Southwest Washington Regional Director

Washington State University • Longview, WA

17h • Hybrid

About The Position

The Southwest (SW) Washington Region includes Clark, Cowlitz, Lewis, Pacific, Thurston, and Wahkiakum counties, an area with diverse communities, strong local economies, and significant natural resources. From coastal industries in Pacific County to agricultural and forestry activities in Lewis and Wahkiakum counties, to the growing urban corridor of Thurston and Clark counties to rural communities across the region, this area reflects a wide range of needs and opportunities. In this region Washington State University (WSU) Extension maintains strong partnerships with county governments, tribal nations, natural resource organizations, educational institutions, including WSU Vancouver campus, producers, and community groups. The Southwest Region offers a dynamic environment for supporting Extension programming across agriculture, natural resources, 4‑H youth development, community and economic development, and family and consumer sciences. Regional leadership requires the ability to collaborate with diverse stakeholders and respond to the varied priorities of communities that differ in geography, population, and local context. As the Regional Director for Washington State University (WSU) Extension, you work in partnership to provide strategic leadership, operational oversight, and collaborative engagement across multiple county offices within your assigned region. In this role, you ensure alignment with WSU Extension’s mission, vision, and goals; you foster strong partnerships with local and tribal governments and other stakeholders; and you support a cohesive, effective team of Extension professionals. You also play a key role in guiding program development, ensuring fiscal and operational compliance, and fostering an environment of innovation and excellence in service to communities. To be successful in this position, you are expected to reside in, or in a location contiguous to, the defined region to accommodate regular (weekly) travel within the region. Your home office location will be within the region at a site to be negotiated with you as the selected candidate.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and six (6) years of progressively responsible relevant experience, which has included at least three (3) years of managerial experience.
• Demonstrated excellence in oral and written communication, with the ability to engage diverse audiences and quickly learn university policies, principles, and procedures.
• Proven ability to lead and collaborate effectively with diverse internal and external stakeholders, including staff, faculty, and community partners.
• Strong leadership, organizational, and project management skills, with experience in supervising teams, developing programs and services, and managing departmental budgets.
• Skilled in strategic planning and policy development, with a track record of executing short- and long-term initiatives.
• Able to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and exercise sound professional judgment while working both independently and as part of a team.
• Willing and able to travel frequently throughout the region and work a flexible schedule, including evenings and occasional overnight trips.
• Reside in, or in a location contiguous to, the defined region.

Nice To Haves

• Previous work experience in Extension or an institution of higher education.
• Master’s degree in a relevant field.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership, operational oversight, and collaborative engagement across multiple county offices within the assigned region.
• Ensure alignment with WSU Extension’s mission, vision, and goals.
• Foster strong partnerships with local and tribal governments and other stakeholders.
• Support a cohesive, effective team of Extension professionals.
• Guide program development.
• Ensure fiscal and operational compliance.
• Foster an environment of innovation and excellence in service to communities.

Benefits

• Paid sick and vacation leave
• Paid holidays
• Medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents
• Retirement
• Deferred compensation
• Optional supplemental retirement accounts
• Training and development
• Employee tuition waiver

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 1-10 employees