Job Information
Iowa State University Community and Economic Development Extension Specialist III in United States
Position Title:Community and Economic Development Extension Specialist III
Job Group:Professional & Scientific
Required Minimum Qualifications:Bachelor's degree and 5 years of related experience
Special Required QualificationsDrivers License
Preferred Qualifications:Experience with curriculum development
Experience with adult education
Strong knowledge in tourism-related programming
Experience with grant writing
Experience facilitating processes such as focus groups, surveying, strategic planning, asset mapping, or related experience
Job Description:
Are you looking for an opportunity where you get to help improve communities? Do you enjoy working a strong, collaborative team environment?
If so, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is currently seeking applicants for a Community and Economic Development Extension Specialist III!
CED Extension Specialists work within the Knowledge Teams of the CED program unit – teams comprised of faculty and specialists throughout the state – to identify system needs, develop educational curricula, deliver educational programs, and provide facilitation, consultation, and technical assistance to various audiences throughout Iowa. The successful candidate will be a member of one of the CED teams and will work and collaborate with members of all CED teams.
The candidate will:
Develop and deliver innovative and comprehensive tourism educational programming, such as CED’s First Impressions, Certified Guide Training, and Customer Service programs; conduct program evaluation, and report outcomes.
Assist team members in the development and delivery of other community and economic development programs that meet the local needs of Iowa communities.
Network and collaborate with city and county governments, nonprofits, educational institutions, regional councils of governments, and others in Iowa to assess educational needs, conduct effective cooperative educational efforts, and provide tourism and community development subject matter support to build community capacity.
Secure resources (contracts, grants, fees) to support programming.
The successful candidate will possess tourism expertise and experience in areas such as community assessment, visitor and resident recruitment, agritourism, interpretation, and community storytelling. The role requires strong presentation skills, the ability to provide informed responses to questions, and the capacity to share relevant resources effectively. A commitment to ongoing professional development and a keen awareness of emerging tourism trends are essential.
Additional experience in grant writing, facilitation (including strategic and action planning), leadership curricula or programs, and local government programing is beneficial. Exceptional analytical, public relations, and written and verbal communication skills are required to effectively represent community economic development programs and outreach to the public. The candidate will be able to prioritize multiple ongoing tasks concurrently to ensure immediate deadlines are met. Outstanding organizational skills and strong attention to detail will be needed to be effective in this role.
This individual will have statewide responsibilities. Statewide travel will be required in this role.
The primary office location for this position will be a county extension office in the state of Iowa and the location will be dependent on the successful candidate and office availability.
This is a two-year, fixed term position with the opportunity for renewal.
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an on-going basis without sponsorship.
Level Guidelines• Senior-level position possessing high-level professional and/or technical skills working independently under minimal supervision to support ISU’s mission and department or work unit goals• Applies senior-level professional knowledge and expertise to work requiring greater latitude• Solves moderately complex problems and regularly exercises judgment to determine appropriate action• Regularly exercises judgment to resolve problems and determine appropriate action on a broad set of issue and problems. May provide recommendations regarding problems/issues outside the bounds of defined procedures and practices• Responds to complicated inquiries, provides training, and provides direction to lower-level staff• May provide supervision for one to two other staff (i.e., leads a small work team)• May lead projects for which well-defined practices and procedures may not exist• Provides guidance to students
Appointment Type:Regular with Term Appointment (Fixed Term)
Proposed End Date or Length of Term:January 19, 2027
Number of Months Employed Per Year:12 Month Work Period
Time Type:Full time
Pay Grade:PS810
Application Instructions:To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following: 1) Resume/Curriculum Vitae 2) Letter of Application/Cover Letter If you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485. Why Choose ISU? Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental; as well as: • Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans • Generous vacation, holiday and sick time and leave plans • Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa) • Life insurance and long-term disability • Flexible Spending Accounts • Various voluntary benefits and discounts • Employee Assistance Program • Wellbeing program • Iowa State offers WorkFlex options for some positions. WorkFlex offers flexibility on when, where, and how you do your work. For more information, please speak with the Hiring Manager.
Original Posting Date: December 23, 2024
Posting Close Date:January 15, 2025
Job Requisition Number:R16115
By focusing on the future and providing the best student experience possible, Iowa State attracts students and faculty who want to make a difference. With a comprehensive land-grant mission of education, research, extension and outreach, we produce scholars whose ideas change the world. And through Innovate at Iowa State , we provide innovative and entrepreneurial opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Located just 30 minutes north of Des Moines, the city of Ames was recently named one of the Top 10 cities in the U.S. for campus life and career opportunities.
Iowa State University is a welcoming, global, and culturally diverse community of students, faculty, and staff. Campus community members have a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and are committed to engaging with each other respectfully as outlined in the university's Principles of Community (https://www.iastate.edu/diversity-and-inclusion/principles-community) . Iowa State recognizes that diverse intellectual and philosophical perspectives are vital to innovation, critical thinking skills, and a dynamic academic community that fosters the land-grant ideals of putting science, technology, and human creativity to work.
All offers of employment, oral and written, are contingent upon the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by federal and state law, ISU policies/procedures, and may include the completion of a background check and/or a consumer credit check.
Iowa State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, marital status, disability, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against. Inquiries can be directed to the Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, 515 294-7612, email eooffice@iastate.edu .
If you have questions about the application process please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll-Free at 1-877-477-7485 . Iowa State University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should email employment@iastate.edu or call (515) 294-4800 or Toll-Free: (877) 477-7485 . TTY users are welcome to use the Iowa Relay Service number by dialing 7-1-1 or (800) 735-2942 .
General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources (https://www.hr.iastate.edu/careers/compensation) website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.
