Utah State Extension
Assistant Extension Director for Family and Consumer Sciences and Unit Head
Utah State Extension, Lexington, Kentucky, us, 40598
Overview
University of Kentucky, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, invites applications for the position of
Assistant Extension Director for Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) . The FCS Extension program is a statewide leader in advancing individual, family, and community well-being through research-based education and outreach programs.
Position Overview
The
Assistant Extension Director
will serve as a visionary and administrative leader in advancing the strategic direction, operations, and growth of the Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Extension unit. Our new colleague will provide administrative leadership, foster innovation, and strengthen the integration of research, teaching, and outreach to address the evolving needs of Kentucky’s families and communities. This individual will work collaboratively with colleagues across the College, Cooperative Extension Service, and external partners to enhance the visibility, impact, and reach of FCS Extension programs to advance Kentucky.
This position offers you an opportunity to shape the future of Family and Consumer Sciences in Kentucky—leading a strong unit with a legacy of community impact and positioning it for relevance in the decades ahead. In this administrative role, you will report to the Associate Dean and Director of the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service. The anticipated start date is as soon as March 1, 2026.
Key Responsibilities
Provide strategic leadership and long-term vision for FCS
Provide program vision and support for Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agents, ensuring they have the resources and professional development needed to deliver high-quality, research-based education at the community level.
Support innovation in program development that addresses emerging needs in health, family well-being, economic stability, and community vitality.
Ensure FCS Extension programs align with the strategic priorities of the Kentucky Cooperative Extension
Administration & Operations
Serve as Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Unit Leader overseeing programmatic operations
Lead the development and oversight of budgets, staffing, and resources
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and university policies related to Extension
Program Development & Integration
Strengthen connections between Extension, research, and instruction to advance impactful, evidence-based programs
Promote interdisciplinary collaboration across UK units and with external partners
Support faculty and specialists in developing strong extramural funding portfolios and provide leadership in pursuing and securing external resources to sustain and grow FCS Extension
Engagement & Outreach
Build and maintain relationships with stakeholders, including state and federal agencies, community organizations, and Extension partners
Advance the visibility and relevance of FCS Extension through outreach, partnerships, and public engagement
Faculty Development & Support
Provide mentorship, guidance, and leadership to faculty, staff, and county-based personnel
Support professional development and performance evaluation
Qualifications
Earned D. or terminal degree in a discipline relevant to Family and Consumer Sciences (e.g., human sciences, nutrition, health promotion, family studies, consumer economics, or related fields)
Demonstrated leadership experience in Extension, academic administration, or equivalent professional setting
Proven ability to build partnerships and collaborations across academic, community, and governmental sectors
Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills, with a collaborative and respectful leadership style
Commitment to advancing the mission of Cooperative Extension and the land-grant mission in service to Kentucky communities
Faculty Appointment Details Our new colleague will also have a 12-month faculty appointment as an Associate Extension Professor or Extension Professor (Extension Title Series, tenure-eligible) in an academic unit aligned with their education and experience. The distribution of effort is reviewed/adjusted annually to meet the needs of Extension, department, college, and university. Initial effort is expected to focus on Extension activities.
Location Lexington, Kentucky with travel as needed.
Salary and Benefits Salary is open and competitive. Employment at UK is subject to fund availability and comes with comprehensive rewards, focusing on your total well-being and career development, with leadership striving to provide a strong work-life integration. The university generously contributes to employees’ retirement plans, medical coverage, and life insurance. UK offers optional benefits such as dental and vision insurance, additional retirement plans and more. To learn more about these benefits, please visit: https://hr.uky.edu/employment/our-benets
Application Screening of applications will begin on December 1, 2025, and continue until the position is filled. Please use the University of Kentucky’s electronic application process to apply. The application should include a letter of interest outlining the candidate’s approach to the position’s qualifications, responsibilities, and vision for an innovative and impactful extension program, followed by a curriculum vitae, and conclude with the name, address, email, and phone number for at least three references. References should be able to address, in professional judgment, your performance in advancing scholarly work, significance of venues, grants involved, instructional accomplishments, and service performed. Indicate your relationship to the reference. References will not be contacted without prior notification of candidates.
To apply for this position click on the quicklink: https://ukjobs.uky.edu/postings/602402 or copy and paste the URL into your browser.
Click
Apply for this Posting
Follow the instructions to create an account. Complete the Employment Application and upload the required documents. For assistance with the electronic application process, contact HR/Employment, phone (859) 257-9555, press 2, or email ukjobs@email.uky.edu.
Submit questions and/or nominations to:
Dr. Jennifer Hunter University of Kentucky, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment S-107 Ag Science North Lexington, KY 40546-0091 Email: jhunter@uky.edu
Environment The Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment is fulfilling the land-grant promise of educational excellence, civic leadership, transformational research, and shared knowledge serving the common good. We serve the people of the Commonwealth and across the world through education, outreach, service, and research by finding solutions to improve lives today and create a sustainable future. We integrate teaching, research, and extension in our work. We recruit, retain, and graduate students who are competent, responsible, and workforce ready. For more than 130 years, MG-CAFE has provided research results to the community. Our Cooperative Extension programs are engaged in Kentucky’s 120 counties, identifying needs not only in agriculture and natural resources, but also 4-H and youth development, family and consumer sciences, and community and economic development. We create a welcoming and supportive environment that allows our faculty, staff, and students to reach their highest potential. We recognize people with a broad range of perspectives and experiences are essential to decision making, problem solving, and innovation each day.
