Extension Agent Harris County Community and Economic Development

Agency

Department

The Extension Agent under general supervision implements and plans educational programs and activities in assigned program areas. Supports and assists in the implementation of educational programs and activities in program areas for which other staff members have assigned leadership responsibilities. The areas of focus are small business development business contracting agribusiness development community resources business financing home ownership or community organization development. The work location for this position is 13105 Northwest Fwy Suite 1000 Houston TX 77040.

This position is funded by a grant or restricted funds. Continued employment is contingent on the renewal of grant or restricted funding.

Responsibilities:

• Program Planning and Evaluation: Delivers and assists in the delivery of programs on small business lending government contracting understanding credit debt management youth entrepreneurship asset building etc.; teaches and delivers Community and Economic Development (CED) communitybased educational programs through a wide variety of teaching methods at sites throughout the geographic area served regularly; uses appropriate means to critically review and disseminate related research; plans implements and evaluates culturally competent educational programs that reach and are accessible to a wide range of audiences; plans and implements appropriate impact evaluations and reports to document program effectiveness; develops plans of work based on ongoing assessment of community needs; develops and follows a personal plan for professional development in the area of community resource development and outreach education methodology consistent with personal and organizational goals.

• Technical Assistance: Provides general assistance to entrepreneurs small business owners agribusinesses and land owners on financial resources business planning marketing budgeting efficient agribusiness practices and business development issues; provides general information on grant writing procedures and funding agencies available to nonprofit organizations; conducts regular community workshop on CED related topics.

• Community Outreach: Works with county and regional economic development agencies to incorporate local county needs into economic development plans programs and strategies; collaborates with nonprofit community organizations agencies key stakeholders civic groups local governments and other Extension staff in the region to provide a broad array of integrated and multicounty programs.

• Media Communication Outreach: Assists in the marketing and promotion of the Community and Economic Development Systems Unit by participating in internet radio blogs on various small business and community topics mass media interviews (when appropriate) and contributes to Extension publications developed on community and economic development topics.

• Participates and assists in collegewide events activities committees and performs other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelors degree in a related discipline.

• Three years of demonstrated professional experience in small business development entrepreneurship business ownership agribusiness development farmers market/Cooperative development community resources business financing home ownership or community organization development.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of word processing spreadsheet and database applications. Technical competence in appropriate subject matter and the ability to apply this knowledge to the solution of problems. Understanding of the learning and development processes of youth and adults. Knowledge of a variety of teaching methods to provide effective learning experiences.

• Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others. Strong written and oral communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Five or more years of professional experience educating individuals in the area of small business development entrepreneurship business ownership agribusiness development farmers market/Cooperative development community resources business financing home ownership or community organization development.

All positions are securitysensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation and employment is contingent upon the institutions verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institutions procedures including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.