Job Openings

District Extension Director – Northwest

University of Georgia

Location: Griffin, Georgia
Application Deadline: 2026-11-15

View Full Position Announcement

District Extension Director – Northwest                                                 

Headquarters:  Griffin, Georgia

Salary:   Commensurate with qualifications and experience 

Date Position Becomes Available:   January 1, 2027

Closing Date: All applications received by November 15, 2026, are assured full consideration.

Position Overview:

The District Extension Director (DED) is a member of the Extension Leadership Team in the College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences (CAES), at the University of Georgia, responsible for administering the Extension program in one of four districts across the state.  The College is one of the largest colleges of agriculture in the nation and supports a $100.4 billion agricultural industry, the largest sector of the economy in the state of Georgia.  For over 100 years, UGA Cooperative Extension has provided free, reliable, research-based information to farmers, businesses, and families, and has taught life skills and lessons to millions of young people. 

Area of Responsibility:

The Northwest District of Georgia is comprised of a mix of 39 urban and rural counties.  As the urban center of Georgia, the Metro Atlanta area serves as home to more than 50% of the total population of Georgia.  The Northwest District Extension Director is responsible for approximately 300 employees and oversees a budget of approximately $7 million. The office is located on the UGA Griffin Campus in Griffin, Georgia.

Qualifications:

  • Master’s degree or higher from an accredited university in a field related to Cooperative Extension, Management, or Public Administration, and have the rank or be able to qualify for the rank of Senior Public Service Associate (or equivalent rank) at the University of Georgia See the University of Georgia Guidelines for Appointments and Promotions for Public Service and Outreach Academic Rank for information regarding the Public Service Faculty ranks.
  • Ability to provide strong visionary and progressive administrative leadership
  • Substantial knowledge and understanding of Extension organization, operation, philosophy, and objectives
  • Demonstrated abilities in the areas of planning, organizing, budgeting, personnel management, motivating employees, and team building
  • Ability to effectively relate to and communicate with staff, faculty, and the public
  • Knowledge and proficiency in the use of technology in support of program delivery, training, and staff development
  • Demonstrated knowledge and experience in at least one core area of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Family and Consumer Sciences, or 4-H Youth Development
  • High degree of competency in human relations skills
  • County Extension competency, especially as a County Coordinator, is highly desirable

Administrative Relationships:

  • Will lead the Northwest Extension District staff under the supervision of the Associate Dean for Extension and the Director of County Operations.
  • This is a University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences 12-month Public Service or Tenure-Track faculty position located in the Northwest District of Georgia, which consists of 39 counties. To see the district map and counties visit: https://extension.uga.edu/about/districts--facilities--and-centers/northwest-district.html  

Major Responsibilities:

  • Position responsibilities include budget management, personnel administration, performance evaluations, employee relations, staff recruitment & development, liaison with organizations serving urban environments, and serving as a liaison to local governments.
  • The Director provides administrative leadership for the district team, which consists of County Extension Coordinators, county and district Extension staff and Program Development Coordinators in each of the following areas: Agriculture and Natural Resources, Family and Consumer Sciences and 4-H Youth Development.
  • The position guides county Extension faculty in the Public Service promotion process and the implementation and management of multi-county programming.
  • The successful candidate will oversee all phases of program planning, including needs assessment, program development, implementation, evaluation, and fund development.
  • The successful candidate will be expected to oversee the delivery of high-quality extension programs in cooperation with appropriate extension and research leaders.
  • The individual will also be expected to work effectively with, and represent faculty to, University of Georgia administrators, UGA Public Service Units, Fort Valley State University Extension, state and federal agency personnel, industry clientele and local governments.
  • Assume other duties as directed by the Director of County Operations, Associate Dean for Extension, and Dean of CAES.

 

Application Procedure:  Applicant screening will begin immediately. Candidates are encouraged to submit their materials by November 15, 2026, to ensure review; however, screening will continue until the position is filled. Applicants should submit formal applications, including a current resume, cover letter expressing their interest and qualifications for the position, and a one-page statement summarizing their philosophy for the position and other supporting materials online at https://www.ugajobsearch.com/postings/509117.  Include names and addresses of four references (who will not be contacted without further correspondence with the applicant).   Please direct questions about the position to Denise Everson, Northeast District Extension Director, at deverson@uga.edu or 706-542-3179.

 

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR (hrweb@uga.edu).