"Associate Dean and Director of SDSU Extension"

Posting Details

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Institution
South Dakota State University

Working Title
Associate Dean and Director of SDSU Extension

Posting Number
NFE02877P

Department
SDSU-Extension

Physical Location of Position (City)
Brookings

Posting Text

South Dakota State University (SDSU) is seeking a visionary leader to serve as Associate Dean and Director of SDSU Extension. This key role provides statewide leadership for SDSU Extension, guiding strategic programming, fostering responsive outreach, and ensuring public accountability. Housed within the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences, the position collaborates across three academic colleges and oversees statewide Extension efforts—including leadership of South Dakota 4-H. The Associate Dean and Director reports directly to the Dean of the College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences. This position is located in Brookings, South Dakota and is a 12-month, full-time, benefits-eligible position.

As the outreach arm of our state’s 1862 land-grant institution, South Dakota State University, SDSU Extension provides farmers, ranchers, agri-business people, communities, families and youth with the research-based information they need to succeed. SDSU Extension meets the changing needs of South Dakotans with progressive outreach services, ranging from one-on-one interaction and forums to 24/7 online access through our website, extension.sdstate.edu. SDSU Extension organizes program outreach across 4 program areas: Agriculture and Natural Resources, Food and Families, Community Vitality and 4-H Youth Development.

Must be authorized to work in the U.S. Sponsorship is not available for this position.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead the development and delivery of innovative, research-based Extension programs that meet the needs of South Dakotans;
• Promote a shared vision of service and opportunity for all across all SDSU Extension appointments;
• Represent and advocate for SDSU Extension at local, state, and national levels;
• Collaborate with university leadership, faculty, stakeholders, and partners to align outreach with research and teaching;
• Oversee budget planning and resource allocation for a $20 million Extension system;
• Supervise and support SDSU Extension faculty and staff; and
• Build strong relationships with community members, commodity groups and elected officials to guide statewide program priorities.

BENEFITS:
SDState offers a wide range of excellent benefits including medical, dental, and flexible benefits, retirement plans, compensation packages, paid holidays, and vacation leave. We offer a generous retirement plan that includes 6% matching, 10 hours of annual leave each month, 9.34 hours of sick leave each month, and eleven paid holidays. Employees also have access to internal and state-sponsored training as well as reduced tuition for state-supported courses at all State of South Dakota academic institutions. Relocation benefits are available per university’s guidelines.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Terminal degree (PhD, DVM, EdD, or similar) Agriculture, Natural Resources, Education, Counseling, Human Development, Community Development, Consumer Sciences, Health Sciences, Nutrition, Economics, or a related field;
• Ability to provide effective administrative leadership;
• Experience in personnel and fiscal management;
• Knowledge of and minimum of 5 years experience in land-grant university systems;
• Experience in outreach programming; and
• Valid driver’s license or ability to obtain within 30 days.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience in academic budget preparations and management;
• Experience in seeking public and private funds; and
• Commitment to university-wide outreach programming.

APPLICATION PROCESS:
This system will guide you through the electronic application form. This employment site will also require the attachment of a cover letter, which should specifically address how the candidate meets the qualifications as outlined in the advertisement, resume, and a reference page with the contact information for three professional references. Email applications will not be accepted. Please contact SDSU Human Resources at (605) 688-4128 if you require assistance with this process.

Any offer of employment is contingent on the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by law and/or university policies, including but not limited to, successful completion of a criminal background check.

SDSU is a tobacco free environment. It is the policy of the University to maintain a drug-free environment and to thereby establish, promote, and maintain a safe and healthy working and learning environment for employees and students. This position is subject to South Dakota State University’s Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy 4:14.

Posting Date
10/15/2025

Closing Date

Open Until Filled
Yes

First Consideration Date
12/01/2025

Advertised Salary
The minimum starting salary for this position is $188,000. Salary is contingent upon qualifications.

Duration of the Term
12 months

Appointment Percent
100

Work Hours

Normal office hours are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Evening and weekend commitments are frequent in in this position, including some holidays (e.g. the South Dakota State Fair is on Labor Day weekend). Responsibilities in overseeing the entire SDSU Extension system may require 24 hour remote availability in some emergency situations.

Appointment Type
Regular

Faculty Status
Yes

Scope of Search
External (includes Internal)

This position requires
Travel, Overnight stays, Weekends/Holidays, Valid Drivers License

Department Description and Cultural Expectations

SDState is the state’s largest, most comprehensive university with over $84 million annual research expenditures, more than 200 academic programs and an enrollment of approximately 12,000 students. The university is part of a dynamic community for families, students, young professionals, and retirees, which offers an abundance of attractions and activities.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

South Dakota State University promotes access to and opportunities for all to receive the benefit of and participate in education, research, and service and is especially interested in candidates that can contribute to this land-grant access mission. SDSU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to, and SDSU prohibits unlawful discrimination of all legally protected classes in the offering of all educational programs and employment. Arrangements for accommodations required by disabilities can be made by emailing HR@sdstate.edu. Individuals with concerns regarding discrimination should contact: Equal Opportunity Officer/Title IX Coordinator, Human Resources, Morrill Hall 100, SDSU, Brookings, SD 57007. Phone: (605) 688-4128.

Contact Information

For questions on the position, contact search committee chair, Dr. Jessica Meendering, at (605) 688-5949 or jessica.meendering@sdstate.edu.

Working Conditions

Cognitive Requirements
Analyzing, Comprehend, Frequent Change, Intense Customer Interaction, Logic, Memory, Multiple Priorities, Multiple Stimuli, Pace-fast, Perform calculations, Reading, Reasoning, Verbal Communication, Written Communication

Physical Requirements
Bending, Stooping, Twisting, Carrying, Climbing Stairs, Driving, Fine Finger Manipulation (keyboarding, pipefitting, bench work, etc), Lifting light, Pushing/Pulling, Sitting for sustained periods of time, Standing for sustained periods of time, Use Both Hands, Walking

Typical office physical requirements, transporting and setting-up materials for off-site meetings, walking/driving/flying to and from meetings

Sensory Requirements
Hearing, Speaking, Vision (With and without corrective lenses)

Working Conditions & Exposures
Changes of Temperature, Extreme Heat >100F, Extreme Weather Conditions (wind, rain, snow, humidity), Walking/Standing on rough or uneven surfaces (gravel, rocks, etc), Walking/Standing on wood, metal or concrete, Exposure to Dust

Administrative duties include oversight of indoor and outdoor environments

Working Environment
Office Environment

When attending Extension events the employee may be exposed for brief periods of time to animal facilities, animal research farms, classroom environments, farm or grassland environments, greenhouse environments and outdoor environments.

Documents Needed to Apply

Required Documents

1. Resume
2. Cover Letter
3. Reference List