Dekalb County, Georgia

DeKalb County, Georgia Classification Specification

COOPERATIVE EXTENSION AGENT (69020)

Purpose of Classification:

The purpose of this classification is to implement educational development programs for assigned areas of the Cooperative Extension program.

Essential Functions:

The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.

Provides educational programs and activities in designated program area for county stakeholders: develops and implements educational programs based on a needs assessment survey collected from stakeholders; attends state and district update planning and training sessions; develops materials to support education programming for participants; prepares, coordinates and trains volunteers for events; plans and executes educational events and activities.

Collaborates with other agencies and community groups to plan and implement programs for DeKalb County citizens: works with different organizations to develop educational programs for their target audiences; works with other departments on providing educational information for community events.

Answers requests for information from citizens and stakeholders through office visits, site visits, telephone calls and emails: answers clients concerns by telephone calls, emails, office visits or site visits.

Develops plans of work that are equitable in meeting the needs of the varied county socio-economic situation. Utilizes current research data and information on emerging issues in program development and teaching: attends annual meetings and meets with program manager and county director monthly to strategize effective plans to determine needs and gain additional resources to adapt to current emerging demographic and community updates. Writes impact statements annually to determine outcomes of targeted program and events.

Develops and implements promotional efforts to expand outreach of Cooperative Extension programming throughout the county. Develops, updates and disseminates brochures, website information, social media information, fliers, and attends public events/meetings: develops these and other communications and marketing tools to promote the program, its events and activities, and its results.

Develops monthly reports for DeKalb County and for the University of Georgia for the purpose of logging daily educational efforts: develops monthly, quarterly and annual reports to show educational efforts on the state and local level; develops annual reports for the number of volunteer hours.

Bachelor’s Degree in education, agriculture, horticulture or nutrition or a related field; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job. This classification is considered to be an entry-level professional position, however previous work experience is preferred. Specific License or Certification Required: Must possess and maintain a valid Georgia driver’s license. Specific Knowledge, Skills, or Abilities: Must be able to demonstrate proficiency in performance of the essential functions and learn, comprehend, and apply all county or departmental policies, practices, and procedures necessary to function effectively in the position.

Performance Aptitudes: Data Utilization: Requires the ability to evaluate, audit, deduce, and/or assess data using established criteria. Includes exercising discretion in determining actual or probable consequences and in referencing such evaluation to identify and select alternatives.

Human Interaction: Requires the ability to act as lead person or crew leader, providing guidance to a work unit, coordinating activities, and reviewing work of the unit.

Equipment, Machinery, Tools, and Materials Utilization: Requires the ability to operate, maneuver and/or control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions. Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize a wide variety of reference, descriptive, and/or advisory data and information. Mathematical Aptitude: Requires the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication and division; ability to calculate decimals and percentages; may include ability to perform mathematical operations with fractions; may include ability to compute discount, interest, and ratios; may include ability to calculate surface areas, volumes, weights, and measures. Functional Reasoning: Requires the ability to apply principles of influence systems, such as motivation, incentive, and leadership, and to exercise independent judgment to apply facts and principles for developing approaches and techniques to resolve problems. Situational Reasoning: Requires the ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving the evaluation of information against sensory, judgmental, or subjective criteria, as opposed to that which is clearly measurable or verifiable.

ADA Compliance:

Physical Ability: Tasks require the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, but which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight (5-10 pounds). Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or work station. Sensory Requirements: Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally. Environmental Factors: Essential functions are regularly performed without exposure to adverse environmental conditions.

DeKalb County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.