State Specialist Land Retention & Wealth Building

TITLE: State Specialist for Land Retention and Wealth Building

DEPARTMENT: TBD

REPORTS TO: Program Leader Community Resource Development

CLASSIFICATION: Staff-12 months

EFFECTIVE DATE: TBD

STANDARD WORK HOURS: 37.5 hours per week

EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Full-Time 

EMPLOYMENT CLASSIFICATION: Exempt

JOB SUMMARY: 

The Extension State Specialist for Land Retention & Wealth-Building will serve as a leader in addressing land ownership challenges, generational wealth-building, and resource equity for diverse urban and rural populations across Kentucky. Based in Frankfort, KY, this position will focus on preserving family and community land assets, empowering individuals through education and technical assistance, and fostering sustainable economic opportunities.

The specialist will work collaboratively with extension agents, academic institutions, local organizations, government agencies, and community stakeholders to develop and deliver impactful programs that support land retention, access to financial resources, intergenerational wealth transfer, and community resilience.

This position reports directly to the Program Leader for Community Resource Development.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Design and deliver educational programs and workshops on topics such as land retention, estate planning, property rights, financial literacy, sustainable land use, and wealth-building strategies.
• Address key barriers to land ownership and generational wealth retention, particularly for underserved and minority populations.
• Develop strategies to help communities maximize land assets for agriculture, entrepreneurship, and economic development.
• Provide one-on-one consultations to landowners and families on land retention strategies, estate planning, and navigating legal challenges.
• Connect participants with trusted legal, financial, and technical resources to aid in their efforts to preserve and utilize land assets effectively.
• Actively engage urban and rural communities to identify and address land ownership challenges, economic disparities, and wealth-building opportunities.
• Partner with local organizations, government agencies, and community leaders to promote equitable access to resources and education.
• Promote culturally appropriate and inclusive approaches to land and wealth-related programming.
• Conduct research to identify trends, challenges, and opportunities related to land retention and wealth-building in urban and rural Kentucky.
• Evaluate program outcomes and community impacts using qualitative and quantitative metrics.
• Publish findings to contribute to the field of community resource development and inform future programming.
• Provide training and professional development for extension agents, community leaders, and stakeholders on land retention and wealth-building topics.
• Develop tools, resources, and materials to support local extension agents in implementing effective programs.
• Collaborate with universities, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies to leverage resources and create joint initiatives focused on land retention and wealth-building.
• Work with financial institutions, legal organizations, and advocacy groups to develop innovative approaches to address land-related challenges.
• Advocate for policies and practices that promote land retention, equitable access to resources, and economic justice.
• Serve as a resource for policymakers by providing expertise, data, and insights into issues affecting landowners and wealth-building efforts in Kentucky.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Strong interpersonal skills, creativity, technological skills, and attention to detail, are important qualities of a skilled program development facilitator.
• Evidence of demonstrated experience in program planning, implementation, and evaluation.
• Ability to interact and gain support from constituencies outside the university such as business and industry, state and federal agencies and non-profit and private foundations.
• Ability to create, compose, and edit written materials.
• Knowledge of supplies, equipment, and/or services ordering and inventory control.
• Word processing and/or data entry skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of records and information.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to maintain calendars and schedule appointments.
• Organizing and coordinating skills
• Ability to understand and follow specific instructions and procedures.
• Ability to perform simple accounting procedures.
• Skill in the use of operating basic office equipment.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: 

OTHER DUTIES: 

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Master’s degree (Ph.D. preferred) in Community Development, Agriculture, Economics, Law, Public Administration, or a related field.
• At least 5 years of experience in community resource development, land retention, estate planning, or economic development.
• Knowledge of issues affecting underserved and minority populations related to land ownership, generational wealth, and economic equity.
• Strong communication, relationship-building, and program development skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with diverse populations and stakeholders.
• Experience in grant writing, resource acquisition, and project management.
• Familiarity with Kentucky’s land use and agricultural challenges in urban and rural settings.
• Experience working with legal frameworks related to property rights, estate planning, and land retention.
• Background in financial literacy education and wealth-building strategies.

WORKING CONDITIONS: 

• Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.
• No or very limited physical effort required.
• No or very limited exposure to physical risk.

The position is based in Frankfort, KY, with statewide responsibilities. 

The specialist will be required to travel to both urban and rural communities to engage stakeholders and deliver programs. A mix of field-based and office work is expected.

Internal Candidates are Encouraged to Apply

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States. At this time, Kentucky State University is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa

KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY is an Equal Opportunity Employer

The functions, qualifications, knowledge/skills, and physical requirements listed in this job description represent the essential duties of the job, which the incumbent must be able to perform either with or without reasonable accommodation. The Job Functions listed do not necessarily include all activities that the individual may perform.