Associate Agent/Full Agent and Director (Case Grande, AZ)

Administration and Supervisory Duties

This position includes administrative responsibility as County Extension Director and will represent the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension at county, state, and national levels. This includes attending university, division, and county-level department head meetings, negotiating county budgets, interfacing with the County Board of Supervisors, Extension Advisory Board management and development, and engagement with other community groups, assuming responsibilities of vacant county positions, and resolving issues of concern with volunteers and community partners. Supervisory duties include direct supervision of administrative staff and county-based faculty and indirect supervision of 15-20 employees. The director works collaboratively with the Business Manager to oversee and make budgetary and human resources decisions. Additional responsibilities may be deemed necessary and will be assigned by College and/or Extension administrators.

Program Development

• Conducts a systematic analysis of national, Arizona, and county data, local resources, and historical information in to identify community assets, program needs, and teaching opportunities.
• Identifies resources (grants, contracts, in kind contributions, etc.) to enhance agriculture and natural resource programs.
• In cooperation with community groups, local leaders, Extension advisory groups, and other Extension professionals, develops an annual Plan of Work.
• Consults with Extension faculty, Experiment Station researchers, and other experts in the development of educational programs, applied research, and scholarly works.

Program Implementation

• Conducts creative programming and utilizes new technology, that may include problem solving research, to address priority needs of the target audiences.
• Participates in statewide working groups to develop new and creative programming efforts.
• Prepares educational material, evaluation instruments, teaching materials and publicity information in support of state, county, and community initiatives.
• Functions as a resource for other agencies and organizations. Promotes interaction and cooperation among various groups.
• Disseminates educational materials through county wide and/or multicounty events, workshops, websites, newsletters and other mass media methods, use of volunteers, and other methods.
• Provides for recruitment, training, and recognition of volunteers and assists them in the conduct of educational programs as appropriate.
• Promotes communication and teamwork with county and state Extension, other faculty, and youth professionals.
• Promotes Cooperative Extension as the outreach arm of the state landgrant university.

Program Results

• Evaluates and documents results and impacts of educational programs.
• Communicates program results to both professional peers and clientele through periodic reports, scholarly works, and various types of publications (e.g., bulletins/fact sheets, popular articles, state publications, scientific articles, social media, video, and computer programs).
• Collaborates with the peers to evaluate program effectiveness and personal achievements as an Extension faculty member.

Professionalism/Service

• Maintains professional competence through study, participation in professional activities and the application of knowledge and skills on the job.
• Maintains high ethical and professional standards and is loyal to Cooperative Extension and the University of Arizona.
• Promotes public understanding and support for Extension and University programs.
• Performs as a collegial member of Arizona Cooperative Extension.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong ability to address problems that are both strategic and operational, and often complex without clear precedent.
• Proficiency in diplomatically working with others and creating collaboration and shared vision.
• Knowledge of and familiarity with the variety of topics and issues relevant to current Maricopa County Cooperative Extension projects, programs, and activities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, and time management skills and the ability to strategically take initiative and creatively problem solve.
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, Outlook), and digital communication tools such as Teams and Zoom.
• Strong ability to influence others outside of own job area on policies, practices, and procedures.
• Knowledge of public funding streams, grants, contracts, and fund development.
• Skill in developing and implementing interdisciplinary and community-based programs, including applied research and program evaluation.
• Knowledge of Arizona's communities, including local economic, social, and governance challenges, as well as public health and nutrition issues.
• Skill working in areas of youth and adult education, including in curriculum development and in informal learning environments.
• Proficiency in data-driven decision-making and program evaluation methods.
• The ability to effectively engage various audiences across socio-economic and cultural backgrounds.
• Skill in working with Cooperative Extension, land-grant universities, or similar community outreach organization.