Shawnee County Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agent

Extension agents are professional educators, community connectors and innovators who serve as a link between Kansas State University and communities across Kansas. Agents are jointly responsible to the director of KState Extension (represented by a designated administrator) and the local extension board.

• Lead the development, delivery, and evaluation of research-based educational programming for producers, landowners, and emerging agricultural audiences on topics including small-acreage management, livestock, grazing, soil health, conservation, water quality, wildlife and woodland management, specialty crops, risk management, and other emerging agricultural issues.
• Develop and coordinate youth livestock and agricultural education programs in partnership with the Shawnee County 4-H Youth Development program, including YQCA training, livestock weigh-ins, the Shawnee County Livestock Spring Show, and hands-on learning opportunities that promote agricultural literacy, responsible animal care, leadership, and workforce readiness.
• Identify local agricultural needs and build partnerships to address emerging issues by engaging producers, commodity groups, stakeholders, agencies, university faculty, specialists, and industry experts; coordinating educational resources and programs on issues such as farm succession, agricultural policy, and stress management.
• Share responsibility for community vitality programming that helps our communities become better places to live, work, and play by strengthening social, civic, economic, and technological capacity through leadership development and civic engagement.
• Successful extension programs require agents to:
  
  
  
  • Identify local needs and emerging issues related to KState Research and Extension's five critical issues (water and natural resources; community vitality; health; developing tomorrow's leaders; and global food systems) by engaging with program development committees and other community organizations and professionals.
  • Design appropriate educational strategies to respond to emerging needs and engage clientele by aligning with the imperatives of the KState Next-Gen Strategic Plan. Strategies might include educational programming in a community-based setting; events and activities that provide experiential learning opportunities; use of innovative technologies; individual educational consultations; and group facilitation.
  • Collaborate with local partners to meet community and programmatic needs.
  • Recruit and manage volunteers to further the reach and impact of programming.
  • Develop and implement strategies to serve all community audiences.
  • Collect and communicate evidence of educational program impact.
  • Cultivate expertise in a subject matter competency area by engaging as a member of a Program Focus Team.
  
  
  
  
• Pursue internal and external funding to support educational programming.
• Serve as a member of the Shawnee County team, cooperating in the planning and delivery of county-wide programming and related events.
• Primary responsibility is small farms and resource management programming.

K-State Extension connects Kansans to research-based information and education that helps individuals, families, businesses and communities thrive. It is a partnership between Kansas State University and federal, state, and county governments. Through local extension offices, K-State Extension provides practical solutions and programs in areas such as agriculture, health, youth development, and community vitality. Learn more at extension.k-state.edu.

Extension agents are Kansas State University faculty working throughout the state to serve the needs of local communities.

This position is On-site.This agent will serve the people of Shawnee County. The Shawnee County Extension office is in Topeka, KS.

Shawnee County's extension office is in Topeka. It serves the people of Auburn, Berryton, Dover, Rossville, Silver Lake, Topeka and all the county's rural areas. The extension office employs six agents, two office professionals and two program assistants who serve the county's approx.178,000 residents. The county has about 201,662 acres in farms, with operations ranging from row crops to livestock production. Major crops include soybeans, corn for grain, and wheat. Livestock production is diverse, featuring cattle and calves as the leading category, along with swine, poultry, sheep, goats, and horses.

This position will require occasional overnight travel and is expected to host and attend events during some evenings and weekends. Reimbursement for travel and subsistence related to achieving program objectives will be provided.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree.
• Academic coursework, professional development, or prior employment related to the position responsibilities.
• Evidence of strong academic and/or professional performance, as documented by college transcripts or documented success in increasingly responsible professional positions.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with individuals, groups, and through mass media.

Licenses and certifications:

• Must have access to a personal vehicle and the ability to obtain/maintain a valid driver's license.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Two or more years of professional experience.
• Master's degree.
• Understanding of educational program design, promotion, implementation, and evaluation.
• Experience with volunteer recruitment, support, and management.
• Knowledge of adult and youth teaching/learning processes.
• Education, experience or interest in youth livestock programming.
• Experience seeking and administering external grant funding.

Skills and attributes:

• Commitment to personal and professional development.
• Competence using electronic communication and computer applications to fulfill programming responsibilities.
• Self-motivation and ability to work with minimal supervision while balancing multiple projects.
• Skills in group facilitation.
• Ability to communicate effectively with both English and Spanish-speaking learners.

Additional Role Information:

• This role will require the ability to work with people from various backgrounds and a commitment to supporting and enhancing KState's initiative for access and opportunity.
• Extension agents work a flexible schedule which will include nights, weekends, and overnight travel.

Sponsorship eligibility:

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship.

Please submit the following documents:

• a cover letter,
• a resume,
• and a copy of academic transcripts showing degree(s) received.
  
  
  
  • an unofficial transcript is sufficient.
  
  
  
  

You will also be asked to provide the names and email addresses of three professional references.

Applications close on: December 3, 2026

Interviews will be held on December 17, 2026; selected candidates will be notified by December 11.

$47,500-$60,000