Evaluation Specialist for Program and Staff Development - Kentucky State University : Job Details

TITLE:Evaluation Specialist for Program and Staff DevelopmentDEPARTMENT:College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources (Cooperative Extension)REPORTS TO:Associate Extension AdministratorCLASSIFICATION:Staff-12 monthsEFFECTIVE DATE:TBDSTANDARD WORK HOURS:37.5 hours per weekEMPLOYMENT STATUS:Full-Time EMPLOYMENT CLASSIFICATION:ExemptJOB SUMMARY: The Evaluation Specialist for Program and Staff Development will serve as a member of the Program and Staff Development Unit. The Evaluation Specialist for Program and Staff Development will provide leadership to build Cooperative Extension's capacity to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of educational programs in achieving desired results and to contribute to individual, community and organizational learning and performance improvement. This position will coordinate the implementation of the Cooperative Extension Program Strategic and Organizational Plan, and reporting for the NIFA Plan of Work, and Accomplishment Report. Serve as the primary contact when working with the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Program and Staff Development Unit. This position 100% Extension and will serve as a member of the Cooperative Extension Leadership Team and report to the Associate Extension Administrator.ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Providing technical assistance to Extension colleagues in program design, logic model development, evaluation planning/design, & data collection/analysis methods
• Gather and analyze quantitative and qualitative data.
• Coordinate, prepare, and submit the United States Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture Federal Report of Accomplishments and Annual Plan of Work on behalf of Kentucky State University CAFSSS.
• Coordinate federal reports and submissions with the University of Kentucky.
• Work with CAFSSS division coordinators to coordinate program impact reporting and program evaluation.
• Prepare annual statewide impact reports; compile and submit accomplishments and impacts into the national Excellence in Extension Database.
• Develop and guide KSU Cooperative Extension employees with systematic reporting and accountability processes through Kentucky Extension Reporting System (KERS), KSU, and CAFSSS quarterly reports.
• Develop and coordinate Extension employee orientation and core training for new Extension agents and specialists; coordinate ongoing professional and staff development in program planning and development, educational outreach, organizational and professional management, history of Extension and Land Grant, and individual leadership in cooperation with University of Kentucky Extension.
• Establish and maintain a system for recruiting, training, involving and assessing volunteer or paid staff where appropriate. Involve volunteers in developing, implementing, and evaluating educational programs and activities in line with Cooperative Extension volunteers. Coordinate KSU representatives on the State Extension Advisory Council.
• Ensure programmatic involvement of under-served and under-represented audiences and that all educational programming is conducted in full accordance with civil rights, Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), Affirmative Action (AA) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) policies and procedures. Prepare follow-up reports as required.
• Represent KSU on various statewide Extension teams, including the KCES Civil Rights and Diversity Response Implementation Team.
• Review proposal applications for evaluation criteria to assess the likelihood that a project will have an impact on and advance the proposed project/program based on the delineated needs and objectives, expected products and results, evaluation plan that includes performance measures to assess project success and dissemination plans.
• Develop and evaluate metrics to assess products, outputs, outcomes and potential impacts.
• Coordinate outreach events and other functions for the College.
• Write and develop grant proposals and secure extramural funding for Cooperative Extension.
• Demonstrated ability in designing, implementing, evaluating and reporting impactful community- based non-formal education programs with a strong knowledge of Cooperative Extension.
• Develop evaluation strategies, assessment instruments, and impact reports for Extension educational programs and funded projects in assigned program areas.
• Serve as a resource to Extension professionals in assigned program areas in formulating evaluation plans during grant and program development.
• Develop and maintain a system of documenting effectiveness of Extension educational efforts in assigned program areas.
• Develop and deliver training and serve as a resource person to county and state Extension personnel in program development and evaluation.
• Using data compiled from Kentucky Extension Reporting System and other sources, write the Extension sections of the annual KSU Extension Report of Accomplishments (the federal report) by the deadline.
• Provide leadership over the impact statement and submission process including Extension program reports and communicate key impacts to stakeholders and funding agencies.
• Work with Media and Communications to develop and maintain strategies for communicating the mission and effectiveness of Extension programs for Kentucky.
• In coordination with Media and Communications, create reports and infographics to share program data and impacts with state and federal agencies and stakeholders. Reports should be databased, visually attractive, and timely for use at events such as Council for Agriculture Research Extension and Teaching (CARET) meetings and the Public Issues Leadership Development (PILD) conference.
• Attend Kentucky Cooperative Extension Administrative meetings.
• Attend and actively participate in the Association of Extension Administrators winter and summer meetings.
• Attend the Southern Region Program Leaders Network (SRPLN) conference and participate in quarterly conference calls (Program and Staff Development).
• Attend National Extension Research and Administrative Officers Conference (NERAOC).
• Attend the National Association Extension Program and Staff Development Professionals Conference (NAEPSDP).

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Experience conducting program evaluation using various social science research methods including focus groups, surveys, and key-informant interviews; experience in research methodology including quantitative and qualitative analysis and, experience in creating evaluation reports.
• Knowledge of land grant universities and the United States Department of Agriculture programs.
• Strong leadership skills, including experience in coaching, team-building, resource management, and partnership development.
• Evidence of administrative leadership, managerial skills, and the ability to work as a team member.
• Experience with computer software for word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and data analysis
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of Extension program development process, evaluation, and reporting.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
• Ability to write coherently and concisely, using appropriate grammar and spelling.
• Ability to read and follow directions.
• Ability to develop, maintain, and use spreadsheets and databases.
• Demonstrated time management and organizational skills to coordinate projects and people, prioritize and track multiple projects simultaneously, and meet critical deadlines.
• Ability to effectively use data analysis software to run statistical tests SPSS etc.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

• This position does not have supervisory responsibility.

OTHER DUTIES:

• The position will conduct other duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's degree required, but a terminal degree preferred. The degree must be from an accredited university in agricultural and/or extension education, evaluation, adult education, human sciences, economics, behavioral, and social sciences, public policy, or closely related field.
• A minimum of three to five years of experience in program development, or demonstrated ability and skill in educational program planning, implementation and evaluation.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work could involve some exposure to unusual elements, such as extreme temperatures, dirt, dust, fumes, smoke, unpleasant odors, and/or loud noises.
• Requires some standing or walking.
• Ability to lift 40 lbs.
• No or very limited exposure to physical risk.
• Extensive travel required.

The College of Agriculture, Community, and the Sciences strives for inclusive excellence and is interested in qualified candidates who can contribute to this effort through their research, teaching, and/or Extension programs.Internal Candidates are Encouraged to ApplyApplicants 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 visaKENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY is an Equal Opportunity EmployerThe 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.