Extension Assistant

TITLE: Extension Assistant

DEPARTMENT: College of Agriculture, Community, and the Sciences 

REPORTS TO: Principal Investigator

EFFECTIVE DATE: Position will remain open until filled

EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Full-time 

EMPLOYMENT CLASSIFICATION: Non-Exempt

 Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States. At this time, Kentucky State University is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa.

Internal Candidates are Encouraged to Apply

PRINCIPAL PURPOSE OF JOB:  The Extension Assistant in the Kentucky State University (KSU) Land Grant Program and College of Agriculture, Community and the Sciences will assist fulfilling the objectives of the Capacity Building Grant entitled Enhancing Agriculture and Educational Opportunities for Youth and Teachers in Kentucky. The successful candidate will assist with the development, organization, and conducting of educational workshops for students and teachers in areas of environmental education and natural resource conservation and assist with developing and maintaining educational facilities.

SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITY: The Extension Assistant will support existing Research and Cooperative Extension programming and collaborate with program staff to fulfill the objectives of the Capacity Building Grant titled Enhancing Agriculture and Educational Opportunities for Youth and teachers in Kentucky.

The goals of the grant are to: 1) provide hands-on demonstration opportunities that exposes students to state-of-the-art equipment and cutting-edge technology; 2) create an ADA-compliant braille trail at the Environmental Education and Research Center (EERC) that will provide unique learning opportunities to individuals with physical impairments or developmental disabilities; 3) create hands-on professional development opportunities for teachers in both agriculture and environmental science; 4) inform students of post-secondary educational opportunities in the College of Agriculture, Communities, and the Environment at KSU. This position will address these goals through scheduling and conducting Agricultural and Environmental Education programs, creating and maintaining an educational laboratory space for the project, and assisting in maintenance and programing of the Braille Trail that has already been completed.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: 

The Extension Assistant will serve as a contact for programs and activities including Environmental Education Programs for students and educators

1. Provides hands-on demonstration opportunities that expose students to state-of-the-art equipment and cutting-edge technology.
2. Maintain an ADA-compliant braille trail at the Environmental Education and Research Center (EERC) that will provide unique learning opportunities to individuals with physical impairments or developmental disabilities.
3. Create hands-on professional development opportunities for teachers in both agriculture and environmental science.
4. Inform students of post-secondary educational opportunities in the College of Agriculture, Communities, and the Environment at KSU.
5. Interact spontaneously with visitors and staff to ensure an inviting atmosphere for the facility, answering visitor questions and providing assistance to guests when needed.
6. Travel to schools, project sites, and meetings statewide, as needed.
7. Other related duties as assigned.

OTHER DUTIES: 

The position will conduct other duties as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Biology, or a related discipline. One to three years of experience working in the field of environmental education, environmental science, or related disciplines.

LICENSING AND CERTIFICATIONS:  Must have or be willing to acquire KAEE Membership and Environmental Education Facilitator Certifications (WET, WILD, PLT, etc.).

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES:            

• Knowledge in the field of environmental education.
• Prior experience teaching K-12 students in informal or formal settings.
• Must have the ability to lead groups over rough terrain and be able to work both cooperatively and independently.
• Demonstrated ability to promote and respect diversity of ethnic, cultural, linguistic backgrounds and, physical and mental disabilities.
• Ability to use a personal computer and a variety of related software applications.  
• Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to build and maintain forest trails.
• Experience with and ability to implement natural areas management, wildlife habitat management, or land management practices in an outdoor setting.
• Ability to establish and maintain a positive work environment and effective working relationships.
• Ability to travel statewide as necessary.
• Initiative, resourcefulness, punctuality, and ability to work independently and with a team are essential.

• Ability to work outdoors in adverse conditions for multiple hours at a time.

• Ability to lift and carry 50 lbs.
• Valid driver’s license.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Work will frequently involve exposure to outdoor and indoor conditions. This could involve exposure to unusual elements such as high and low temperatures, rain, snow, dirt, pollen, dust, fumes, smoke, unpleasant odors, fuel, herbicides, and/or loud noises.
• Working non-traditional hours on occasion, including evening and weekend hours. 

• Work will involve exposure to poisonous plants, stinging insects, ticks, snakes, and similar wildlife.
• Requires standing, walking, and hiking in cold, hot, wet, and dry conditions in difficult terrain.

• No or very limited exposure to physical risk.
• Frequent travel during work hours and occasionally overnight travel within Kentucky required.

Internal Candidates are Encouraged to Apply

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States. At this time, Kentucky State University is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa

KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY is an Equal Opportunity Employer

The functions, qualifications, knowledge/skills, and physical requirements listed in this job description represent the essential duties of the job, which the incumbent must be able to perform either with or without reasonable accommodation. The Job Functions listed do not necessarily include all activities that the individual may perform.