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

The Pinal County Office of Cooperative Extension of the University of Arizona seeks to fill the role of Associate or Full Agent and Director. This continuing-eligible Associate Extension Agent in Family, Consumer, and Health Sciences (FCHS) will serve as a key member of the PCCE team, developing and delivering community-based education programs that improve the health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities. The position focuses on topics such as nutrition, health, food safety, financial literacy, and family wellness. The Agent will assess local needs, design and implement programs, evaluate outcomes, and collaborate with Extension faculty, community partners, and stakeholders to create positive, research-based impacts throughout Pinal County. This position will have a with a 60% faculty, 30% administrative, 10% service split. The applicants must have the academic record to be approved by the Extension Promotion and Continuing Committee at the associate or full rank with continuing status in the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension.

The Pinal County Cooperative Extension Director position provides key leadership and oversight of urban Extension programs, faculty, and staff. The primary focus of this position is to facilitate innovative and impactful strategic directions and guide planning and actions to meet county-wide needs, develop the capacity of PCCE through internal and external partnerships, seek and oversee external funding, hire, and mentor faculty, and communicate impacts through reports using a variety of means. The director will utilize a strengths-based approach that meets the unique needs of the county and its people. The position requires excellent written and verbal communication skills, strategic thinking, and the ability to influence and work with decision-makers and stakeholders on many levels.

Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!

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.

• Master's degree in an area related to the needs and efforts of the County Extension Programs.
• Minimum of seven years of related work experience, including three years of managerial experience, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• Must have a valid driver's license and ability to drive according to the University Fleet Safety Policy. Must be able to travel statewide and nationally using all modes of transportation.

• Earned Doctorate Degree in a relevant field.
• Outstanding record of research-based Cooperative Extension/community-engaged programming.
• Demonstrated leadership experience, preferably land-grant systems, or comparable organizations with significant recognition within a field of specialization.
• Demonstrated experience engaging with local economic, social, and governance challenges and opportunities in Pinal County.
• Five or more years of experience as a high-level administrator or executive director.
• Demonstrated direct supervisory experience for 10 or more employees.
• Evidence of successful grant and contract acquisition and management for interdisciplinary approaches.
• Bilingual proficiency (English/Spanish) preferred.