Associate Extension Agent, Family & Consumer Sciences - Lee & Scott Counties

Lee County is a rural county located in extreme Southwest Virginia. It borders Bell and Harlan Counties in Kentucky, Hancock and Claiborne Counties in Tennessee and Wise and Scott Counties in Virginia. The county contains 438 square miles and has abundances of natural resources that include timber, coal, limestone, crude oil, and natural gas. Lee County is located 396 miles from Richmond, the state capitol. The 2020 census data indicated a total population of 22,173. Lee County has 2 high schools, 3 middle schools, 5 elementary schools. There are three incorporated towns located within the county: Jonesville (the county seat), Pennington Gap, and St. Charles. The Virginia Cooperative Extension Office is located in Pennington Gap in Lee County, and just outside Gate City for Scott County. Lee County & Scott County are two limited resource counties and the issues their populations are facing surround the programming opportunities of a Family and Consumer Science (FCS) Extension Agent. Finance, nutrition, and childcare are major concerns for these two counties and a FCS Extension Agent can work to make a difference offering education and opportunities.

Virginia Cooperative Extension Family and Consumer Science programs view the family unit as the cornerstone of a healthy society. Family and Consumer Science (FCS) agent positions require a service mentality as well as process and subject matter expertise to plan, implement and evaluate research based educational programs for diverse audiences. The FCS agent plans, delivers and evaluates research based educational programs that are tied to community needs and directed towards families and individuals. The position requires a service mentality and a balance between process skills and subject matter expertise. The successful candidate will develop, lead, and/or teach educational programs which focus on: 1) making healthy choices; 2) nurturing families; 3) embracing life as you age; 4) securing financial stability; 5) promoting healthy homes and communities; 6) consumer sciences programming areas including: food and nutrition; family resource management; human development and family relations; health, safety and wellness; leadership development; clothing and textiles; housing and the environment; home based and micro business.

The successful candidate for this position will have job responsibilities in both Lee and Scott Counties.

Virginia Cooperative Extension Family and Consumer Science programs view the family unit as the cornerstone of a healthy society. Family and Consumer Science (FCS) agent positions require a service mentality as well as process and subject matter expertise to plan, implement and evaluate research-based educational programs for diverse audiences. The FCS agent plans, delivers and evaluates research-based educational programs that are tied to community needs and directed towards families and individuals. The position requires a service mentality and a balance between process skills and subject matter expertise.

Specialty Areas include:
Nutrition/Wellness
Family and Human Development

Responsibilities: Determine program needs by monitoring trends and issues, involving extension Leadership Councils and other leadership committees; develop and deliver objective and research-based educational programs to meet the needs of diverse audiences; partner and collaborate with the needs of diverse audiences; partner and collaborate with Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) agents, agencies, non-profit and other organizations that may have the resources to meet the educational needs of local residents; use appropriate technologies to plan, deliver educational programs through workshops, seminars, conferences, one-on-one visits, field trips and tours; develop and implement evaluation plans; recruit and involve volunteers; report impacts, outcomes to clientele, public, administration and other key stakeholders.

Individuals will be hired at the Associate Extension Agent title level. A master's degree and promotion to Extension Agent are required no later than the sixth year of employment.

Extension agents demonstrate flexibility, adaptability; team-oriented mindset, yet are able to work independently, and; strong desire to help clients succeed. Extension agents recognizes the importance of diversity and inclusion in the development and delivery of Extension programs, actively work to diversify program participation and are responsible for VCE's civil rights policies and compliance with affirmative action.

Individuals with a bachelor's degree will be hired at the Associate Extension Agent title level. A master's degree and promotion to Extension Agent are required no later than the sixth year of employment.

Virginia Cooperative Extension programs and employment are open to all, regardless of age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.

Virginia Tech has an excellent benefits package; including graduate tuition waiver.

Agent faculty positions require a minimum of a bachelor's degree (BA or BS) in a relevant discipline from an accredited college or university. A master's degree and promotion to Extension Agent are required no later than the sixth year of employment. Demonstrated ability to recruit, select, train and manage volunteers; demonstrated ability to lead groups, plan, implement, facilitate, teach, and evaluate educational information programs; knowledge and use of computer technology in educational programming and management and presentation skills; excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively with low income, limited resource and minority audiences; ability to work with minimal supervision in an unstructured setting. Extension agents demonstrate flexibility, adaptability; a team-oriented mindset, yet are able to work independently, and strong desire to help clients succeed. The person in this position is expected to travel to provide in-person leadership and to build community partnerships with few exceptions for telework.

Virginia Tech is unable to sponsor applicants for work visas for this vacancy.

Master’s Degree is preferred.

Regular

$45,000 - $65,000

March 7, 2024

Must have a driver's license check with an acceptable and safe driving record.

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including the Innovation Campus in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous Extension offices and research centers. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.