Extension County Director, Rio Blanco County

Colorado State University • Meeker, CO

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Extension County Director in Rio Blanco County is a full-time, non-tenure track Extension faculty position. The programming responsibilities of this position will include agriculture, natural resources, and other Extension programming. The primary office location for this position is in Meeker, Colorado; however, there is a satellite office in Rangely, Colorado where some presence would be expected. While this position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement, the individual in this position is expected to maintain a balance establishing a presence in the primary office, to effectively carry out the duties of the position. The work schedule will vary, and occasional nights and weekend work will be necessary. For full consideration, all materials must be RECEIVED no later than 11:59 PM Mountain Time on Thursday, March 26, 2026. Please submit the following to apply: CV Cover Letter Special Required Documentation – Statement (no more than 5 pages) of how you meet all applicable “Required” and “Preferred” Job Qualifications. Please respond to each bullet point separately. Essential Job Duties: Educate Develop and conduct educational programming in response to local needs. Develop an effective, educational, results-oriented program that supports production agriculture and natural resources programs in Rio Blanco County. Work collaboratively with local government and organizational partners to develop, implement, evaluate and report impacts of non-credit educational programming for adult and youth audiences. Actively participate in one or more Extension work teams to provide expertise for program and information development, delivery, and evaluation efforts statewide. Provide program and information delivery to support colleagues in areas of specified expertise as appropriate. Create Develop and provide programming for local audiences. Engage and collaborate with community-based organizations and constituents to understand community needs and develop support for existing and new program efforts. Employ effective technology in managing and/or delivering educational programs. Identify resources (grants, contracts, in-kind contributions, cost recovery fees, etc.) to enhance programs, support programming efforts and practice cost recovery. Manage program funds in compliance with CSU and county fiscal policies and reporting requirements. Connect Communicate and coordinate resources, research, and programming with faculty/staff at CSU, county, and other organizations. Develop and support strong equitable working relationships with Extension staff, CSU faculty, local/county agencies, community leaders and private industry organizations to address priority needs. Develop relationships and work with advisory groups and local leaders; cooperate with Extension Specialists in other counties to assess informal education needs in the area, develop/revise plans of work, implement educational strategies, and measure and report programmatic impacts. Maintain a strong working relationship with the Board of County Commissioners, including responding to requests for consultation, research, and other assistance. Provide conflict resolution, mediation and/or facilitate public dialogues. Engage with public officials in policy decision influence. Travel and participate in meetings, professional development, events and periodic activities requiring travel and/or overnight stays. Administration Provide leadership and serve as a local Extension spokesperson and administrative liaison for the unit. Manage the personnel, financial (budget & cost recovery), and space resources of the unit in an effective and efficient manner. Devise innovative methods for securing the resources necessary to strengthen the operations in the unit including providing leadership for identifying and soliciting private and foundation gifts, external grants, and county resources. Develop working relationships with both County and CSU staff and leadership, peers, staff, other departments, organizations and agencies, and the public that are effective, inspire loyalty, excellence and integrity.

Requirements

• Completed bachelor’s degree.
• Conferred degree may be in a variety of disciplines, including agricultural sciences, natural resources, community development, Extension education, or related degree that can significantly contribute to administrative and/or program responsibilities.
• 3+ years of professional experience relevant to the Essential Job Duties of this position.
• Course work and/or professional experience must provide a broad and significant understanding of agriculture and natural resources associated with position.
• Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires), travel.
• Must have a valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain a driver’s license or access to a licensed driver by the employment start date.
• The successful candidate must be legally authorized to work in the United States by the proposed start date; Extension will not sponsor a visa for this position.

Nice To Haves

• Completed master’s degree.
• Professional experience or education in one or more of these areas (or closely related): agriculture, natural resources, livestock, pasture & range, home and production horticulture, agronomy, soils, irrigation, plant insects and diseases.
• Experience or coursework in audience-needs identification, program development, experiential learning and program evaluation.
• Experience or coursework in facilitation or conflict management and evidence of problem-solving skills.
• Knowledge of and/or experience in Extension 4-H Youth Development.
• Appreciation and understanding of rural communities and an interest in working with people in a rural environment to address critical issues.
• Ability to recruit, train, and manage volunteers and advisory groups.
• Experience with program planning within a budget.

Responsibilities

• Educate Develop and conduct educational programming in response to local needs.
• Develop an effective, educational, results-oriented program that supports production agriculture and natural resources programs in Rio Blanco County.
• Work collaboratively with local government and organizational partners to develop, implement, evaluate and report impacts of non-credit educational programming for adult and youth audiences.
• Actively participate in one or more Extension work teams to provide expertise for program and information development, delivery, and evaluation efforts statewide.
• Provide program and information delivery to support colleagues in areas of specified expertise as appropriate.
• Create Develop and provide programming for local audiences.
• Engage and collaborate with community-based organizations and constituents to understand community needs and develop support for existing and new program efforts.
• Employ effective technology in managing and/or delivering educational programs.
• Identify resources (grants, contracts, in-kind contributions, cost recovery fees, etc.) to enhance programs, support programming efforts and practice cost recovery.
• Manage program funds in compliance with CSU and county fiscal policies and reporting requirements.
• Connect Communicate and coordinate resources, research, and programming with faculty/staff at CSU, county, and other organizations.
• Develop and support strong equitable working relationships with Extension staff, CSU faculty, local/county agencies, community leaders and private industry organizations to address priority needs.
• Develop relationships and work with advisory groups and local leaders; cooperate with Extension Specialists in other counties to assess informal education needs in the area, develop/revise plans of work, implement educational strategies, and measure and report programmatic impacts.
• Maintain a strong working relationship with the Board of County Commissioners, including responding to requests for consultation, research, and other assistance.
• Provide conflict resolution, mediation and/or facilitate public dialogues.
• Engage with public officials in policy decision influence.
• Travel and participate in meetings, professional development, events and periodic activities requiring travel and/or overnight stays.
• Administration Provide leadership and serve as a local Extension spokesperson and administrative liaison for the unit.
• Manage the personnel, financial (budget & cost recovery), and space resources of the unit in an effective and efficient manner.
• Devise innovative methods for securing the resources necessary to strengthen the operations in the unit including providing leadership for identifying and soliciting private and foundation gifts, external grants, and county resources.
• Develop working relationships with both County and CSU staff and leadership, peers, staff, other departments, organizations and agencies, and the public that are effective, inspire loyalty, excellence and integrity.

Benefits

• Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service.
• With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.
• Review our detailed benefits information here.
• Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here.
• For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator.
• Lastly, click here for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in!

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director