What are the responsibilities and job description for the 14-25 Extension County Specialist, Park County position at CSU Spur?
Posting Details
Posting Detail Information
Working Title 14-25 Extension County Specialist, Park County Position Location Fairplay, Colorado Work Location Position qualifies for hybrid/in-office work Posting Number 202500036F Proposed Annual Salary Range $51,200-$87,000 (commensurate on academic credentials and professional experience) Employee 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.
The Office of Engagement and Extension (OEE), in cooperation with the Colorado State University (CSU) colleges and other units, has general charge over the University’s educational programs and services across the areas of engaged scholarship, extension, and extended campuses, which complement and reinforce the research, teaching, and service missions of CSU. OEE is collaborative space for faculty, staff, and students pursuing and promoting community-based research, service-learning, industry partnerships, and other forms of the scholarship of engagement. In partnership with the CSU colleges and other divisions, OEE faculty and staff work throughout the state of Colorado to engage individuals and communities in the design, implementation, and application of scholarship and educational opportunities. The OEE Vice President is the principal administrative, academic, and fiscal officer for the division, reports to the CSU President, and works closely with the Provost/Executive Vice President. OEE includes over 400 employees and operates with a total budget across the enterprises of approximately $85 million. OEE is one of the most institutionally comprehensive commitments to engagement and outreach among all land-grant and other universities. Propelled by OEE’s leadership, nationally CSU is a Carnegie Engaged University (2008, 2014), is a member of the Engagement Scholarship Consortium, is an APLU Innovation and Economic Prosperity University (2016) and is highly ranked for its online degree programs. CSU was established in 1870 and remains inspired by its land-grant heritage and world-class faculty, staff, and students. CSU enrolls approximately 33,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students, and is the largest employer in northern Colorado with more than 7,400 faculty and staff. Colorado State University is located sixty miles north of Denver in the beautiful city of Fort Collins.
CSU Extension, organized under OEE, is the academic unit designated to promote the land-grant mission of increasing access to education through the application of university knowledge “in the several pursuits and professions in life” for the people and communities of Colorado, across the United States, and around the world. In partnership with CSU’s colleges and external partners, CSU Extension amplifies the research, teaching, service, engagement, and extension missions of CSU. CSU Extension faculty aim to educate, create, and connect with learners through inclusive, transdisciplinary, and activated engaged scholarship, and innovative, accessible, and connected lifelong education. To learn more about CSU Extension, visit www.extension.colostate.edu.
Established in 1861, Park County is approximately 45 miles wide from east to west, and 60 miles long, encompassing 2,166 square miles. Within its borders are portions of three wilderness areas, two state parks, 12 state wildlife areas, and more territory above 9,000 feet than any other Colorado county. Federal lands comprise 51% of Park County’s landmass. State-owned lands account for about 8% and privately owned land for about 41%. It is about an hour and a half travel on state highways from Denver or Colorado Springs.
Most county offices, including the CSU Extension office, are located in the town of Fairplay, the county seat with a population of 724. The total population is approximately 17,390 residents. The Fairplay office looks out onto Mt. Sherman and Mt. Silverheels, which are part of the Mosquito Range in the Rocky Mountains.
Park County weather varies with over 300 sunny days per year, with summer days in the 70s and cool, crisp nights. In the winter, temperatures can fall well below zero with high winds that foster sudden white-outs. For more information please visit the Park County’s website at http://www.parkco.us Many outdoor activities abound in Park County including hiking, fishing, hunting, biking, snow sports and others.
We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of all backgrounds and abilities. We invite you to review Colorado State University’s Principles of Community that guide our mission and vision of access, teaching, service, and engagement. Colorado State University encourages professional development and provides an Employee Study Privilege with up to nine credit hours of tuition assistance annually.
