Kansas State University Extension Programs is seeking a Regional Community Vitality Extension Specialist focused on Community Coaching. Based in Phillipsburg at the Huck Boyd Community Center, this specialist will shape the regional coaching ecosystem by providing transformational leadership, strategic guidance, and technical support for Extension professionals, local units, coalitions, and community leaders.
The specialist will serve as a connector between grassroots community efforts, local Extension offices, and campus partners. They will champion evidence-informed coaching models that equip community organizations and emerging initiatives to build local capacity from grassroots beginnings through long-term organizational sustainability.
Statewide Curriculum, Training & Resource Development
Team Leadership: Establish and lead a specialized Community Coaching Team consisting of local unit agents, regional specialists, and campus partners to develop a robust, statewide coaching curriculum adhering to K-State publication standards.
Resource Creation: Create practical, highly accessible community tools, diagnostic guides, and training modules designed for use by communities of varying capacity, including rural towns, underserved groups, and emerging coalitions.
Agent & Volunteer Development: In collaboration with system-wide volunteer specialists and local agents, design and lead structured professional development on volunteer recruitment, onboarding, retention, volunteer management, succession planning, and board/coalition leadership.
Framework Instruction: Apply and teach evidence-informed community development approaches, including appreciative inquiry, community capitals, and other asset-based frameworks.
Regional Community Coaching, Field Support & Programming
Core Community Coaching: Coach Extension professionals, community coalitions, and civic leaders through community assessment, visioning, goal setting, strategic planning, initiative implementation, evaluation, and long-term sustainability.
Local Unit Collaboration: Partner directly with local Extension units through both in-person and remote coaching to proactively identify and address regional programming gaps via stakeholder-driven networks and localized initiatives.
Program Implementation: Guide regional local units through all state-level Community Vitality program rollouts, facilitation frameworks, and coalition-building processes.
Impact Evaluation & Data: Facilitate and streamline the collection of community coaching data, utilizing Program Evaluation and Reporting System (PEARS) reporting alongside community feedback and stakeholder input to demonstrate measurable impact and continually refine programming.
Partnerships, Sustainability & Professional Development
Strategic Partnerships: Actively engage in regional and statewide networking to build multi-sector collaborations and expand programming across the region.
Multi-Dimensional Sustainability: Support local units and regional initiatives in building long-term community ownership, leadership pipelines, cross-sector partnerships, and organizational resilience.
External Funding Support: Identify and pursue appropriate grant, partnership, and cost-recovery opportunities that support sustainable programming, assisting local units with grant readiness and extramural proposal development.
Credentialing & Field Presence: Maintain active coaching credentials, participate in statewide Extension teams, and maintain a visible, engaged presence across regional communities.
K-State Extension improves Kansans' lives, livelihoods and communities through education, research, engagement and leadership. With scientists, educators and volunteers in each of the state's 105 counties, our professionals strive to make the university's research and scientific accomplishments accessible and relevant to every household.
This position is On-site. Specialists will live and work in their designated region. This position requires regular travel throughout the region to deliver in-person community coaching, support local unit activities, and attend evening and weekend community meetings as appropriate, balanced with remote delivery tools.
All employees must reside in the United States when they begin working to comply with state law. K-State is unable to provide remote or hybrid work opportunities for residents of the state of Idaho.
Minimum Qualifications:
The degree requirement is necessary for accreditation purposes and to ensure candidates possess the specialized knowledge, skills, and abilities that can only be attained through a formal educational program at this level.
Preferred Qualifications:
Additional Role Information:
Sponsorship eligibility:
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship
Please submit the following documents:
Applications close on: October 23, 2026
Commensurate with experience and education.
Kansas State University offers a supportive and inclusive community, dedicated to your professional growth. While specific benefits may vary by position, many roles come with comprehensive packages that support your well-being and work-life balance, including health and life insurance, retirement plans, and generous paid time off. To learn more about benefits that are available for various positions, visit our benefits overview page.
Employees must be authorized to work in the United States at the time of employment. International candidates who require employer-sponsored work authorization are welcome to apply. Eligibility for visa sponsorship depends on several factors, including but not limited to, the job’s occupational requirements, specific duties, wage level, the candidate’s qualifications (such as degree field) and available departmental resources. As a result, not all positions or applicants will be eligible for sponsorship.
Kansas State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran.
Some positions are eligible for remote or hybrid working arrangements. An employee who is working in a remote or hybrid capacity for K-State must reside within the United States in order to comply with all federal and state laws, filings, or tax requirements. Remote and hybrid work arrangements are not available for anyone who resides in the state of Idaho.
Kansas participates in the MakeMyMove program, which connects eligible newcomers with participating communities offering financial incentives, housing support, and local perks to help make your move easier and more rewarding. If relocating from outside of Kansas you can visit the site to apply online for the program incentives.
Upon acceptance of a contingent offer of employment, a candidate may be subject to a background check per K-State’s background check policy.
Kansas State University honors interview preferences for qualified applicants who are veterans or individuals with disabilities. Eligible applicants who meet the minimum qualifications, submit all required application materials, and submit required preference documentation by the closing date on the job advertisement will be granted a first-level interview.
The disability and veteran interview preferences do not apply to student employment positions, temporary positions, athletics positions, academic and administrative department heads*, positions that require licensure as a physician, and positions that require that the employee be admitted to practice law in Kansas.
*Heads of Departments refers to any individual holding a primary leadership role responsible for the overall strategic direction, management and operational oversight of a recognized academic or administrative unit within the university.
To learn more about interview preferences at K-State, please visit our interview preferences page.
We use cookies.
Some are necessary to operate the website and its functions. Others help personalize, improve content and services to show you the most relevant job opportunities. With the decision "Accept essential only" we will respect your privacy and will not set cookies that aren't necessary for the operation of the site.