Director Agricultural Extension Jobs (NOW HIRING)

 "Greater Happens HERE"

Title: Associate Dean of Extension/Associate Extension Administrator

State Role Title: Administrative - Lecturer

Hiring Range: up to a MAX of $160,000.00, commensurate with Education and Experience

Pay Band: UG

Agency: Virginia State University

Location: Cooper Ext & Agric Res Service

Agency Website: www.VSU.edu

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

Virginia State University (VSU), a distinguished 1890 Land-Grant Institution, invites applications and nominations for the position of Associate Dean of Extension / Associate Extension Administrator within the College of Agriculture. This executive leadership position provides strategic leadership and administrative oversight for Virginia State University Cooperative Extension, advancing the University's land-grant mission through innovative Extension programming, advancing the University's land-grant mission through innovative Extension education, community engagement, workforce development, youth development, technology transfer, and strategic partnerships.
Reporting directly to the Dean and Director for Land-Grant Programs (1890 Extension Administrator and 1890 Research Director), the Associate Dean of Extension serves as a member of the College of Agriculture Executive Leadership Team and collaborates closely with the Associate Research Director to strengthen the integration of Extension, research, and teaching while expanding the University's impact across the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Position Responsibilities:
Provide visionary leadership and executive oversight for Virginia State University Cooperative Extension, including statewide program planning, organizational leadership, personnel management, fiscal stewardship, and operational excellence.
Supervise the Assistant Extension Administrator, Assessment and Evaluation, Extension Program Leaders, and other Extension leadership personnel while fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, accountability, professional development, and excellence.
Lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive statewide Extension strategy that addresses emerging issues in agriculture, natural resources, family and consumer sciences, youth development, community development, and workforce development.
Strengthen Extension's statewide impact by promoting evidence-informed educational programming, community partnerships, technology adoption, and innovative outreach approaches that improve the quality of life for Virginians.
Provide leadership for Extension program planning, impact reporting, assessment, accountability, and evaluation to ensure compliance with federal, state, and university requirements while demonstrating measurable public value.
Expand external funding by supporting Extension faculty and staff in grant development, contract opportunities, philanthropic partnerships, and collaborative initiatives that enhance Extension programming and organizational sustainability.
Build and sustain strong partnerships with federal and state agencies, local governments, community organizations, industry, non-profit organizations, and other educational institutions to advance Virginia State University's outreach and public engagement mission.
Champion employee engagement, leadership development, succession planning, and a high-performing organizational culture across Virginia State University Cooperative Extension.
Ensure effective stewardship of financial, human, and physical resources while maintaining compliance with university policies and all applicable federal and state regulations.
Represent Virginia State University Cooperative Extension at university, state, regional, and national meetings and serve as a visible advocate for the University's 1890 land-grant mission and Extension enterprise.
Collaborate with the Associate Dean for Research, academic departments, and other university leaders to facilitate the translation of research into practical, community-based educational programs and to create meaningful experiential learning opportunities for students.

Minimum Qualifications

Earned doctorate from an accredited institution in Agriculture, Extension Education, Agricultural Education, Community Development, Education, Public Administration, Leadership, or a closely related discipline.

Earned master's degree from an accredited institution in Agriculture, Extension Education, Agricultural Education, Community Development, Education, Public Administration, Leadership, or a closely related discipline.

Candidates appointed with a master's degree must be actively enrolled in, or enroll in, an accredited doctoral program within twelve (12) months of appointment and maintain satisfactory academic progress toward completion of the degree.

Progressive executive leadership experience within Cooperative Extension, a land-grant institution, higher education, or a comparable outreach organization.

Demonstrated ability to serve as an executive advisor to senior leadership and effectively represent the Dean and the College in institutional, state, regional, and national initiatives.

Demonstrated success in strategic planning, organizational leadership, personnel management, and statewide program administration.

Experience integrating applied research into Extension programming, community engagement, and evidence-based educational initiatives.

Demonstrated success in grant writing, proposal development, sponsored program administration, and securing external funding from federal, state, foundation, corporate, and private sources.

Demonstrated ability to cultivate collaborative partnerships among faculty, researchers, government agencies, industry, nonprofit organizations, and community stakeholders.

Excellent communication, collaboration, consensus-building, organizational leadership, and relationship management skills with diverse internal and external stakeholders.
*Virginia State University requires that faculty be appropriately credentialed to teach assigned courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels. VSU demonstrates compliance with its Faculty Credentialing Policy #2301 for all applicable education, experience, licensure and certification requirements in the selection and hiring of its faculty.

Additional Considerations

N/A

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or resume is submitted successfully. Please refer to "Your Application" in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

You must include:
1. A current resume/c.v.
2. A letter of interest in your application.
3. Contact Information for Three (3) Professional References
Official transcripts will be required before hire.
Virginia State University is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all persons and applicants, without regard to age, color, disability, gender, national origin, political affiliation, genetic information, race, religion, sexual orientation, sex (including pregnancy) or veteran status. VSU encourages and invites minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply.
AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service alumni are encouraged to apply.
HOW TO APPLY: Virginia State University only accepts applications for this position through the on-line state Recruitment Management System (PageUp). Faxed, e-mailed, and mailed applications and/or attachments will not be accepted. The application must be detailed and fully completed. All employment and periods of unemployment (if applicable) must be listed within the application; either on an attached resume or manually listed in the "Relevant Work History" section. Each application is reviewed for documentation that shows the applicant meets the minimum and preferred qualifications stated in the job announcement. The decision to interview an applicant is based on the information provided on the application, therefore, it is essential to fully complete each section of the application and provide descriptive information. Submitting an incomplete state application, or a state application lacking in detail, may result in your non-selection. This website will provide a confirmation of receipt when the application is submitted for consideration.
The selected candidate will be subject to an extensive and complete background check, which may include fingerprinting. The candidate may be required to complete a Statement of Economic Interest as a condition of employment, if applicable.
Employment-based visa sponsorship at Virginia State University (VSU) is not guaranteed and will be evaluated carefully on a case-by-case basis. Federal law does not require employers to provide immigration sponsorship, and VSU is not obligated to offer it. Employment at VSU does not permit an individual to work in the United States unless the appropriate employment authorization has been obtained and verified in accordance with federal immigration compliance requirements.

• Optional Retirement Plan (ORP)
  Immediate vesting | Portable | Investment choice
• Virginia Retirement System (VRS)
  Defined benefit pension | Lifetime monthly income
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan (DCP)
• 403(b) (TIAA)
• Comprehensive medical & dental plans
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid annual and sick leave
• Paid state and federal holidays
• Employer-paid life insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility

Contact Information

Name: Dominique M. Fisher

Phone: 804-524-5075

Email: dfisher@vsu.edu

In support of the Commonwealth's commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.