The Extension Specialist – Tennessee Landowner Education provides leadership for planning, implementing, evaluating and reporting statewide educational programs in landowner education (focusing on slowing the rate of farmland loss); farm enterprise analysis, planning, development, management and sustainability; and value-added agriculture. The position is full-time, non-tenure track, 100% Extension position. The Specialist will:

• Lead the development of curriculum, publications and other resources for statewide educational programs in landowner education; farm enterprise analysis, planning, development, management and sustainability; and value-added agriculture.
• Teach educational programs for land owners, agricultural producers, industry partners and Extension agents.
• Coordinate educational programs such as workshops, webinars, tours, and conferences.
• Provide consultations and technical assistance for designated subject matter topics via farm and office visits.
• Secure extramural funds through grants, fee-based programs, and gifts
• Evaluate and report program inputs, outcomes, impacts and accomplishments.
• Develop and maintain cooperative working relationships with relevant Extension colleagues and industry partners.
• Assume other duties as assigned.

• Program Development (including curriculum and publication development and grantsmanship).
• Teaching (in-service training for agents and multi-county programs for producers, landowners, and industry partners) Teaching the program as a train the trainer to employees throughout the state.
• Conducting needs assessment and environmental scanning. Keeping current on all current trends in their program area and ability to create curriculum to teach and share with other employees who may also teaching it to clientele.  Conducting assessments to find the needed programs in portions of the state.
• Program evaluation - Evaluating number of contacts throughout the state for area program. What impact it has provided or not provided. How to update the program from the data.
• Coordinate and select tasks forces within UTIA for action.
• Program management- Determining changes and updates to the statewide program.
• Public relations-Publications, websites, videos, social media, and other ways of contacting the public with our programs. Must provide a professional image of Extension.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Education/Experience:

  • M.S. Degree in Agricultural Business, Agricultural Economics, Economics, Finance, Marketing, Business Administration or closely related field 

    OR 

  • M.S. Degree with two or more years of relevant experience in Agricultural Business, Agricultural Economics, Economics, Finance, Marketing, Business Administration or closely related field. Candidates completing required degrees prior to June 1, 2026 are welcome to apply.

• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

  • Knowledge and skills that demonstrate promise in Extension program development, implementation, teaching, evaluation and reporting.

  • Knowledge and skills that demonstrate promise in Tennessee Landowner Education, farm enterprise analysis and development, and value-added agriculture.

  • Effective communication skills (written and verbal).

  • Ability to effectively work independently and serve as a team leader and team member.

  • Ability to effectively utilize computer applications such as Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), Internet (Web, e-mail), etc.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Education: 

  • Bachelor's degree in the relevant fields, knowledge of or experience in agriculture.

• Experience:

  • 1-3 years of relevant experience.

     

• Our Ideal Candidate will have:

  • Knowledge of agricultural Extension programs and the land-grant mission.

  • Knowledge and skills in grant writing.

Work Location:

• Location: University of Tennessee, Institute of Agriculture, Extension, Center for Profitable Agriculture at the Ridley 4-H Center in Columbia, Tennessee

• Onsite

Compensation and Benefits:

• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here

• Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions:

To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments. To be assured of full consideration, completed applications with all requested materials should be submitted on or before April 10, 2026. Applicants completing educational requirements prior to June 1, 2026 are welcome to apply.

1. Resume

2. Cover Letter

3. Official or unofficial transcripts showing degree(s) conferred.

    

About The College/Department/Division:

UT Extension’s Center for Profitable Agriculture is a partnership between the University of Tennessee and the Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation. Center staff provide educational materials, educational programming and technical assistance to farmers interested in value-added enterprises to improve farm income. Center staff are also working to develop landowner education programs to slow the rate of farmland loss in the state. Learn more at cpa.tennessee.edu.