Extension Agent-Financial Management

Overview

Extending knowledge, improving lives! Make an impact in your community and in the lives of Alabamians.

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System is seeking qualified applicants that have expertise in family or consumer economics, personal finance, non-profit, housing (real estate) or a closely-related discipline.

Must have a passion for sharing knowledge with others! The selected candidate will be responsible for delivering research-based educational programs on financial and household management for consumers throughout southeast Alabama.

This position is a 100% non-faculty Extension assignment covering multiple counties. The Agent will be housed in one of the Extension offices located in the following counties: Madison, DeKalb, or Cherokee County.

Geographic Area

Northeast Alabama – Human Sciences Extension Program (Madison, Marshall, DeKalb, Cullman, Blount, Etowah, Jackson, and Cherokee County)

Extension Agent Role

The Extension Agent (EA) is a regional-based professional of ACES who represents the research-based programs and resources available through Auburn University and Alabama A&M University. EAs work collaboratively with County Extension Coordinators, other regional agents, state specialists, and clientele to address identified community needs and opportunities. Needs and opportunities are addressed by developing, implementing, and evaluating basic financial capability and household management programs and strategies. Desired areas of expertise are family or consumer economics, personal finance, non-profit studies, housing, or a closely-related discipline.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for identifying and addressing critical issues and opportunities for improving individual and family financial and household resource management skills and behaviors.
• Cooperate, collaborate, and communicate with County Extension Directors, County Commissions, extension agents, and state specialists regarding county and regional projects.
• Maintain a positive working relationship with staff and clients.
• Assist in developing, implementing, and evaluating priority and secondary programs in response to identified county, regional, and state needs.
• Develop quality, research-based educational materials to support programming.
• Secure resources (volunteers, contracts, grants, fees, and donations) to support identified needs at the county and regional levels.
• Develop a plan of work that is equitable in meeting the needs of the various counties and populations and supports the team’s program priorities.
• Establish, organize, facilitate, and maintain community partnerships, networks, and coalitions at the local and regional levels to multiply efforts and to bring added value to ACES clients.
• Target audiences for educational programs addressing critical issues identified in plan of work.
• Conduct promotional efforts to expand the public’s knowledge of extension programming.
• Demonstrate personal interest and involvement in the community by participating in civic/community activities and organizations and networking with community leaders.
• Function as an effective educator and credible resource using innovative and creative approaches, including social media.
• Evaluate priority programs and complete system reports, develop impact statements from evaluation findings, and distribute those statements to inform and educate the public and key stakeholders about observed program outcomes.
• In accordance with ACES guidelines, follow appropriate fiscal management for programmatic needs. Appropriately administer the materials and financial resources of ACES.
• Implement ACES Civil Rights/Equal Opportunity plan and ensure that clientele understand that ACES offers its educational programs, assistance, and materials to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, or protected veteran status.
• Participate in professional education development, in-service training, professional organizations, and other development opportunities.
• Maintain a professional image.

Qualifications

• Level I: Bachelor’s degree and zero (0) years of experience required.
• Level II: Bachelor’s degree AND four (4) years of experience implementing, managing, or delivering educational programs in a relevant discipline, including formal and/or informal teaching methods. OR Master’s degree AND two (2) years of experience.
• Level III: Bachelor’s degree AND eight (8) years of experience implementing, managing, or delivering educational programs in a relevant discipline, including formal and/or informal teaching methods. OR Master’s degree AND six (6) years of experience.
• Level IV: Bachelor’s degree AND twelve (12) years of experience implementing, managing, or delivering educational programs in a relevant discipline, including formal and/or informal teaching methods. OR Master’s degree AND ten (10) years of experience.

License and Certification: Drivers licenses upon hire required.

Desired Qualifications: Master’s degree in consumer economics, financial planning, business, housing, or a related field from an accredited institution.