Tenure/Tenure Track? No % Research 35% % Teaching 50% % Service 15% % Administration 0% To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on 03/24/2025 Number of Vacancies 1 Desired Start Date Position End Date Position Summary
OEE invites applications and nominations for an Extension County Specialist. This is a full-time, twelve (12) month, non-tenure track Extension faculty position. Faculty rank is dependent upon the candidate’s academic credentials and professional experience and is subject to review by the Extension Promotion Committee. The faculty appointment, evaluation, and promotion standards are centered around the three core duties of extension faculty – educate, create, and connect. Candidates are sought with interests that complement and expand upon current initiatives and education activities in OEE and CSU Extension. Programming responsibilities will include 4-H Youth Development, Agriculture, and Natural Resource Management including horticulture OR 4-H Youth Development, Community Development, and Family and Consumer Sciences. Final programmatic responsibilities will be determined by the training/skills of the successful candidate. This position reports to the Extension County Director.
The primary office location for this position is in Fairplay, Colorado with a satellite office in Bailey, Colorado. 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.
Conditions of Employment Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires), Valid Driver’s License, Travel Required Job Qualifications
Preferred Job Qualifications
For full consideration, all materials must be RECEIVED no later than 11:59 PM Mountain Time on Monday, March 24, 2025. Please submit the following to apply:
For questions regarding the application process, contact the Talent Acquisition office at HR_TA@colostate.edu. For questions regarding the job vacancy, responsibilities, and salary, please contact Kurt Jones at kurt.jones@colostate.edu.
CSU is committed to full inclusion of qualified individuals. If you are needing assistance or accommodations with the search process, please reach out to the listed search contact.
References will not be contacted without prior notification to candidates. Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.
Background Check Policy Statement
Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.
EEO
Colorado State University (CSU) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
Search Contact Kurt Jones at kurt.jones@colostate.edu
Essential Duties
Job Duty Category Educate Duty/Responsibility
If Candidate Has Agriculture/Natural Resources/4-h Responsibilities
If Candidate Has Community Development/Family & Consumer Sciences/4-h Responsibilities
References Requested
References Requested
Minimum Requested 3 Maximum Requested 3
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
Posting Detail Information
Working Title 14-25 Extension County Specialist, Park County Position Location Fairplay, Colorado Work Location Position qualifies for hybrid/in-office work Posting Number 202500036F Proposed Annual Salary Range $51,200-$87,000 (commensurate on academic credentials and professional experience) Employee 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!
The Office of Engagement and Extension (OEE), in cooperation with the Colorado State University (CSU) colleges and other units, has general charge over the University’s educational programs and services across the areas of engaged scholarship, extension, and extended campuses, which complement and reinforce the research, teaching, and service missions of CSU. OEE is collaborative space for faculty, staff, and students pursuing and promoting community-based research, service-learning, industry partnerships, and other forms of the scholarship of engagement. In partnership with the CSU colleges and other divisions, OEE faculty and staff work throughout the state of Colorado to engage individuals and communities in the design, implementation, and application of scholarship and educational opportunities. The OEE Vice President is the principal administrative, academic, and fiscal officer for the division, reports to the CSU President, and works closely with the Provost/Executive Vice President. OEE includes over 400 employees and operates with a total budget across the enterprises of approximately $85 million. OEE is one of the most institutionally comprehensive commitments to engagement and outreach among all land-grant and other universities. Propelled by OEE’s leadership, nationally CSU is a Carnegie Engaged University (2008, 2014), is a member of the Engagement Scholarship Consortium, is an APLU Innovation and Economic Prosperity University (2016) and is highly ranked for its online degree programs. CSU was established in 1870 and remains inspired by its land-grant heritage and world-class faculty, staff, and students. CSU enrolls approximately 33,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students, and is the largest employer in northern Colorado with more than 7,400 faculty and staff. Colorado State University is located sixty miles north of Denver in the beautiful city of Fort Collins.
CSU Extension, organized under OEE, is the academic unit designated to promote the land-grant mission of increasing access to education through the application of university knowledge “in the several pursuits and professions in life” for the people and communities of Colorado, across the United States, and around the world. In partnership with CSU’s colleges and external partners, CSU Extension amplifies the research, teaching, service, engagement, and extension missions of CSU. CSU Extension faculty aim to educate, create, and connect with learners through inclusive, transdisciplinary, and activated engaged scholarship, and innovative, accessible, and connected lifelong education. To learn more about CSU Extension, visit www.extension.colostate.edu.
