District Extension Director - Northeast District

Position Summary

The District Extension Director ( DED ) is a member of the Extension Leadership Team in the College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences ( CAES ), at the University of Georgia, responsible for administering the Extension program in one of four districts across the state. The College is one of the largest colleges of agriculture in the nation and supports a $70.1 billion agricultural industry, the largest sector of the economy in the state of Georgia. For over 100 years, UGA Cooperative Extension has provided free, reliable, research-based information to farmers and businesses and has taught life skills and lessons to millions of young people.

The Northeast District of Georgia is comprised of a mix of 40 urban and rural counties including the larger cities of Athens and Augusta. The Northeast District Extension Director is responsible for approximately 175 employees and oversees a budget of approximately $5.5 million. The District Headquarters office is located on the University of GA Campus in Athens, Georgia.

This role will lead the Northeast Extension District staff under the supervision of the Associate Dean for Extension and the Director of County Operations. This is a University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences 12-month Public Service or Tenure-Track faculty position located in the Northeast District of Georgia. To see the district map and counties visit: https://extension.uga.edu/about/districts—facilities—and-centers/northeast-district.html

Special Instructions to Applicants

Applicant screening will begin immediately. Candidates are encouraged to submit their materials by February 28, 2022 to ensure review; however, screening will continue until the position is filled. Applicants should submit formal applications including a current resume, cover letter expressing their interest and qualifications for the position, a one page statement summarizing their philosophy for the position, and a one page statement summarizing their leadership and DEI philosophy. Include names and addresses of four references (who will not be contacted without further correspondence with the applicant). Please direct questions about the position to Mrs. Andrea Scarrow, Southwest District Extension Director, at ascarrow@uga.edu or 229-386-3413.

Posting Details

Posting Number

F1168P

Working Title

District Extension Director - Northeast District

Department

CAES-Northeast District CES

About the University of Georgia

The University of Georgia ( UGA ), a land-grant and sea-grant university with statewide commitments and responsibilities, is the state’s oldest, most comprehensive, and most diversified institution of higher education ( https://www.uga.edu/ ). UGA is currently ranked among the top 15 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University’s main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA was founded in 1785 by the Georgia General Assembly as the first state-chartered University in the country. UGA employs approximately 1,800 full-time instructional faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University’s enrollment exceeds 39,000 students including over 30,000 undergraduates and over 9,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 18 schools and colleges, as well as a medical partnership with Augusta University housed on the UGA Health Sciences Campus in Athens.

About the College/Unit/Department

UGA Cooperative Extension was founded in 1914 to bring research-based agricultural information to the people of Georgia. County agents and specialists throughout the state share information on issues like water quality, profitability in agribusiness, family wellness and life skills.

County agents provide soil and water test kits and instruction, advice on safe pesticide use, publications, computer programs and lessons in consumer skills to improve Georgians’ quality of life. They are the local experts in food safety, proper eating habits, child safety and parenting.

UGA Extension coordinates 4-H, Georgia’s largest youth program. Each year, almost 200,000 young Georgians participate in community projects, summer camps and conferences on today’s issues while having fun and learning to work together. The leadership skills and values they learn in 4-H last a lifetime.

UGA Extension reaches more than 2.6 million Georgians through education programs each year. Millions more rely on UGA Extension’s publications , educational news articles and public television programming for advice and information.

College/Unit/Department website

https://extension.uga.edu/about/districts--facilities--and-centers/northeast-district.html

Posting Type

External

Retirement Plan

TRS or ORP

Employment Type

Employee

Benefits Eligibility

Benefits Eligible

Underutilization

Minorities & Females

Advertised Salary

Anticipated Start Date

06/01/2022

Effective End Date (for Limited-Term postings)

Job Posting Date

01/28/2022

Job Closing Date

Open until filled

Yes

Location of Vacancy

Athens Area

EEO Statement

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, genetic information, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation or protected veteran status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR (hrweb@uga.edu).

