ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Extension Assistant Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

nLeague

Health Office Assistant

Fayetteville, TN · On-site

$15 - $19.75/hr

Public Health Office Assistant Location: 1000 Washington St W, Fayetteville, TN 37334 Duration: 12 + Months (Possibility of Extension) Shift: 8:00 AM to 8:00 AM

nLeague

Medical Office Assistant

Columbia, TN · On-site

$30K - $37K/yr

Public Health Office Assistant Location: 1909 Hampshire Pike Columbia, Tennessee 38401 Duration: 10+ Months (Possibility of Extension)

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsExtension JobsExtension Assistant JobsExtension Assistant Jobs in Tennessee

Extension Assistant information

What are some common challenges faced by Extension Assistants when engaging with community members?

Extension Assistants often encounter challenges such as building trust with diverse community groups, adapting educational materials to different learning styles, and addressing varying levels of resource availability. Successfully navigating these challenges involves strong communication skills, cultural sensitivity, and flexibility in approach. Collaborating closely with Extension Agents, local organizations, and stakeholders is essential to ensure programs are effective and relevant to the community's needs.

What is the difference between Extension Assistant vs Extension Coordinator?

AspectExtension AssistantExtension Coordinator
Required credentialsHigh school diploma or associate degree, some certificationsBachelor’s degree, often with additional certifications
Work environmentAssisting in community programs, supporting outreach activitiesOverseeing programs, managing staff, strategic planning
Employer and industry usageCommon in agricultural and community outreach sectorsMore administrative and leadership roles within extension services

The Extension Assistant typically supports program delivery and community outreach, requiring less formal education. In contrast, the Extension Coordinator manages programs and staff, often holding higher qualifications. Both roles are vital in extension services, but they differ in responsibilities and level of oversight.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Extension Assistant, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Extension Assistant, you need a background in agriculture, education, or a related field, often supported by a bachelor's degree. Familiarity with data collection tools, presentation software, and sometimes specialized agricultural management systems is important. Strong communication, organizational skills, and the ability to build relationships with community members are vital soft skills for outreach and education. These competencies ensure effective community engagement, successful program implementation, and the dissemination of valuable information.

What are Extension Assistants?

Extension Assistants are professionals who support the work of extension agents and educators, typically within universities or government agencies. Their main role is to help deliver educational programs and resources to the public, often in areas like agriculture, youth development, family and consumer sciences, or community development. They assist with organizing events, providing information to community members, and sometimes conducting research or demonstrations. Extension Assistants play a vital part in connecting communities to the latest research and best practices. Their work helps improve the quality of life for individuals and families in their service areas.
What are the most commonly searched types of Extension jobs in Tennessee? The most popular types of Extension jobs in Tennessee are:
Extension Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Extension Assistant job openings in Tennessee as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution.

Extension Assistant, Department of Plant Sciences: UTIA

The University of Tennessee

Knoxville, TN • On-site

$16.25 - $21/hr

Full-time

Posted 28 days ago

Job description


This position will work on educational programming including content development; organization, planning and execution of workshops and demonstrations; and development of asynchronous course content management. This role will be responsible for oversight in extension programming towards improving production practices especially irrigation, and pest management in nursery crops in Tennessee. The person in this position will also coordinate applied research and demonstrations in greenhouse, nursery, and RECs. This is a hands-on position requiring work outdoors. This is a grant-funded position and is contingent upon the continued funding of the grant.
Responsibilities
  • Develops field days, workshops, and hands-on demonstrations especially those featuring irrigation, and pest management in order to achieve extension goals.
  • Developing and updating appropriate media especially on especially those featuring irrigation and pest management, i.e., publications, videos, and other educational media, including asynchronous online modules, such as writing, editing, narrating, photography, layout and design.
  • Purchase supplies associated with extension programs.
  • Evaluation of extension programming.
  • Establish, coordinate, and maintain applied research plots and activities especially related to irrigation and pest management of nursery crops in greenhouse, nurseries, orchards, and laboratory settings.
  • Planning and execution of field trial protocols to achieve applied research goals.
  • Perform various activities including transplanting, fertilizing, pruning etc. in support of applied research and demonstrations.
  • Independently collect, organize, and enter data from applied research trials in an accurate and timely manner.
  • Apply treatments accurately.
  • Document research results with photographs.
  • Purchase supplies associated with applied research.
  • Coordinate with collaborating farms and RECs.

Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
  • Education:
    • Bachelor of Science in Plant Sciences, Entomology, Plant Pathology, Biosystems Engineering, Biology, or related degree program. Applicants graduating prior to the position start date are welcome to apply.
  • Experience:
    • Two years' applied research or extension assistant experience.
  • Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
    • The candidate must possess proficient written and oral English communication skills, be self-motivated and highly organized, operate autonomously, and willing to work with a diverse group of faculty, staff, students, and producers to conduct greenhouse, field, and laboratory research under a range of environmental conditions.
    • Ability to develop graphics with iDraw or comparable software, develop digital presentations, input and manage data using Microsoft Excel.
    • Ability to prepare research reports and extension publications and online learning modules.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without need now or in the future for sponsorship for employment-based visa status.
Preferred Qualifications:
  • Education:
    • Master's degree is preferred.
  • Experience:
    • Ability to use SAS or R is desirable.
  • Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
    • Experience with Canva, Cornerstone, and software used to develop online learning modules from PowerPoint and Audible files is desired but not essential.
    • Ability to interpret statistical analysis is desired but not essential.
    • Experience working with the Omics Hub or similar lab such as to utilize a fluorometer (protocol provided) is desired but not essential.
    • Pesticide applicator license (Category 10) is desirable but not essential.

Work Location:
  • Location: 2431 Joe Johnson Drive, Knoxville, TN 37721
  • Onsite

Compensation and Benefits:
  • Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
  • Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions:
To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments. To be assured of full consideration, completed applications with all requested materials should be submitted on or before April 30, 2026.
  • Resume or CV
  • Cover letter
  • Email and phone for at least 4 Professional References
  • Official transcript(s) showing degree(s) conferred

About The College/Department/Division:
The Department of Plant Sciences, part of the Herbert College of Agriculture at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, addresses agricultural and environmental challenges through teaching, research, and Extension. We offer programs in plant sciences and landscape design, conduct research in crop production, genetics, plant physiology, and sustainable agriculture, and support growers and industry partners across Tennessee.
About Us
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees-the Volunteers-who uphold the university's tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service.
UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee's flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy's largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service.
UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices to attract and retain top-tier talent, fostering a strong staff community and supporting a culture of involvement and engagement for everyone.
The university holds a strong commitment to its land-grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as "Best Employer for New Graduates," "One of America's Best Large Employers," and "Best Workplace for Women," and has been designated as "Best Place for Working Parents" by Forbes Magazine.
Apply today and join the Tennessee Volunteer community!

Apply