Established in 1861, Park County is approximately 45 miles wide from east to west, and 60 miles long, encompassing 2,166 square miles. Within its borders are portions of three wilderness areas, two state parks, 12 state wildlife areas, and more territory above 9,000 feet than any other Colorado county. Federal lands comprise 51% of Park County’s landmass. State-owned lands account for about 8% and privately owned land for about 41%. It is about an hour and a half travel on state highways from Denver or Colorado Springs.
Most county offices, including the CSU Extension office, are located in the town of Fairplay, the county seat with a population of 724. The total population is approximately 17,390 residents. The Fairplay office looks out onto Mt. Sherman and Mt. Silverheels, which are part of the Mosquito Range in the Rocky Mountains.
Park County weather varies with over 300 sunny days per year, with summer days in the 70s and cool, crisp nights. In the winter, temperatures can fall well below zero with high winds that foster sudden white-outs. For more information please visit the Park County’s website at http://www.parkco.us Many outdoor activities abound in Park County including hiking, fishing, hunting, biking, snow sports and others.
We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of all backgrounds and abilities. We invite you to review Colorado State University’s Principles of Community that guide our mission and vision of access, teaching, service, and engagement. Colorado State University encourages professional development and provides an Employee Study Privilege with up to nine credit hours of tuition assistance annually.
Tenure/Tenure Track? No % Research 35% % Teaching 50% % Service 15% % Administration 0% To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on 03/24/2025 Number of Vacancies 1 Desired Start Date Position End Date Position Summary
OEE invites applications and nominations for an Extension County Specialist. This is a full-time, twelve (12) month, non-tenure track Extension faculty position. Faculty rank is dependent upon the candidate’s academic credentials and professional experience and is subject to review by the Extension Promotion Committee. The faculty appointment, evaluation, and promotion standards are centered around the three core duties of extension faculty – educate, create, and connect. Candidates are sought with interests that complement and expand upon current initiatives and education activities in OEE and CSU Extension. Programming responsibilities will include 4-H Youth Development, Agriculture, and Natural Resource Management including horticulture OR 4-H Youth Development, Community Development, and Family and Consumer Sciences. Final programmatic responsibilities will be determined by the training/skills of the successful candidate. This position reports to the Extension County Director.
The primary office location for this position is in Fairplay, Colorado with a satellite office in Bailey, Colorado. 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.
Conditions of Employment Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires), Valid Driver’s License, Travel Required Job Qualifications
- Completed bachelor’s degree. Conferred degree may be in a variety of disciplines, including business, community development, Extension education, youth development, agricultural sciences, natural resources, social sciences, family and consumer sciences, public health, community development or related degree that can significantly contribute to administrative and/or program responsibilities.
- Course work and/or professional experience must provide a broad and significant understanding of agriculture and natural resources activities associated with position OR coursework and or/professional experience must provide a broad and significant understanding of family and consumer sciences and community development associated with position.
- One year of professional experience relevant to the Essential Job Duties (below) of the position.
- 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.
Preferred Job Qualifications
- Completed master’s degree.
- Professional experience or education in one or more of these areas: youth development, STEM, livestock, range, home and production horticulture, natural resources, agronomy, soils, irrigation, plant insects and diseases, family financial planning, health education, and community development.
- Appreciation and understanding of rural communities and an interest in working with people in a rural environment to address critical issues.
- Professional experience relevant to the Essential Job Duties (below) of this position.
- Experience or coursework in audience-needs identification, program development, experiential learning and program evaluation.
- Ability to recruit, train, and manage volunteers and advisory groups.
- Knowledge of and/or experience in Extension 4-H Youth Development.
- Experience in developing and managing financial support for educational programs.
