Regional Community Vitality Extension Specialist

Kansas State University Extension Programs is seeking a Regional Community Vitality Extension Specialist focused on Community Coaching. Based in Phillipsburg at the Huck Boyd Community Center, this specialist will shape the regional coaching ecosystem by providing transformational leadership, strategic guidance, and technical support for Extension professionals, local units, coalitions, and community leaders.

The specialist will serve as a connector between grassroots community efforts, local Extension offices, and campus partners. They will champion evidence-informed coaching models that equip community organizations and emerging initiatives to build local capacity from grassroots beginnings through long-term organizational sustainability.

Statewide Curriculum, Training & Resource Development

Team Leadership: Establish and lead a specialized Community Coaching Team consisting of local unit agents, regional specialists, and campus partners to develop a robust, statewide coaching curriculum adhering to K-State publication standards.

Resource Creation: Create practical, highly accessible community tools, diagnostic guides, and training modules designed for use by communities of varying capacity, including rural towns, underserved groups, and emerging coalitions.

Agent & Volunteer Development: In collaboration with system-wide volunteer specialists and local agents, design and lead structured professional development on volunteer recruitment, onboarding, retention, volunteer management, succession planning, and board/coalition leadership.

Framework Instruction: Apply and teach evidence-informed community development approaches, including appreciative inquiry, community capitals, and other asset-based frameworks.

Regional Community Coaching, Field Support & Programming

Core Community Coaching: Coach Extension professionals, community coalitions, and civic leaders through community assessment, visioning, goal setting, strategic planning, initiative implementation, evaluation, and long-term sustainability.

Local Unit Collaboration: Partner directly with local Extension units through both in-person and remote coaching to proactively identify and address regional programming gaps via stakeholder-driven networks and localized initiatives.

Program Implementation: Guide regional local units through all state-level Community Vitality program rollouts, facilitation frameworks, and coalition-building processes.

Impact Evaluation & Data: Facilitate and streamline the collection of community coaching data, utilizing Program Evaluation and Reporting System (PEARS) reporting alongside community feedback and stakeholder input to demonstrate measurable impact and continually refine programming.

Partnerships, Sustainability & Professional Development

Strategic Partnerships: Actively engage in regional and statewide networking to build multi-sector collaborations and expand programming across the region.

Multi-Dimensional Sustainability: Support local units and regional initiatives in building long-term community ownership, leadership pipelines, cross-sector partnerships, and organizational resilience.

External Funding Support: Identify and pursue appropriate grant, partnership, and cost-recovery opportunities that support sustainable programming, assisting local units with grant readiness and extramural proposal development.

Credentialing & Field Presence: Maintain active coaching credentials, participate in statewide Extension teams, and maintain a visible, engaged presence across regional communities.

K-State Extension improves Kansans' lives, livelihoods and communities through education, research, engagement and leadership. With scientists, educators and volunteers in each of the state's 105 counties, our professionals strive to make the university's research and scientific accomplishments accessible and relevant to every household.

This position is On-site. Specialists will live and work in their designated region. This position requires regular travel throughout the region to deliver in-person community coaching, support local unit activities, and attend evening and weekend community meetings as appropriate, balanced with remote delivery tools.

All employees must reside in the United States when they begin working to comply with state law. K-State is unable to provide remote or hybrid work opportunities for residents of the state of Idaho.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A master's degree in community development, public administration, sociology, economics, education, organizational leadership, communications, rural sociology, or a closely related field appropriate to the position (or equivalent relevant professional experience where permitted by university policy).
• Excellent verbal and written English communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to design, deliver, facilitate, and evaluate community-based educational initiatives and shared community goals.
• Demonstrated experience leading collaborative teams, coaching professionals, and facilitating structured professional development.
• Demonstrated proficiency utilizing electronic communications, virtual meeting tools, educational technology, and data management systems necessary for program delivery and evaluation.
• Proven commitment to uplifting rural America, with a demonstrated ability to work effectively with rural audiences.
• Demonstrated track record of building and sustaining partnerships with external community organizations, local agencies, and civic leaders.

The degree requirement is necessary for accreditation purposes and to ensure candidates possess the specialized knowledge, skills, and abilities that can only be attained through a formal educational program at this level.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated understanding of or professional experience working within Cooperative Extension, community-based adult education, or outreach-focused institutions.
• Prior formal training or documented experience in asset-based community development, appreciative inquiry, coaching models, or community capitals frameworks.
• Demonstrated experience in volunteer management, volunteer coordination, and leadership development.
• Demonstrated success in extramural grant writing, cost-recovery initiatives, or securing partnership resources.
• Ph.D. or terminal degree in a discipline related to community vitality, organizational development, or adult education.

Additional Role Information:

• Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States at the time of employment.
• Valid driver's license at the time of employment.
• Willingness and ability to travel across the assigned multi-county region and work occasional evenings or weekends as required by community meetings and programming schedules.
• Official primary office located in Phillipsburg, Kansas.

Sponsorship eligibility:

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

Please submit the following documents:

1. Cover Letter: Detailing your professional experience related to community coaching, team leadership, curriculum development, and regional field delivery.
2. Curriculum Vitae / Resume: Highlighting relevant career accomplishments, education, and credentials.
3. Statement of Vision: A brief statement (1-2 pages) outlining your strategic vision for establishing and sustaining a regional community coaching ecosystem across diverse communities.
4. Transcripts: Copies of graduate transcripts for all completed university degrees (official transcripts required upon hire).
5. References: Names, professional titles, email addresses, and phone numbers for three professional references familiar with your direct work history.

Applications close on: October 23, 2026

Commensurate with experience and education.