Extension Program Specialist I

Job Title

Extension Program Specialist I

Agency

Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Service

Department

Texas A&M Institute For Public Health

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

Victoria, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

Job Description Summary

The Extension Program Specialist, under general supervision, plans, coordinates, develops, implements, and evaluates educational programs and activities in chronic disease prevention and healthy lifestyle areas for the Healthy South Texas initiative. This position also supports and assists in the implementation of educational programs and activities in program areas for which other staff members have assigned leadership responsibilities. The Extension Program Specialist serves as subject matter expert in health/chronic disease prevention and utilizes expertise to fulfill the mission of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, providing support to the Extension network at the county, district, region, and state levels.

Responsibilities

People

• Supports agents with programming and content related to chronic disease prevention and healthy lifestyles through program planning meetings, individual consultation, site visits with clientele, speaking at educational programs, and in other educational roles.

• Contributes to faculty/staff training and assistance, as needed, and serves as a resource to other faculty and staff.

Programs

• Using research and best-practice approaches, identifies, develops, and evaluates high-profile, effective, and culturally appropriate community chronic disease prevention and healthy lifestyle educational programs.

• Develops, implements, and evaluates innovative educational health programs, resources, and materials that meet program outcome objectives for Healthy South Texas.

• Uses various communication tools to disseminate subject matter information to Extension clientele, including social media, web applications, blogs, videos, news articles, and technical fact sheets.

• Develops and implements evaluation strategies to assess outcomes of Healthy South Texas educational programs and demonstrate evidence of program impacts (i.e., knowledge gain, behavior change, adoption of new technologies and best practices, economic impact) as measured by well-designed program evaluations.

• Provides leadership for Extension health and wellness programs with a specific emphasis on strategies for weight management and healthy meal preparation.

• Determines and understands the needs and interests of targeted audiences for effective program delivery.

Partnerships

• Collaborates with Texas A&M Health Science Center staff on Healthy South Texas activities.

• Works cooperatively with program partners and other external groups to advance organizational goals.

• Coordinates agency activities with appropriate units and individuals to increase efficiency and effectiveness.

• Contributes to professional and industry organizations through membership, attendance and service.

• Provides timely and effective coordination, cooperation, and scheduling of activities with colleagues and personnel within Extension and across AgriLife, including but not limited to District Extension Administrators, Regional Program Leaders, Associate Department Heads/Program Leaders, other departmental or unit faculty/staff, County Extension Agents/staff, and AgriLife Research and College personnel.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in a related field

• Five years of related experience.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Master’s degree in public health, exercise physiology, kinesiology, health promotion, or related field relevant to position.

• Three or more years of experience in public/community health, Extension, teaching, research or related area.

• Experience utilizing distance learning technologies.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge and experience in design, implementation and evaluation of educational programs.

• Knowledge of Microsoft 365 including word processing, databases, presentation and spreadsheet applications.

• Excellent written and verbal communication, analytical, interpersonal and organizational skills.

• Ability to prioritize, manage multiple projects, and meet deadlines.

• Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others.

• Ability to work closely with diverse audiences and function effectively as a team member or leader.

• Driver’s license and reliable transportation to travel to program sites for program delivery and support.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Experience with using Canva or Adobe for designing reports and resources.

Other Requirements:

• Some travel required, including overnight travel.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer.