Position Title: Ext Dept Head

Employee Classification: Ext Dept Head

College/Division: Cooperative Extension Service

Department: 310300-EASTERN DISTRICT SUPERVISORY UNIT

Internal or External Search: External - Open to all applicants

Location: Cooperative Extension Locations

Offsite Location (if applicable): Located at Eastern District Office in Clovis, NM

Target Hourly/Salary Rate:  Commensurate with education and experience

Appointment Full-time Equivalency:  1.0

Exempt or Non-Exempt:  Exempt

Summary:  NMSU's Cooperative Extension Service provides New Mexico's citizenry and communities with effective leadership and collaboration to foster economic, educational, and community development.

Classification Summary:
The Extension Department Head supports the Cooperative Extension Service mission to provide the people of New Mexico with practical, research-based knowledge and programs to improve their quality of life.

Classification Standard Duties:
Provide leadership and support to the Eastern District staff and Agents in the development and implementation of Cooperative Extension Service policies and procedures relating to personnel issues, program and organizational priorities, budget and fiscal management.

Required Education, Experience, Certification/License, Equivalency
- Master’s degree (in hand by hire date) in Agriculture, Natural Resources, Family and Consumer Sciences, or related field. The applicant must have at least 8 years of county extension experience.
- Initiative as demonstrated by personal experience and previous employment.
- Evidence of appreciation and understanding of urban and rural communities and an interest in working with both.
- Demonstrated experience working with audiences who vary according to attributes such as race, ethnicity, socio-economic background and age; financial administrative ability as evidenced by successful experience in budget and fiscal management and resource development; administrative ability in personnel management; team building, conflict resolution, effective listening, managing change and successful negotiation.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Ability to communicate (oral, written and listening skills) as demonstrated from training experience and application materials.

Job Duties and Responsibilities
*** POSITION LOCATED AT EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE IN CLOVIS, NM***

Responsibilities:
- Implementation of overall policy and goals of NMSU ACES Extension as directed by the Associate Dean and Director of Extension.
- With other members of the Administrative team, recommend program emphases, personnel and resource allocations.
- Represent the Dean’s office on all personnel, fiscal, policy, program and other administrative matters with counties in the Eastern District.
- Provide leadership for planning, developing, implementing and evaluating Extension programs in the Eastern District by involving departments, faculty, county agents, and stakeholders.
- Responsible to the Director of Cooperative Extension Service. The District Department Head participates in administrative and policy decisions as a member of the Extension’s administrative team and College Department Head council.
- Promote CES programs within the district to meet the LEADS 2025 Equity, Inclusion and Diversity goals prioritizing the program expansion to non-traditional demographics.
- Foster collaborations and participate in activities and on research teams that support the work of the Center of Excellence in Food and Sustainable Agriculture (CESFAS)

Program Leadership:
- Using participatory management, work with County Program Directors, Agents and Department Heads as a team to ensure balanced Extension programs in their respective counties that address local and societal needs and that reflect priority activities within the NMSU ACES Extension mission.
- Act as a liaison between county faculty and other administrators and state faculty in matters such as program and policy implementation and in professional development activities.
- Work with extension administrators, specialists, County Program Directors and Agents in determining Extension program priorities and activities; in collaboration with County Program Directors, develop district budget priorities.

Partnerships:
- Strengthen working relationships between research faculty, specialists and county/area faculty and campus-based faculty across the University; working relationship with local county officials and local cities and municipalities; working relationship with Agricultural Science Centers and Extension programs in the Eastern District.
- Contribute to local, University, state and federal recognition of NMSU ACES Extension as an essential education and applied research resource. Promote recognition of NMSU as a premier land-grant university.
- Contribute to the Extension profession by acting as a mentor (as appropriate) for other colleagues.
- Work with County Program Directors, Agents and Extension contacts and development staff to increase the extramural programs and projects within the Eastern District.

Administrative:
- Recommend to the CES Director county/area personnel needs and position revisions determined in cooperation with county commissioners/council members, County Program Directors and Extension Department Heads; merit ratings, salary adjustments, tenure and promotion of Agents in the district.
- Chair the search process for county/area faculty, working with the CES Director, County Program Directors, and screening committees.
- Conduct the tenure and performance reviews, selection and reappointment process for County Program Directors.
- Work with County Program Directors in the development of plans of work and performance appraisals for county/ area Agents and professional staff.
- Assure the District personnel understand and carry out the principals and specific requirements of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Affirmative Action Plan and all pertinent rules and regulations.
- Counsel County Program Directors in the development and support of county budget requests.
- Interpret state and federal budget policies/procedures to County Program Directors and encourage the development and monitoring of external grants and contracts and other entrepreneurial activities.
- Foster interdisciplinary programming efforts among program areas, disciplines, colleges, counties and the District.

Relationships:
- Maintain effective working relationships with County Commissioners, and members of advisory boards. Promote effective communications and working relations with Extension personnel in counties and other university personnel, the public, local/state elected and appointed officials, other groups and agencies, industry and the media.
- Promote teamwork and regional “networking” in communicating and working with county, regional and state Cooperative Extension, staff, faculty, Department Heads, and the CES Director.
- Stimulate excellence in regional staff through promotion, motivation, encouragement and a demonstrated commitment to people.

Preferred Qualifications

- Ph.D or EdD in Agriculture, Natural Resources, Family Consumer Sciences or closely related field from and accredited University.
- Demonstrated ability to provide leadership in program planning, implementation and evaluation; effectiveness in oral and written communication to a variety of audiences; personal supervision and participatory management skills.
- Evidence of sensitivity to and success in working with a diverse range of individuals, groups and organizations.
- Ability to garner increased resources through grants, contracts and gifts.
- Computer proficiency and the ability to use and promote the use of electronic and audio/visual communications technologies to develop and deliver educational materials and programming.

Special Requirements of the Position
Ability to travel year-round. Extension faculty is hired into the organization not into a specific geographical location. It is possible that future circumstances may require relocation.

Department Contact:  Tom Dean, 575-646-2584, tdean@nmsu.edu

Contingent Upon Funding: Not Applicable

Bargaining Unit Eligibility: This is NOT a bargaining unit position with American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

Standard Work Schedule: Standard (M-F, 8-5)

If Not a Standard Work Schedule: 

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

Environment: Work involves moderate exposure to unusual elements, such as extreme temperatures, dirt, dust, fumes, smoke, unpleasant odors, and/or loud noises.

Physical Effort: Moderate physical activity.

Lifting Requirements: Requires handling of average-weight objects up to 25 pounds or standing and/or walking for more than four (4) hours per day.

Risk: Work environment involves some exposure to hazards or physical risks, which require following basic safety precautions.