UGA Statement

PLEASE NOTE : On December 7, 2021, the federal District Court for the Southern District of Georgia issued a preliminary injunction against enforcing the vaccine requirement for
Federal Contractors pending further review. As a result, the requirements of the Executive Order and associated guidance, including the vaccination requirement for covered contractor employees, are currently not in effect.

The University of Georgia is a Federal Contractor as defined by Presidential Executive Order 14042 and subject to the requirement that Federal Contractors must ensure that all covered employees, including those working remotely, are fully vaccinated by January 4, 2022. You may be required to show proof of your fully vaccinated status at the time of your start date, or have received a medical or religious exemption from the fully vaccinated requirement at the time of your start date. For more information regarding the Federal Contractor fully vaccinated employment requirement please visit https://coronavirus.uga.edu/executive-order/ or call (706) 542-2222.

Position Details

Position Information

Classification Title

Assoc/Asst Dept Chair/Director/Head AC

FLSA

Faculty Rank

Senior Public Service Associate

Contract Type

Fiscal (12 mo.)

Tenure Status

Non-Tenure Track

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum of a Master’s degree from an accredited university in a field related to Cooperative Extension, Management and/or Public Administration.

Additional Requirements

Must have the rank or be able to qualify for the rank of Senior Public Service Associate (or equivalent rank) at the University of Georgia.

See the University of Georgia Guidelines for Appointments and Promotions for Public Service and Outreach Academic Rank for information regarding the Public Service Faculty ranks.

Relevant/Preferred Education, Experience, Licensure, and/or Certification

Doctorate highly preferred

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies

• County Extension background, especially as a County Coordinator, is highly desirable but not mandatory
• Ability to provide strong visionary and progressive administrative leadership
• Substantial knowledge and understanding of Extension organization, operation, philosophy, and objectives
• Demonstrated abilities in the areas of planning, organizing, budgeting, personnel management, motivating employees, and team building
• Ability to effectively relate to and communicate with staff, faculty and the public
• Knowledge and proficiency in the use of technology in support of program delivery, training and staff development
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in at least one core area of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Family and Consumer Sciences or 4-H Youth
• High degree of competency in human relations skills

Physical Demands

Is this a Position of Trust?

Yes

Does this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources?

Yes

Does this position require a P-Card?

No

Is having a P-Card an essential function of this position?

No

Is driving a responsibility of this position?

Yes

Does this position have direct interaction or care of children under the age of 18 or direct patient care?

Yes

Does this position have Security Access (e.g., public safety, IT security, personnel records, patient records, or access to chemicals and medications)

Yes

Credit and P-Card policy

Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website.

Duties/Responsibilities

Duties/Responsibilities

• Position responsibilities include budget management, personnel administration, performance evaluations, employee relations, staff recruitment & development, liaison with organizations serving urban and rural environments, and serving as a liaison to local governments.
• The Director provides administrative leadership for the district team, which consists of County Extension Coordinators, county and district Extension staff and Program Development Coordinators in each of the following areas: Agriculture and Natural Resources, Family and Consumer Sciences and 4-H Youth.
• The position guides county Extension faculty in the Public Service promotion process and the implementation and management of multi-county programming.
• The successful candidate will oversee all phases of program planning, including needs assessment, program development, implementation, evaluation, and fund development.
• The successful candidate will be expected to oversee the delivery of high-quality extension programs in cooperation with appropriate extension and research leaders.
• The individual will also be expected to work effectively with, and represent faculty to, University of Georgia administrators, UGA Public Service Units, Fort Valley State University Extension, state and federal agency personnel, industry clientele and local governments.
• The Director provides leadership to ensure a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion ( DEI ).
• Assume other duties as directed by the Director of County Operations, Associate Dean for Extension, and Dean of CAES .

Percentage Of Time

100

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Applicant Documents
Required Documents

1. Resume/CV
2. Cover Letter
3. Public Svc/Extension Philosophy
4. Other Documents #1
5. List of References with Contact Information

Optional Documents

1. Other Documents #2