The University of Kentucky is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, or smoker status, in compliance with applicable laws.
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Assistant Extension Director for Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) . The FCS Extension program is a statewide leader in advancing individual, family, and community well-being through research-based education and outreach programs.
Position Overview
The
Assistant Extension Director
will serve as a visionary and administrative leader in advancing the strategic direction, operations, and growth of the Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Extension unit. Our new colleague will provide administrative leadership, foster innovation, and strengthen the integration of research, teaching, and outreach to address the evolving needs of Kentucky’s families and communities. This individual will work collaboratively with colleagues across the College, Cooperative Extension Service, and external partners to enhance the visibility, impact, and reach of FCS Extension programs to advance Kentucky.
This position offers you an opportunity to shape the future of Family and Consumer Sciences in Kentucky—leading a strong unit with a legacy of community impact and positioning it for relevance in the decades ahead. In this administrative role, you will report to the Associate Dean and Director of the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service. The anticipated start date is as soon as March 1, 2026.
Key Responsibilities
Provide strategic leadership and long-term vision for FCS
Provide program vision and support for Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agents, ensuring they have the resources and professional development needed to deliver high-quality, research-based education at the community level.
Support innovation in program development that addresses emerging needs in health, family well-being, economic stability, and community vitality.
Ensure FCS Extension programs align with the strategic priorities of the Kentucky Cooperative Extension
Administration & Operations
Serve as Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Unit Leader overseeing programmatic operations
Lead the development and oversight of budgets, staffing, and resources
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and university policies related to Extension
Program Development & Integration
Strengthen connections between Extension, research, and instruction to advance impactful, evidence-based programs
Promote interdisciplinary collaboration across UK units and with external partners
Support faculty and specialists in developing strong extramural funding portfolios and provide leadership in pursuing and securing external resources to sustain and grow FCS Extension
Engagement & Outreach
Build and maintain relationships with stakeholders, including state and federal agencies, community organizations, and Extension partners
Advance the visibility and relevance of FCS Extension through outreach, partnerships, and public engagement
Faculty Development & Support
Provide mentorship, guidance, and leadership to faculty, staff, and county-based personnel
Support professional development and performance evaluation
Qualifications
Earned D. or terminal degree in a discipline relevant to Family and Consumer Sciences (e.g., human sciences, nutrition, health promotion, family studies, consumer economics, or related fields)
Demonstrated leadership experience in Extension, academic administration, or equivalent professional setting
Proven ability to build partnerships and collaborations across academic, community, and governmental sectors
Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills, with a collaborative and respectful leadership style
Commitment to advancing the mission of Cooperative Extension and the land-grant mission in service to Kentucky communities
Faculty Appointment Details Our new colleague will also have a 12-month faculty appointment as an Associate Extension Professor or Extension Professor (Extension Title Series, tenure-eligible) in an academic unit aligned with their education and experience. The distribution of effort is reviewed/adjusted annually to meet the needs of Extension, department, college, and university. Initial effort is expected to focus on Extension activities.
Location Lexington, Kentucky with travel as needed.
Salary and Benefits Salary is open and competitive. Employment at UK is subject to fund availability and comes with comprehensive rewards, focusing on your total well-being and career development, with leadership striving to provide a strong work-life integration. The university generously contributes to employees’ retirement plans, medical coverage, and life insurance. UK offers optional benefits such as dental and vision insurance, additional retirement plans and more. To learn more about these benefits, please visit: https://hr.uky.edu/employment/our-benets
Application Screening of applications will begin on December 1, 2025, and continue until the position is filled. Please use the University of Kentucky’s electronic application process to apply. The application should include a letter of interest outlining the candidate’s approach to the position’s qualifications, responsibilities, and vision for an innovative and impactful extension program, followed by a curriculum vitae, and conclude with the name, address, email, and phone number for at least three references. References should be able to address, in professional judgment, your performance in advancing scholarly work, significance of venues, grants involved, instructional accomplishments, and service performed. Indicate your relationship to the reference. References will not be contacted without prior notification of candidates.
To apply for this position click on the quicklink: https://ukjobs.uky.edu/postings/602402 or copy and paste the URL into your browser.
Click
Apply for this Posting
Follow the instructions to create an account. Complete the Employment Application and upload the required documents. For assistance with the electronic application process, contact HR/Employment, phone (859) 257-9555, press 2, or email ukjobs@email.uky.edu.
Submit questions and/or nominations to:
Dr. Jennifer Hunter University of Kentucky, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment S-107 Ag Science North Lexington, KY 40546-0091 Email: jhunter@uky.edu
Environment The Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment is fulfilling the land-grant promise of educational excellence, civic leadership, transformational research, and shared knowledge serving the common good. We serve the people of the Commonwealth and across the world through education, outreach, service, and research by finding solutions to improve lives today and create a sustainable future. We integrate teaching, research, and extension in our work. We recruit, retain, and graduate students who are competent, responsible, and workforce ready. For more than 130 years, MG-CAFE has provided research results to the community. Our Cooperative Extension programs are engaged in Kentucky’s 120 counties, identifying needs not only in agriculture and natural resources, but also 4-H and youth development, family and consumer sciences, and community and economic development. We create a welcoming and supportive environment that allows our faculty, staff, and students to reach their highest potential. We recognize people with a broad range of perspectives and experiences are essential to decision making, problem solving, and innovation each day.
The University of Kentucky is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, or smoker status, in compliance with applicable laws.
#J-18808-Ljbffr