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Personnel
Position Descriptions
County Extension Agent - Staff Chair
Policy Number: C.E.S.P. 12-71
Date Revised: 1-16-2004
Supersedes: 12-10-2001 |
Nature and Purpose
The County Extension Agent - Staff Chair is a faculty member of the
Cooperative Extension Service, University of Arkansas, and may hold a
concurrent appointment with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The County Extension Agent - Staff Chair is the
lead agent of the county Extension office and provides
administrative leadership in the planning, implementation, and
evaluation of an effective county Extension program in the areas of
agriculture and natural resources, community development, family and
consumer sciences, and 4-H youth development. In addition to
administrative responsibilities, the agent provides program leadership
in one or more of the program areas.
The County Extension Agent - Staff Chair is
appointed by the District Director from among county Extension agents
assigned to the county. At the
discretion of the District Director the
assignment of Staff Chair may change from one
agent to anothern with reason as approved by the
Associate Vice President for Agriculture - Extension.
When it is deemed in the best interest of Extension, the Associate
Vice President for Agriculture - Extension may fill a vacant agent
position through an administrative transfer which includes the Staff
Chair assignment as well.
Major Duties and Responsibilities
The County Extension Agent - Staff Chair is also assigned program
responsibilities of the county Extension agent - agriculture or county
Extension agent - family and consumer sciences. For a description of
these duties, see appropriate job descriptions.
Program Planning
• Develops and maintains a thorough knowledge of the social, economic,
political, and cultural characteristics of the county; maintains effective
liaison with local leaders.
• Maintains a working knowledge of all elements of the state
Extension program, with special reference to those having relevance to
the county program.
• Provides leadership for the operational functions of the county
program planning committee.
• Works with county faculty, leaders, and planning groups to develop
understanding and support for Extension programs.
• Involve Extension specialists
as appropriate in providing research
information for county programming.
• Provides leadership in preparing and presenting relevant
educational material for planning and updating the county long-range
program.
• Conducts program analysis and planning discussions; supervises the
compiling, writing, and distribution of the county Extension program.
• Assists as required with County Extension Council and its
subcommittees.
Program Implementation
• Carries out plan of work in order to reach objectives.
• Keeps informed on all Extension work and activities in the
county.
•
Assist other county faculty members in implementing
their phase of the plan of work.
• Cooperates with federal, state, and local programs in carrying
out Extension's educational responsibilities.
• Develops and carries out with faculty a plan to ensure that the
public has opportunities to be informed of Extension work; maintains
liaison with local information media, civic, and interest groups.
•
Provides reports and other information requested by the administrative and
supervisory staff.
Program Evaluation
• Conducts a continuous evaluation of the overall county Extension program in
cooperation with other faculty members.
• Supervises and assists county faculty in evaluating work for
which they are responsible.
• Assists district director in the evaluation of the county
Extension program.
Administrative Management
• Assists district director in developing recommendations for county Extension
appropriations.
• Arranges for office space and equipment in consultation with
the district director.
• Supervises operations of the county Extension office.
• Supervises preparation of the county Extension annual plan of
work.
• Responsible for the timely preparation and submission of
required reports.
• Establishes and maintains effective personnel relationships.
• Establishes and maintains effective office management
procedures.
•Approves requests for leave, travel authorization requests,
and travel reimbursement claims as appropriate.
Personnel Management
• Supervises and coordinates work of county faculty and staff; holds weekly
office conferences; keeps county faculty and staff informed on official
Extension communications and policy.
• Provides leadership for division and distribution of work
among faculty and staff; keeps informed of county faculty
itineraries and activities.
• Counsels with faculty on program matters and professional
development; consults with district director regarding
assignment and performance of staff members.
• Conducts an annual performance evaluation of faculty and
staff assigned in the county.
• Recruits, selects, recommends for employment, and
supervises paraprofessional and secretarial employees.
Recommend disciplinary or termination
procedures when appropriate.
Civil Rights/Equal Opportunity
• Responsible for compliance with civil rights regulations in programs and
employment.
• Develops and maintains necessary records for civil rights
documentation.
• Makes appropriate reports when requested.
• Responsible for civil rights orientation of new employees
assigned in the county.
Other
• Performs other duties as assigned.
Relationships
• Responsible to the district director for administrative and supervisory
matters in the county.
• Counsels with district director and associate district
director regarding county program development,
implementation, and evaluation.
• Serves as county Extension representative in
coordinating the overall Extension program with other
agencies and organizations as appropriate.
Qualifications
Education and Experience
• Master's degree in agriculture,
family and consumer sciences or related area
• Minimum of three years of
work experience preferable in Extension programs
at the county level which demonstrates the ability to
perform increasingly responsible assignments preferred.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Understanding of administrative policies and procedures, including a working
knowledge of planning, budgeting, personnel, and general offices procedures.
• Knowledge of and ability to apply principles of
management.
• Knowledge of social, economic, political, and
cultural factors affecting the Extension program.
• Knowledge of the organization, operation, philosophy,
and objectives of the Cooperative Extension Service.
• Functional understanding of the principles, methods,
and techniques of adult education.
• Ability to work effectively with other Extension
personnel, county leadership, and the general public.
• Ability to speak and write clearly and communicate
ideas effectively.
• Physical and mental ability to effectively perform
duties and responsibilities related to the job, including
long and irregular hours of work and frequent travel.
Approval
Ivory W. Lyles
Associate Vice President for Agriculture - Extension
January 1, 2004
The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service is an
Equal Opportunity Employer. All candidates will be considered without
regard to race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age,
disability, marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected
status.
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