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 Qualifications

Drivers 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 CEDs 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 ISUs 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

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