Personnel
Position Descriptions
Extension Specialist (Subject Matter)
Policy Number: C.E.S.P.
12-20
Date Revised: 7-1-2006
Supersedes: 5-14-2001 |
Nature and Purpose
The Extension Specialist 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 Extension Specialist provides subject matter support to the field faculty and
serves as a recognized reference source to the organization in an assigned discipline
area.
The Extension Specialist collects, evaluates, interprets, and develops subject matter
information for distribution into the Extension delivery system. The specialist serves as
a resource person to the county Extension faculty and program planning committees in the
assigned discipline area. Program balance is maintained in serving both adults and youth.
The specialist provides liaison with research counterparts in academic institutions and
agricultural experiment stations to keep abreast of research and to identify problem areas
in the field needing research attention. The specialist utilizes a team approach with
research counterparts in developing Extension recommendations.
Major Duties and Responsibilities
• Maintains technical competence with respect to knowledge of developments in field of
specialization and serves as a source of up-to-date subject matter information in these
areas.
•
Provides leadership for statewide programs in field of specialization for both youth and
adult audiences.
•
Prepares bulletins, fact sheets, videotapes, and other teaching materials for both adult
and youth audiences.
•
Prepares and uses materials for teaching by mass media including radio, television, and
press; and develops appropriate computer software for instructional purposes.
•
Cooperates with faculty of the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station in conducting
demonstrations, field trials, and applied research, where appropriate.
•
Prepares recommendations for in-depth teaching content in field of specialization.
•
Assists Associate Directors, department heads, district directors, district program
leaders, and county Extension faculty in planning and teaching in-depth subject matter
schools.
•
Serves in a liaison advisory capacity with statewide organization groups and agencies on
programs relating to subject matter specialty and provides assistance to other groups as
requested through the state Associate Director and department head.
•
Conducts in-service training in field of specialization in program planning,
implementation, and evaluation of selected programs.
•
Identifies new or additional research needs to provide research results to strengthen
educational programs for both adults and youth.
•
Cooperates with other Extension specialists in initiating, coordinating, conducting, and
evaluating interdisciplinary Extension educational programs.
Relationships
• Responsible administratively to the Associate Director for compliance
with all policies, procedures, and regulations relating to the operation of Extension
organization.
•
Coordinates with the appropriate department head or research faculty member in the Dale
Bumpers College of Agriculture, Food and Life Sciences, Agricultural Experiment Station,
and other sources for subject matter accuracy.
•
Cooperates with district directors and district program leaders in planning,
implementing, and evaluating county programs in assigned discipline area.
•
Coordinates with Associate Director for work with statewide organizations and agencies
in developing programs of mutual interest.
Qualifications
Education and Experience
•
Master's degree required, doctorate preferred, in subject matter or related field.
•
Work experience in assigned discipline.
•
County Extension experience preferred.
Knowledge, Skills, and
Abilities
•
Ability to obtain and interpret up-to-date information.
•
Ability to anticipate changing trends in subject matter areas and to develop appropriate
programs.
•
Knowledge of the principles and techniques of adult education.
•
Ability to work effectively with a variety of professional and lay publics within and
outside Extension.
•
Ability to speak and write clearly, to prepare subject matter programs, and to convey
ideas effectively to faculty and clientele.
•
Knowledge of social, economic, political, and cultural factors affecting adult and youth
learning.
•
Physical and mental ability to effectively perform duties and responsibilities related
to the job, including long and irregular hours of work and frequent travel. (Many
positions require ability to move about in plowed or flooded crop fields and/or to work in
livestock facilities under conditions of extreme heat or cold.)
Approval
David E. Foster
Associate Vice President for Agriculture - Extension
July 1, 1993
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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