Extension Agent (Family and Community Development) - Berkeley and Jefferson Counties

Description

The WVU Extension Service is seeking a dynamic individual who will implement a comprehensive Extension program in Family and Community Development (FCD) with a primary focus on healthy living and family wellbeing. This is a county-based faculty position serving Berkeley and Jefferson Counties and supporting Extension activity in the region. This twelve-month position carries the academic rank of Assistant Professor or Visiting Instructor, depending on the candidate's level of education. An Assistant Professor appointment with a graduate level degree will be a full time, promotable, tenure track appointment. A Visiting Instructor appointment with an undergraduate level degree will be a full time, non-tenure track appointment.

Major Responsibilities

This position's major responsibility is the interpretation and delivery of relevant educational information to the citizens of the county and region, with specific emphasis on efforts to ensure the application of this knowledge. The primary duty is to teach educational programs in nutrition, health and wellness, human development and family science, personal and family finance, and community and leadership development to adult and youth audiences.

The Agent is responsible to the FCD Program Director for all programmatic and administrative matters. In addition, the Agent works cooperatively with the appropriate County Program Coordinator (CPC) to integrate his / her program efforts into the total County Extension program. The amount of time which an Agent spends in specific program areas and / or in program components is determined in concert with the Unit Director and other county faculty. As a part of our Extension team in Berkeley and Jefferson Counties, the successful candidate will be expected to support programming in other areas of WVU Extension efforts including 4-H and Youth Development and Agriculture and Natural Resources. The amount of time spent in specific program areas and / or in program components is determined in concert with the Unit Director, fellow faculty members, and will be based on identified county needs.

Functions and Tasks

1. Conducts educational programs in their designated program area to help people more effectively interpret and use research based findings.

• Assumes responsibility for developing and executing a Plan of Work. The Plan of Work will include FCD programming with the possibility to include 4-H Youth Development as well as Agriculture and Natural Resources programming appropriate for county needs.
• Involves the Extension Service Committee and community stakeholders appropriate program advisory committees to analyze the county situation, identify priority problems and develop and implement programs.
• Uses the resources of the West Virginia University and the community to effectively implement county programs.
• Identifies, recruits, and develops volunteer leadership to assists with the carrying out the program of work in the county.
• Develops and uses appropriate systems for reporting program accomplishments.
• Functions at all times as a professional educator.
• Actively participates with Extension work teams to help focus and develop regional and statewide programs in designated program areas.
• Faculty members are expected to engage in recruitment, retention and student success activities that promote access, education, training, experiences and career opportunities for young people that will lead to their future enrollment at WVU or other post-secondary institutions.

2. Teaching Follows a sound process in developing educational programs in designated areas of responsibility. Extension faculty are practitioners who develop educational programs to meet the needs of non-credit learners. Program development is a process used to assess needs, mobilize resources, and create and organize educational initiatives to address the needs of citizens.

3. Service Develops an understanding of the county, the needs of its citizens and Extension's role in meeting those needs.

4. Research : Uses knowledge of youth development to inform and guide teaching and service and move the faculty and learner to decision making and action. Participates in professional development activities that increase expertise in the discipline.

5. Understands the philosophy of Extension and utilizes effective methodology in program delivery and evaluation.

Qualifications

Preferred Experience :

Special Requirements :

Position Assignment :

Application Process :

Applications will be reviewed beginning immediately and the search will remain open until the position is filled.

If you meet the stated requirements and would like to be considered for the position, ALL of the following information must be submitted using https : / / careers.wvu.edu / career-opportunities :

Special Notice : Upon completion of the application, screening and interview process, a candidate will be presented to the County Extension Service Committee for their consideration. Final placement of this position in the county is subject to the approval of the County Extension Service Committee.

About WVU Extension : WVU Extension is a primary outreach division of West Virginia University, embracing the heart of the University's land-grant mission. WVU Extension maintains a presence and connections in communities across all 55 West Virginia counties. It assesses local needs, seeks science-based best practices to meet these needs, and delivers educational programs and resources through several formal and informal systems. These connections are critical to the design, implementation, and evaluation of Extension and community engagement programs.

WVU Extension envisions a West Virginia where all its people can reach their fullest potential. Our mission is to improve lives and livelihoods of all West Virginians. Extension's work is guided by collaboration and partnership; doing no harm; providing trusted, science-based practical education; helping people help themselves; serving all people, and exercising accountability. WVU Extension focuses on providing trusted and practical educational programs that improve health, education, and prosperity. These programs help people, businesses, and communities solve problems, develop skills, and build a better future.

WVU Extension is part of the National Cooperative Extension System present in every state and territory and is overseen by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). It was created by Congress through the 1914 Smith-Lever Act. It is designed as a collaborative program funded through federal, state, and local match. WVU Extension also includes the Fire Service Extension (c. 1931), the Institute for Labor Studies

and Research (c. 1959); the Occupational Health and Safety Extension (c. 1988), and the

WVU Center for Community Engagement (c. 2021).

Visit WVU Extension Service's website at www.extension.wvu.edu for additional information about our programs. In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability and reprisal or retaliation for prior civil right activity. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs).

At West Virginia University, we pride ourselves on a tireless endeavor for achievement. We are home to some of the most passionate, innovative minds in the country who push their limits for the sake of progress, constantly moving the world forward. Our students, faculty and staff make this institution one of the best out there, and we are proud to stand as one voice, one university, one WVU. Find out more about your opportunities as a Mountaineer at http : / / hr.wvu.edu.

WVU is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer and the recipient of an NSF ADVANCE award for gender equity. The University values diversity among its faculty, staff and students, and invites applications from all qualified individuals, including minorities, females, individuals with disabilities and veterans.

At West Virginia University, we leverage our talents and resources to create a better future for our state and the world. As West Virginia's land-grant university, WVU has three campuses that touch each corner of the state. The WVU System includes 518 buildings on 15,880 acres, Extension Service offices in all 55 counties, ten experimental farms and four forests.

From the groundbreaking R1 research of our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs of WVU Potomac State in Keyser to the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley - the contributions of WVU employees directly impact the 1.8 million people of West Virginia every day, no matter their role or position.

Service, curiosity, respect, accountability, and appreciation are the core values that unite Mountaineers, inspiring one another to work tirelessly and support others as they seek to reach new heights. After all, when you're a Mountaineer, impossible is just another mountain to climb.

Creating an inclusive, engaged, and dynamic learning environment is core to WVU's academic mission. We welcome candidates who can contribute a range of ideas, approaches and experiences.

West Virginia University is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer and is the recipient of an NSF ADVANCE award for gender equity. The University values diversity among its faculty, staff, and students, and invites applications from all qualified applicants regardless of race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, nationality, genetics, disability, or Veteran status