-date comprehensive faculty, educator, staff, and intern professional development experiences that use a combination of virtual platforms and face-to-face meetings with appropriate training materials to accomplish onboarding, in-service training, mentoring, leadership and professional development objectives. In addition, the unit will offer services for on-line course development and conference management to support Extension initiatives. The Program Director will report to the Associate Vice President of the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service (OSU Extension) and will supervise Extension personnel with responsibilities in online course development, agricultural conference services and event management, and program and staff development. This is a 12-month staff position with a 100% Extension appointment contingent upon available funding. As a part of the Associate Vice President's core management team, the Program Director will work closely with program leaders--the Assistant Director, Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Community Economic Development; the Assistant Director, Family and Consumer Sciences; and the Assistant Director, 4-H Youth Development-- and District Extension Directors to determine timelines, training needs, support requirements and standards. Other close working relationships will include: OSU Agriculture’s Human Resources Director on issues related to personnel, human resources, civil rights, employee relations, customer service and leadership Department Heads, other Unit Leaders and Specialists to set priorities for in-service training and to develop appropriate training Local Extension Directors to place interns IT, Communications, Digital and other departments on use of technology for training support and management Volunteer development and evaluation and reporting specialists in other units Administrative assistant to the Associate Vice President. Existing programs in program and staff development include: formal onboarding processes for new Extension educators, administrative assistants and faculty; mentoring for new educators; annual in-service training calendar; a career ladder process for educators and area/district specialists; scholarships and tuition waiver programs; summer intern program; undergraduate Extension scholar program; annual awards; biennial conferences for Extension, County Extension Directors (CED) and administrative assistants; triennial Leadership Academy for county personnel; new CED and administrative support staff onboarding as needed. Existing services include online course development and agricultural conference services. A new “all volunteer” conference has been launched in 2026. OSU Extension is the outreach arm of Oklahoma State University. For more than a century, we have connected Oklahomans to practical research-based information to help them make decisions to benefit them, their families, their businesses and their communities. Extension serves clientele in the areas of agriculture, family and consumer sciences, 4-H, community economic development and health. 4-H programming leads to positive youth development while other programs help Oklahomans address local issues and concerns, promote leadership and manage resources wisely. OSU Extension employs more than 500 faculty, professional, and support staff. Extension Educators are the "front door" to the University, providing a link between OSU and the people of the state in all 77 Oklahoma counties. Together we make a difference in the lives of Oklahomans. To find out more, explore OSU Extension at https://extension.okstate.edu Explore a career with the Oklahoma Extension. Join our team and make a difference in the lives of Oklahomans! Who Are We: https://extension.okstate.edu/about-us.html Why OSU Extension: https://extension.okstate.edu/extension-careers.html OSU Agriculture: https://agdivision.okstate.edu/ There are lots of great reasons to work at OSU, check out our great benefits and eligibility at https://hr.okstate.edu/prospective-ee.html

Requirements

Master's in agricultural and extension education, leadership development, program development, or a closely related discipline (degree must be conferred on or before agreed upon start date).
5 or more years of successful county/district/area or state Extension experience or related experience.
Demonstrated ability and desire to develop and participate in highly functioning teams.
Demonstrated ability and desire to teach effectively using a variety of instructional strategies including distance and online technologies.
Demonstrated ability and desire to effectively communicate the public value of Extension to key policymakers.
Demonstrated ability and desire to develop positive and productive relationships with colleagues and external audiences.
Demonstrated ability and desire to secure grant funding.
Demonstrated supervisor experience.
Strong commitment to Extension, Extension professional development, and the advancement of the collective leadership and educational capacity of OSU Extension personnel.
Supportive of the land-grant mission and OSU core values of excellence, inclusion, and accountability.
Valid Driver's License.
Reliable transportation for travel connected with official duties.
Knowledge of the principles and techniques of adult education and program planning processes.
Ability to work effectively with a variety of professional and lay audiences.
Ability to communicate and convey ideas effectively to faculty, stakeholder groups, and clientele.
Ability to obtain and interpret research information.
Ability to anticipate changing trends and develop programs to address those changes.
Physical and mental ability to effectively perform the duties and responsibilities of the job, including long and irregular hours of work and frequent travel.

Nice To Haves

Ph.D./Ed.D. in agricultural and extension education, leadership development, program development, or a closely related discipline.
Prior leadership experience for a unit.

Responsibilities

Lead and contribute to a new unit to support the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service (OSU Extension) in its work.
Deliver comprehensive faculty, educator, staff, and intern professional development experiences using virtual platforms and face-to-face meetings.
Develop and manage training materials for onboarding, in-service training, mentoring, leadership, and professional development.
Offer services for online course development and conference management.
Supervise Extension personnel in online course development, agricultural conference services and event management, and program and staff development.
Work closely with program leaders and District Extension Directors to determine timelines, training needs, support requirements, and standards.
Collaborate with OSU Agriculture’s Human Resources Director on personnel, human resources, civil rights, employee relations, customer service, and leadership issues.
Set priorities for in-service training and develop appropriate training with Department Heads, other Unit Leaders, and Specialists.
Coordinate with Local Extension Directors to place interns.
Liaise with IT, Communications, Digital, and other departments on the use of technology for training support and management.
Work with volunteer development and evaluation and reporting specialists in other units.
Support the administrative assistant to the Associate Vice President.