Associate Extension Agent, Family & Consumer Sciences - Roanoke County

Job Description

The Roanoke Office of Virginia Cooperative Extension serves the Roanoke Valley, which includes Roanoke County and the cities of Roanoke and Salem. The total population for these localities is approximately 218,219. Roanoke is among the few metro areas that enjoys immediate proximity to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Sixty-one public schools provide education for the youth in the Roanoke Valley. Medium household incomes range from $38,000 in Roanoke City to $60,000 in Roanoke County. Citizens living below the poverty level range from 22% in the City of Roanoke to 6% in the County. The needs among these localities are diverse and will require broad spectrum Family and Consumer Science programming. 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: Health, Nutrition/Wellness Family and Human Development. Promote positive financial practices for limited resource families by building a strong volunteer system.

Responsibilities: Determine program needs by monitoring trends and issues, involving Extension Leadership Councils, community partners, 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, nonprofit 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.

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 tuition waiver.

Required Qualifications

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. 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. The person in this position is expected to travel to provide in-person programming and to build community partnerships with few exceptions for telework.

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

Preferred Qualifications

Master's degree is preferred.

Appointment Type

Regular

Salary Information

Commensurate with Education and Experience

Review Date

January 16, 2023

Additional Information

Must have a driver's license check.

Must have an acceptable and safe driving record.

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

About Virginia Tech

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.

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Danny Peek at dpeek@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.

Advertised: December 15, 2022
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