- Demonstrated commitment to working with diverse audiences; this may include persistent effort, intentional programming, and community engagement.
For full consideration, all materials must be RECEIVED no later than 11:59 PM Mountain Time on Monday, March 24, 2025. Please submit the following to apply:
- Resume
- 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.
For questions regarding the application process, contact the Talent Acquisition office at HR_TA@colostate.edu. For questions regarding the job vacancy, responsibilities, and salary, please contact Kurt Jones at kurt.jones@colostate.edu.
CSU is committed to full inclusion of qualified individuals. If you are needing assistance or accommodations with the search process, please reach out to the listed search contact.
References will not be contacted without prior notification to candidates. Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.
Background Check Policy Statement
Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.
EEO
Colorado State University (CSU) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
Search Contact Kurt Jones at kurt.jones@colostate.edu
Essential Duties
Job Duty Category Educate Duty/Responsibility
If Candidate Has Agriculture/Natural Resources/4-h Responsibilities
- As part of the Park County Extension team, continue to develop and enhance an effective, educational, results-oriented 4-H Youth Development Program that supports the growth and development of life skills among both youth and adult audiences in a rural environment. The focus on the 4-H education will be with the Livestock, horse, dog, and natural resources projects.
- Develop an effective, educational, results-oriented program that supports production agriculture and natural resources programs in Park County. Additional needs identified in a recent needs assessment include Drought Impact and Planning for Ag, Gardening/Growing Food, Developing Youth Life Skills, and Healthy Ecosystems.
- Working directly with the community to identify and promote community-based needs for informal education using the most appropriate educational methods including digital and online media, written materials, or live workshop formats to assess and address the community’s needs for informal education; develop and implement educational strategies and measure the impact of education and programs. Share all programming developed with CSU Extension.
- 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 area(s) of specified expertise as appropriate.
If Candidate Has Community Development/Family & Consumer Sciences/4-h Responsibilities
- As part of the Park County Extension team, continue to develop and enhance an effective, educational, results-oriented 4-H Youth Development Program that supports the growth and development of life skills among both youth and adult audiences in a rural environment. The focus on the 4-H education will be with the family & consumer, STEM, creative arts, and personal development projects.
- Develop an effective, educational, results-oriented program that supports production community and economic development and family programs in Park County. Additional needs identified in a recent needs assessment include Drought Impact and Planning for Ag, supporting ag families, Gardening/Growing Food, Developing Youth Life Skills, and Healthy Ecosystems.
- Working directly with the community to identify and promote community-based needs for informal education using the most appropriate educational methods including digital and online media, written materials, or live workshop formats to assess and address the community’s needs for informal education; develop and implement educational strategies and measure the impact of education and programs. Share all programming developed with CSU Extension.
- 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 area(s) of specified expertise as appropriate.
- Identify resources (grants, contracts, in-kind contributions, cost recovery fees, etc.) to enhance programs, support programming efforts and practice cost recovery.
- Employ effective technology in managing and/or delivering educational programs.
- Identify and build collaborations with other agencies and groups (public and private) to support them in addressing their priority needs.
- Manage program funds in compliance with CSU and county fiscal policies and reporting requirements.
- Engage and collaborate with community-based organizations and diverse constituents (representative of the county’s racial, ethnic and gender demographics) to understand community needs and develop support for existing and new program efforts.
- Develop and provide programming for diverse audiences and assure compliance with civil rights and affirmative action policies, including reaching out to underserved and underrepresented audiences.
- 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 local government officials, volunteers, families and community members, including responding to requests for consultation, research, and other assistance.
- Communicate and coordinate resources, research, and programming with faculty/staff at CSU, county, and other organizations.
- Engage with public officials in policy decision influence.
- Provide conflict resolution, mediation and/or facilitate public dialogues.
- Travel and participate in meetings, professional development, events and periodic activities requiring travel and/or overnight stays.
References Requested
References Requested
Minimum Requested 3 Maximum Requested 3
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
- Cover Letter
- Resume
- Special Required Documentation
Salary : $51,200 - $87,000
