Associate Extension Agent, Agriculture & Natural Resources Franklin County

Job Description

This position is housed in Franklin County Virginia the Commonwealths fourth highest dairy producing county. Franklin County was founded in 1785 and the town of Rocky Mount serves as the county seat. The county has a rich agricultural heritage and tradition. Local attractions include Booker T. Washington National Monument Ferrum College the Blue Ridge Parkway the Crooked Road Music Trail Smith Mountain Lake and abundant recreational and cultural opportunities. For more information on Franklin County visit:

The position requires basic knowledge of animal nutrition health animal care; production and financial management; marketing; and biotechnology developments. Provides dairy management expertise and is responsible for developing dairy educational programs to enhance sustainability of Virginias dairy industry in a multicounty area. Maintains a level of expertise that compliments the dairy industry mission and goals.

Agents provide current research based information to citizens by employing various delivery methods targeted to broad audiences; works closely with producers agribusiness community leaders Extension Leadership Councils and appropriate agents and specialists to identify and prioritize issues problems and opportunities; uses farm and business visits as a means to remain knowledgeable of specific local needs and problems related to agricultural production marketing and environmental protection; fosters communication among agricultural producers marketers processors and consumers; maintains a high level of proficiency in subject matter field by participating in in-service training and professional activities; works closely with citizens and local state and federal officials to aid Virginia in preparing and responding to natural or other emergencies and disasters.

Extension agents recognize the importance of developing and delivering Extension programs that serve a broad range of communities actively working to expand program participation and adhering to VCEs civil rights policies to ensure compliance with state and federal law. The person in the position is expected to travel to provide in-person leadership and to build community partnerships with few exceptions for telework.

Virginia Tech is unable to sponsor applicants for work visas for this vacancy.

Required Qualifications

Must have a minimum of a Bachelors Degree (BA or BS) in a relevant discipline from an accredited college or university; a masters degree and promotion to Extension Agent are required no later than the sixth year of employment; demonstrated ability to recruit select train and manage volunteers; demonstrated ability to lead groups plan implement facilitate teach and evaluate educational information programs; knowledge and use of computer technology in educational programming and management; excellent communication and presentation skills; ability to work effectively with all audiences; ability to work with minimal supervision in an unstructured setting.

Preferred Qualifications

A masters degree and commercial agriculture experience preferred;

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Regular

Salary Information

$45000 - $65000

Hours per week

40

Review Date

October 31 2025

Additional Information

The successful candidate will be required to have a drivers license check with an acceptable and safe driving record.

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its mottoUt Prosim(That I May Serve) Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world Virginia Tech is aninclusive communitydedicated to knowledge discovery and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36000 undergraduate graduate and professional students in eightundergraduate colleges aschool of medicine aveterinary medicinecollegeGraduate School andHonors College.The university has a significant presence across Virginia including Blacksburg the greater Washington D.C. area the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke sites in Newport News and Richmond and numerousExtension officesandresearch institutes.A leading global research institution Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.