Faculty Employment Opportunity!
(Position title revised) Extension Specialist
Family and Human Development 

WVU Extension Service
Families and Health 
Knapp Hall
Morgantown, West Virginia  Closing Date: April 1, 2008  

Brief Description:This position is an appointment with West Virginia
University Extension Service in Morgantown, West Virginia. This position
provides statewide leadership in the area of family and consumer
sciences, delivering programs that enable families, adults, and
communities to build on their strengths, manage their resources, and
expand their future capabilities. The West Virginia University Extension
Service mission is to form learning partnerships with the people of West
Virginia to enable them to improve their lives and communities. The
Family and Human Development Specialist provides leadership, direction
and support for up-to-date programming and research from the social,
human, and behavioral sciences. The Family and Human Development
Specialist assists Extension faculty and program teams as well as
citizens to seek education and collaboration among Extension and public
and private sectors to build the capacity of families, adults,
volunteers, and communities. The significant area of responsibility will
be to identify problems, opportunities and needs of the intended
audience. Develop, implement, and evaluate informal educational programs
in the Family area of Family and Consumer Sciences, specifically in the
areas of young children (birth to age 8), building family resiliency,
stress management, balancing work and family life, retirement and aging
factors, child and adult care, and family connections. 
Major Responsibilities: Strengthen existing strategies and plan,
implement, and evaluate family-related education initiatives through
collaboration with county and state faculty, staff, and volunteers.
Develop opportunities for collaborative research to enhance Extension
programming in the area of family life and volunteerism. Develop a
productive research agenda based on program needs in collaboration with
other WVU Extension faculty. Remain up-to-date in information about and
research-proven strategies in the family-centered education field and
interpret research findings for practical application in Extension
programs. Work across Extension program units to integrate family life
education into adult and youth development, economic and community
development, and agricultural programs when appropriate. Actively
participate in Extension teams and committees to enhance
multidisciplinary programming. Work with other faculty to evaluate
programs to measure change in participant behavior toward attaining
goals and program objectives. Answer requests for information using a
variety of research-based resources. Participate in professional
development and training to stay current to advise and provide
educational information that is researched-based. Provide support and
collaboration to strengthen individuals and families through education
and leadership development while seeking ways to expand or redefine
program development, assessment of needs, and recruitment of individuals
and families with the Community Educational Outreach Service program
through collaboration with other faculty. Provide leadership to develop
recognized research initiatives for Extension faculty as related to
family programming in areas such as diversity, pluralism, building
strong families and communities, relationships, character, emergency
preparedness, family financial literacy, traditions, satisfaction, and
other areas contributing to the strengthening of families. Develop and
maintain additional partnerships with the WVU Davis College Division of
Family and Consumer Sciences and other WVU units and faculty to link
on-campus resources to the needs of communities. Facilitate and
coordinate the cooperation and support from Extension faculty, staff,
and administrators with family programs, conferences, area meetings,
educational materials, and county-level programming. Represent West
Virginia University Extension’s interest in family life matters with
WVU, state, federal, public, and private partners. Develop creative
materials related to programming that are validated by peers. Identify,
seek, and secure grant funding for programming within the Families and
Health Programs Unit. Secure external funds through grants, contracts,
cooperative agreements, and other innovative efforts to support
Extension Family programming within the WVU Extension Service mission.
Serve on selected committees and participate in professional
associations as appropriate. 

For West Virginia and the Nation:Build relationships with stakeholders
Provide technical information to the state and to communities
Collaborate with individuals, groups, and government Be 'known'
statewide as expert in area Operate at "cutting edge" in field Provide
continuing education in subject area 
For WVU Extension:Provide leadership to Extension in subject area
Co-lead program teams Support county programming in subject area
Produce/coordinate educational material Develop resources for Extension
programs Provide in-service training Provide leadership in research
Maintain/continuously improve quality of Extension programs Support
organizational development Qualifications: Master’s degree required,
doctorate degree preferred from an accredited institution of higher
education in a field relevant to families and youths such as education,
family and consumer sciences, or human development. Three years of
directly related experience working in the area of families and youth is
required. Documented evidence of success in providing leadership for
community-based family and adult programs. Documented evidence of
ability to use research skills, assess needs, evaluate programs, and
conduct applied research related to area of placement. Documented
experience in supervision, resource development, and team leadership.
Proficiency in oral and written communication and computer skills.
Special Requirements:Ability to pass a criminal background check.
Ability to meet travel demands of position (overnight stays), such as
trainings, camps, conferences, professional development
sessions/trainings. Required to take and pass the WVU Driver's Safety
Training exam. Willingness to work flexible hours including some nights
and weekends. Ability to lift and carry materials needed to conduct
trainings and perform duties of the position. Research and write regular
topical articles for newspapers, newsletters, and Web-sites in
collaboration with WVUES Communications. Salary:Salary range for
position is $54,000 to $58,000. Salary will be commensurate with
professional qualifications. This is a 12-month, full-time, tenure-track
position with the West Virginia University Extension Service. The
successful candidate will be evaluated on providing a significant
contribution in teaching and research and a reasonable contribution in
service. Individuals will be hired at a salary level appropriate to
educational background and work experience (assistant or associate
professor level). Benefits: 401k Retirement program with employer
matching Annual Leave (24 days annually) Sick leave (18 days annually)
Paid holidays (12+ days annually) Workers' Compensation Optional
benefits: Group Health, Life, and Accident insurances Disability
Insurance Optional pre-tax benefits: Child care Dental care Supplemental
retirement programs Vision care Tuition Waiver (6 credit hours per
semester) Travel expense reimbursement Moving expense reimbursement
There are several additional programs and privileges. Application
Process:If you meet the stated requirements and would like to be
considered for the position, all of the following information must be
received by the closing date of April 1, 2008:

A cover letter indicating the position that you are applying for
outlining experience and qualifications; Resume or curriculum vitae of
academic training and professional experience of all academic work which
must include the following information: Date(s) of employment
Supervisor(s) names Contact information A list of three references
(including address, e-mail, phone, and fax numbers) who can reflect on
the applicant's professional strengths. All application material,
excluding transcripts, must be sent in electronic submissions and
must be received before closing date in Word format. Transcripts:
Undergraduate and graduate (unofficial copy will be accepted, no fax
accepted hard copy by mail or electronic only). Send to
[log in to unmask] NOTE: All application material,
including transcripts, must be received by closing date or the
individual will not be considered for the position. 
For inquiries, call:Kim Suder, Human Resources Director 
West Virginia University Extension Service 
P.O. Box 6031 Morgantown, WV 26506-6031 
Phone: 304/293-4555; (Fax): 304/293-4565
Social Justice:The incumbent in this position is responsible for
fulfilling the legal and moral mandates of appropriate laws and
University policies regarding civil rights compliance, the Americans
with Disabilities Act (ADA), and related social justice issues. Equal
Employment Opportunity:West Virginia University is an Equal Opportunity
Employer and applicants will be considered solely on the basis of
individual qualifications and merit without regard to race, color,
national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs,
sexual orientation, and marital or family status. Minorities, persons
with disabilities, females and other protected class members are
encouraged to apply. Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities
Act, applicants needing reasonable accommodations during the employment
process should advise as necessary.
Submitted by Kim Suder. Last modified February 21, 2008 
Comments to:Extension Service Web 
 
 
Kerri J. Wade
Extension Agent - Kanawha County
West Virginia University
15 Manfred Holland Way
Dunbar, WV 25064
phone: 304.768.1202
fax: 304.768.6914