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Posting Detail Information

Working Title44-25 Extension State Program Specialist, Community Engagement

Position LocationFort Collins, CO

Work LocationPosition qualifies for hybrid/in-office work

Posting Number202500326F

Proposed Annual Salary Range$70,800-$100,000 (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. (https://hr.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/25/2021/01/benefits-summary-afap.pdf)

+ Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here.

+ For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator (https://hr.colostate.edu/total-compensation-calculator/) .

+ Lastly, click here for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in (https://hr.colostate.edu/prospective-employees/our-community/) !

Position TypeFaculty

Work Hours/Week40

Description of Work Unit

The Office of Engagement and Extension ( OEE ) was organized in 2006 to advance CSU’s engagement and outreach missions. OEE includes CSU Extension, Learning Innovation (including CSU Online), the Colorado Water Center, and a variety of vibrant programs that engage the teaching, research, extension, and service missions of Colorado State University. The Vice President for Engagement and Extension ( VPEE ) 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 works collaboratively across all Colleges and offices on campus and has strong engagement programs throughout Colorado, the Western US, and globally. At any given time, OEE includes over 400 employees. The total budget is approximately $95 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, 2024) and is highly ranked for its online degree programs. Annually, Learning Innovation garners enrollments of over 15,000 learners and CSU Extension delivers approximately 500,000 educational contacts.

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, visitwww.extension.colostate.edu (https://extension.colostate.edu/csu-extension-faculty/) .

The Community Engagement State Team advances Colorado State University’s commitment to civic engagement and collaboration by strengthening local capacity for community-driven change. Through cross-sector partnerships between CSU , the Office of Engagement and Extension, and communities across Colorado, this team works to foster resilient, thriving communities where all members feel a sense of belonging and are empowered to come together, respond to emerging local needs, and lead positive, sustainable change.

Colorado State University encourages professional development and provides anEmployee Study Privilege (https://hr.colostate.edu/current-employees/benefits/other-benefit-programs/academic-privileges/) with up to nine credit hours of tuition assistance annually.

Tenure/Tenure Track?No

% Research30%

% Teaching50%

% Service20%

% Administration0%

To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on11/03/2025

Number of Vacancies1

Desired Start Date

Position End Date

Position Summary

OEE invites applications and nominations for a Extension State Program Specialist. This is a full-time, twelve (12) month, non-tenure track Extension faculty position.Faculty rank (https://extension.colostate.edu/csu-extension-faculty/) 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 (https://extension.colostate.edu/csu-extension-faculty/) . Candidates are sought with interests that complement and expand upon current initiatives and education activities in OEE and CSU Extension.

This is a statewide position responsible for providing training, support, and resources for key civic and leadership development programs, including the Family Leadership Training Institute, the Civic Learning Lab, and the AmeriCorps program. The role will help community members and families build leadership skills that strengthen local resilience, connectedness, and collaborative problem-solving. These programs are delivered in partnership with local Extension offices and nonprofit organizations across Colorado. The position reports to the Community Development Director within the Office of Engagement and Extension.

The office location for this position is in Fort Collins, Colorado. While this position is eligible for some hybrid work, the individual in this position is expected to maintain a presence in the office to effectively balance the duties of the position. The work schedule will vary, and occasional nights and weekend work will be necessary.

Conditions of EmploymentPre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires), Valid Driver’s License, Travel

Required Job Qualifications

+ Completed master’s degree. Conferred degrees must be in community development, education, food systems, communication, economic development, political science, community planning, economics, extension, leadership development or closely related field.

+ 4+ years of professional experience relevant to the Essential Job Duties (below) of this position.

+ Course work and/or professional experience must provide a broad and significant understanding of discipline area associated with 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

+ Experience designing, delivering, and evaluating educational programs, trainings, or community initiatives.

+ Demonstrated ability to build partnerships and collaborate with individuals, groups, and interdisciplinary teams.

+ Experience facilitating meetings, community conversations, and civic leadership programs.

+ Experience supervising or coordinating students, teams, volunteers, or Extension projects.

+ Demonstrated use of technology to manage, deliver, or support educational or outreach programs.

+ Leadership experience in program, partnership, or community development settings.

+ Experience with leadership and/or civic education programming.

Special Instructions to Applicants

For full consideration, allmaterials must be RECEIVED no laterthan 11:59 PM Mountain Time on Monday, November 3, 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.

All applicants will be contacted approximately 15 working days after the deadline regarding their status. Next steps and interview dates will be shared to those moving forward. Four professional references will be requested of applicants that advance in the interview process. References will not be contacted without prior notification to candidates.

For questions regarding the application process, contact the Talent Acquisition office [email protected]. For questions regarding the job vacancy, responsibilities, and salary, please contact Patti Schmitt at [email protected].

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.

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 ContactPatti Schmitt at [email protected]

Essential Duties

Job Duty CategoryEducate

Duty/Responsibility

+ Organize and attend state, regional, and local community meetings to build relationships with historically under-resourced community members and groups to provide ongoing input for community needs assessment work that will inform an equity-forward approach to statewide and regional Extension programming. Engagement will be utilized to tailor annual programming on local leadership and civic engagement learning needs of the local community.

+ Support the implementation and evaluation of non-credit educational programming including but not limited to Family Leadership Training Institute ( FLTI ), Civic Learning Lab ( CLL ) , and other projects and programs that support advancing Colorado community development work with a focus on historically under-resourced populations.

+ Support local FLTI sites and program to implement FLTI programming. Including but not limited to training, coaching, and providing technical assistance.

+ Positively promote and market Extension and Extension programming to internal and external audiences with an emphasis on under-resourced audiences.

+ Provide appropriate training for OEE staff and external partners to implement CD signature programming.

+ Evaluate programing efforts (including FLTI , Rural Action Project, and Civic Learning Labs and like programming) considering unique characteristics appropriate for under-resourced communities and report educational outcomes via reports and data; make suggestions to improve programming content or delivery based on input from local communities.

+ Work with State Community Development and Engagement Specialist team to support planning, programming, evaluation, reporting, and resource development.

Percentage Of Time50%

Job Duty CategoryCreate

Duty/Responsibility

+ Develop and provide programming for various 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.

+ Create leadership and civic education curriculum content to support growing local civic capacity in Colorado.

+ Design community meetings to support building civic capacity and social connectedness.

+ Co-create facilitation and leadership trainings.

+ Review curriculum and support its updating.

Percentage Of Time30%

Job Duty CategoryConnect

Duty/Responsibility

+ 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 to and participate in meetings, professional development, events and periodic activities requiring travel and/or overnight stays.

+ Actively collaborate and develop highly functional networks with internal and external partners to promote programming that has been identified through the County Community Needs Assessment; Consult and advise partners as able.

+ Develop collaborative relationships with historically under-resourced community members through networking at community events and gatherings and serving on community boards and commissions; assist with building bridging relationships between these under-resourced communities and other County Extension staff.

+ Recruit, manage agreements and maintain collaborative relationships with support partners including FLTI certified facilitators, interpretation services, childcare providers and food providers.

+ Develop and maintain strong relationships with funders, funding organizations and fiscal sponsor.

+ Participate in the Community and Economic Development Extension Program and Research Unit.

+ Identify and solicit funding to support programming, trainings, and events.

+ Serve on community boards and commissions to network and affiliate within the local County community, prioritizing underserved audiences.

Percentage Of Time20%

References Requested

References Requested

Minimum Requested3

Maximum Requested3

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

+ Cover Letter

+ Resume

+ Special Required Documentation

Optional Documents