Rhea County Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Position X2630: Extension Agent, Agriculture
County:  Rhea County
Clientele Served: Adult
Headquarters: Dayton, TN

Screening of applicants' credentials will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. 

Target Start Date: 11/1/2026

Tennessee Extension agents are teachers who work in rural, suburban and urban areas with people from all social, economic, racial and ethnic backgrounds. Our classrooms are everywhere...anywhere a person can learn. The classroom may be the county Extension office, an auditorium, an agribusiness firm, a farm, a suburban garden plot or the family home. Agents also use newspapers, radio, television, web sites, and direct mail (or email) as techniques to reach Tennesseans with the latest research information to improve their lives.

Required Qualifications (External Applicants)

• Bachelor's degree in Agriculture, Natural Resources, or closely related field is required.

• Applicants must have either a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.7 on a 4.0 point scale, a minimum of 3.0 during their senior year of undergraduate study, or must have earned a Master's degree. Preference will be given to applicants with a MS Degree, and/or work experience in a related field. Applicants graduating prior to the position start date are welcome to apply.

• A complete application package will include a 1) letter of interest, 2) resume or curriculum vitae, and 3) official or unofficial transcripts showing degree(s) conferred.

• 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.

Required Qualifications (Internal Applicants)

Request for transfer may be approved if applicant: 

• Has normally been employed with Extension in their current location a minimum of eighteen (18) months. 
• Has a performance rating of satisfactory or above for the previous eighteen (18) months; and 
• Training appropriate for the assignment.
• Attach a complete application package which includes a 1) letter of interest, 2) a resume or curriculum vitae, 3) and official or unofficial transcripts showing degree(s) conferred. 

UT Extension 
212 D Morgan Hall 
Knoxville, TN 37996-4525

Phone: (865) 974-7245
Website: http://utextension.tennessee.edu

Work Location 

• On-Site at the UT Extension office in Dayton, Tennessee.

Compensation and Benefits

• Starting Salary Based on Education & Experience

• Salary: Commensurate with training and experience. This position is funded jointly by UT Extension and Rhea County. Rhea County Government funds 26% of the position salary and benefits costs.

• Benefits: Group hospitalization and life insurance; State Retirement; Workers' Compensation; sick and annual leave; numerous University of Tennessee and state benefits programs, including liberal time off for holidays, and longevity pay after three years of service; reimbursement for official travel. Find more information on UT Benefits here.

Application Instructions 

For best consideration applicants should submit the below materials immediately

• 1) letter of interest, 2) a resume or curriculum vitae, 3) and official or unofficial transcripts showing degree(s) conferred.

About The Division 

UT Extension provides a gateway to the University of Tennessee as the outreach unit of the Institute of Agriculture. It is a statewide educational organization, funded by federal, state and local governments, that brings research-based information about agriculture, family and consumer sciences, and resource development to the people of Tennessee where they live and work. 

• Plan, execute, and evaluate programs in the areas of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

• Keep abreast of the latest information in Agriculture, Marketing and Community Economic Development to meet the educational needs of the county.

• Establish and maintain good working relationships with Extension staff, commercial producers, agri-business, agricultural agencies, and general public.

• Develop a cadre of supporters and volunteers to aid in the delivery of programs.

• Secure extramural funds through grants, fee-based programs, and gifts.

• Provide accurate and timely reporting of program accomplishments and impacts into the UT Extension reporting system.

• Responsible to the County Director in all administrative and program matters.

• Provide leadership for a program of activities that meets the needs of all eligible clientele regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, religion or veteran status.

• Assume other responsibilities as assigned.