Director of County Extension Operations

The Director for County Operations leads the Alabama Extension’s County offices, ensures operational excellence, and statewide alignment across seven regions. The incumbent will collaborate with the Associate Director at Alabama A&M University to standardizes county practices, strengthen local partnerships with governments and stakeholders, and drive measurable outcomes through data-informed planning, evaluation, and reporting.

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES) is comprised of approximately 700 employees who deliver educational programming in areas of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources (AFNR), Human Sciences (HS), 4-H Youth Development, Community Engagement and Planning, and Urban programs to meet the needs of Alabamians.

Who we are:
Discover a rewarding career with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES), the driving force behind Auburn University and Alabama A&M University’s land grant mission. Our outreach initiatives extend to every corner of Alabama, bringing science-based education to empower individuals for a better quality of life and enhanced economic well-being.
From the heart of two prestigious land grant universities, we cultivate programs that make a difference. Whether online or in person, our impactful initiatives reach communities through 67 County Extension Offices and various teaching sites across Alabama.

Reasons you’ll love working at ACES – Auburn:
• Job Satisfaction; Be a part of life-changing work in your community
• Excellent full-time benefits that start on Day 1
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance options

• Work/life balance

• • 4 weeks of vacation accrued each year.
  • 96 hours of sick leave accrued annually.
  • 7 paid holidays in addition to 2 weeks of paid leave during Christmas/New Years when the University closes.
  • 6 weeks of paid parental leave for the birth or adoption of a child (available for BOTH moms & dads).

• AU tuition assistance for you and your dependents after a year of service.
• Generous state retirement plan along with other voluntary retirement plan options and benefits.
• Fun, flexible & diverse work environment. Every day is different
• Supportive leadership & peers. The ACES team supports you and your work

Special Instructions:

Please combine the following documents:

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Transcripts
• Curriculum Vitae

• The County Extension Operations Director (CEOD) reports to the Director of ACES on the Auburn University campus. The ACES Director is organizationally responsible for all facets of the system, while the CEOD is responsible programmatically for day-to-day operational functions of county operations. Responsibilities include:
  • Supervises Assistant Directors for Field Operations; set statewide operational standards; steward county budgets and personnel decisions in partnership with support units and local governments.
  • Coordinates annual Plan of Work execution with Assistant Director for Field Operations and Program Assistant Directors; embeds local needs assessments into statewide priorities; ensures consistent impact reporting, with leadership specifically on community resource development and community sustainability and vitality for all 67 Extension Offices.
  • Collaborates with the following units: Human Resources, Business Office, Informational Technology, and Communications, Strategic Marketing and Client Relations to support all educational initiatives at the county and state level.
  • Works closely with support units and campus partners to ensure alignment of processes, effective communication, and successful implementation of strategic initiatives.
  • Grows diversified county funding portfolios (MOUs, grants, gifts, fees) and strengthens advisory systems; serve as liaison with county commissions.
  • Ensures programs and operations actively promote equitable access and inclusion.
  • Drives data-informed decision cycles, evaluation practices, and statewide dashboards for county operations; ensure audit readiness.
  • Coordinates county-based Civil Rights audits in collaboration with ACES Human Resources team.
  • Represents ACES in regional and national forums (ASRED/NEDA) and develop multi-state collaborations that advance county programming.

• • Master’s degree AND 10 years of experience in supervising professional staff.

  OR

  • PhD AND 7 years of experience in supervising professional staff.
  
  The candidate selected for this position must be able to meet eligibility requirements to work in the United States at the time the appointment is scheduled to begin and continue working legally for the proposed term of employment.

• Experience and demonstrated effectiveness in leadership, including supervision of professional staff.
• Experience and demonstrated effectiveness in development, delivery, and evaluation of Extension and/or outreach programs that meet the needs of a target audience and create measurable impacts.
• Demonstrated expertise in the development and implementation of Extension programs at the county and state level.
• Demonstrated expertise with budget management and a proven record in generation of revenue streams to support applied-research, Extension programming, and/or outreach.
• A proactive vision of the future of Extension, a demonstrated commitment to the Extension philosophy and mission, and the ability to effectively communicate with stakeholders on these matters.
• An outstanding performance record in previous employment.
• Demonstrated skills in verbal and written communication and a proven ability to interact extremely effectively with faculty, staff, administrators, and external stakeholders.
• Proven record of extension and/or outreach leadership and scholarship to be eligible for tenure at the associate professor rank in his/her appropriate academic department, if applicable.
• Commitment to both ACES and Auburn University’s core values.
• Knowledge of the county educational delivery system in Extension.
• Ability and willingness to travel throughout state.
• Demonstrated experiences and skills in innovation and strategic planning.

• Life-Changing Impact: Our work changes lives through research, instruction, and outreach, making a lasting impact on our students, our communities, and the world.
• Culture of Excellence:We are committed to leveraging our strengths, resources, collaboration, and innovation as a top employer in higher education.
• We’re Here for You:Auburn offers generous benefits, educational opportunities, and a culture of support and work/life balance.
• Sweet Home Alabama:The Auburn/Opelika area offers southern charm, vibrant downtown scenes, top-ranked schools, and easy access to Atlanta, Birmingham, and the Gulf of Mexico beaches.
• A Place for Everyone: Auburn is committed to fostering an environment where all faculty, staff, and students are welcomed, valued, respected, and engaged.
• Ready to lead and shape the future of higher education? Apply today! War Eagle!