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

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

Outside of Tucson, Casa Grande, AZ 85122

The Pinal County Office of Cooperative Extension of the University of Arizona seeks to fill the position 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 focus includes 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. The position will have a 60 % faculty, 30 % administrative, 10 % service split.

The Director role provides key leadership and oversight of urban Extension programs, faculty, and staff. The primary focus is to facilitate innovative and impactful strategic directions, guide planning and actions to meet county‑wide needs, develop capacity, seek and oversee external funding, hire and mentor faculty, and communicate impacts through reports. The director will use a strengths‑based approach tailored to the county’s unique needs. Excellent written and verbal communication, strategic thinking, and influence skills are required.

Benefits:

Health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; tuition reduction for employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to recreation and cultural activities; and more.

Duties & Responsibilities
Administration and Supervisory Duties

Represent the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension at county, state, and national levels, including attending relevant meetings, negotiating budgets, and interfacing with the County Board of Supervisors.

Lead the Extension Advisory Board and develop community engagement strategies, assuming responsibilities of vacant county positions and resolving issues with volunteers and partners.

Directly supervise administrative staff and county‑based faculty and indirectly supervise 15‑20 employees. Work with the Business Manager on budgetary and HR decisions.

Program Development

Analyze national, state, and county data, local resources, and historical information to identify community assets, program needs, and teaching opportunities.

Secure resources (grants, contracts, in‑kind contributions) to enhance agriculture and natural resource programs.

Develop an annual Plan of Work in cooperation with community groups, local leaders, Extension advisory groups, and other professionals.

Collaborate with faculty, Experiment Station researchers, and other experts to design educational programs, applied research, and scholarly works.

Program Implementation

Develop creative programming and utilize new technology, including problem‑solving research, to address priority needs of target audiences.

Participate in statewide working groups to develop new and creative programming efforts.

Prepare educational material, evaluation instruments, teaching materials, and publicity information to support statewide, county, and community initiatives.

Function as a resource for other agencies and organizations, promoting interaction and cooperation among groups.

Disseminate educational materials through county‑wide and/or multicounty events, workshops, websites, newsletters, and other mass media.

Recruit, train, and recognize volunteers and assist them in conducting educational programs as appropriate.

Promote communication and teamwork across county and state Extension, other faculty, and youth professionals.

Promote Cooperative Extension as the outreach arm of the state land‑grant university.

Program Results

Evaluate and document results and impacts of educational programs.

Communicate program results to professional peers and clientele through reports, scholarly works, and various publications, including social media and videos.

Collaborate with peers to evaluate program effectiveness and personal achievements as an Extension faculty member.

Professionalism/Service

Maintain professional competence through study and participation in professional activities.

Maintain high ethical and professional standards and loyalty to Cooperative Extension and the University of Arizona.

Promote public understanding and support for Extension and University programs.

Act as a collegial member of Arizona Cooperative Extension.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Strong ability to address complex strategic and operational problems without clear precedent.

Diplomatic collaboration skills and ability to create shared vision.

Comprehensive knowledge of topics and issues relevant to County Cooperative Extension projects.

Excellent verbal and written communication, time‑management skills, initiative, and creative problem‑solving.

Proficiency in Microsoft 365, Teams, Zoom, and digital communication tools.

Influence skills to influence policies, practices, and procedures beyond own job area.

Knowledge of public funding streams, grants, contracts, and fund development.

Skill in developing and implementing interdisciplinary community‑based programs and evaluating them.

Knowledge of Arizona communities, their economic, social, governance challenges, and public health and nutrition issues.

Skill working in youth and adult education, curriculum development, and informal learning environments.

Data‑driven decision‑making and program evaluation proficiency.

Ability to engage diverse audiences across socio‑economic and cultural backgrounds.

Experience working with Extension, land‑grant universities, or similar community outreach organizations.

Minimum Qualifications

Master’s degree in an area related to the needs and efforts of the County Extension Programs.

Minimum seven years of related work experience, including three years of managerial experience, or an equivalent combination of education and work experience.

Valid driver’s license and ability to drive per the University Fleet Safety Policy; able to travel statewide and nationally.

Preferred Qualifications

Doctorate degree in a relevant field.

Outstanding record of research‑based Cooperative Extension or community‑engaged programming.

Demonstrated leadership experience, preferably in land‑grant systems or comparable organizations with significant recognition.

Experience engaging with local economic, social, and governance challenges in Pinal County.

Five or more years as a high‑level administrator or executive director.

Direct supervisory experience for ten or more employees.

Successful grant and contract acquisition and management for interdisciplinary approaches.

Bilingual proficiency (English/Spanish) preferred.

Other Employment Information
Rank:

To be Determined

Tenure Information:

Continuing‑Eligible (CE)

FLSA:

Exempt

Employment Type:

Full Time

Work Hours:

40+ per week

Job FTE:

1.0

Pay:

$91,000

Benefits Eligible:

Yes – Full Benefits

EEO Statement:

Equal Opportunity Employer. The University of Arizona is a certified Employer of Record and complies with applicable equal employment opportunity laws. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds.

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