The Office of Engagement and Extension (OEE), in cooperation with the Colorado State University (CSU) colleges and other units, has general charge over the University’s educational programs and services across the areas of engaged scholarship, extension, and extended campuses, which complement and reinforce the research, teaching, and service missions of CSU. OEE is collaborative space for faculty, staff, and students pursuing and promoting community-based research, service-learning, industry partnerships, and other forms of the scholarship of engagement. In partnership with the CSU colleges and other divisions, OEE faculty and staff work throughout the state of Colorado to engage individuals and communities in the design, implementation, and application of scholarship and educational opportunities. The OEE Vice President is the principal administrative, academic, and fiscal officer for the division, reports to the CSU President, and works closely with the Provost/Executive Vice President. OEE includes over 400 employees, and operates with a total budget across the enterprises of approximately $85 million. OEE is one of the most institutionally comprehensive commitments to engagement and outreach among all land-grant and other universities. Propelled by OEE’s leadership, nationally CSU is a Carnegie Engaged University (2008, 2014), is a member of the Engagement Scholarship Consortium, is an APLU Innovation and Economic Prosperity University (2016) and is highly ranked for its online degree programs. CSU was established in 1870 and remains inspired by its land-grant heritage and world-class faculty, staff, and students. CSU enrolls approximately 33,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students, and is the largest employer in northern Colorado with more than 7,400 faculty and staff. Colorado State University is located 60 miles north of Denver in the beautiful city of Fort Collins.

CSU Extension, organized under OEE, is the academic unit designated to promote the land-grant mission of increasing access to education through the application of university knowledge “in the several pursuits and professions in life” 1 for the people and communities of Colorado, across the United States, and around the world. In partnership with CSU’s colleges and external partners, CSU Extension amplifies the research, teaching, service, engagement, and extension missions of CSU. CSU Extension faculty aim to educate, create, and connect with learners through inclusive, transdisciplinary, and activated engaged scholarship, and innovative, accessible, and connected lifelong education. To learn more about CSU Extension, visit www.extension.colostate.edu.

We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of all backgrounds and abilities. We invite you to review Colorado State University’s Principles of Community that guide our mission and vision of access, teaching, service, and engagement. Colorado State University encourages professional development and provides an Employee Study Privilege with up to 9 credit hours of tuition assistance annually.

These regional specialists, one based in the Eastern region and one based in the Western region of Colorado, will support vibrant communities in that region through capacity building and technical assistance provided to community leaders and initiatives focused on regional development, including specific programming related to civic capacity building and strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem. ( Regional Map for CSU Extension)

These regional specialist will be responsible for creating new and expanded educational pathways through analytics, reimagining ways of working with civic and industry leaders, and partnering in grants and programs to expand the resiliency and sustainability of local governments, economic sectors and community assets. The specialist will work with a team to co-create new ways of doing business with staff, partners, and stakeholders that remove systemic barriers to accessing Extension programing and resources.

This position is part of the Rural Engagement Initiative – Vibrant Communities. The person in this position is expected to participate in the cohort of Rural Initiative hires, as well as collaborate with a set of Engaged Centers focused on this work in rural Colorado (Family Leadership Training Institute, Regional Economic Development Institute).

OEE invites applications and nominations for two Extension Regional Specialists, Vibrant Communities. This is a full-time, twelve (12) month, non-tenure track faculty position on the Extension instructor track (instructor, senior, master) or the Extension professor track (assistant, associate, professor) dependent upon the candidate’s academic credentials and professional experience. The faculty appointment, evaluation, and promotion standards are centered around the three core duties of extension faculty – educate, create, and connect ( Faculty Educate Create Connect Supplemental PDF (1).pdf). Candidates are sought with interests that complement and expand upon current initiatives and education activities in OEE.

The Extension Regional Specialists will serve as key members of a statewide team to guide Colorado State University’s collaborative work with communities to respond to challenges and opportunities facing rural Colorado. The individuals in this role will educate, connect, and co-create information and content through applied research, community-based teaching and technical assistance, engaged scholarship, and collaborations that lead to transformative and meaningful learning experiences for all residents of Colorado. Under the supervision of a CSU Extension Regional Director, and in collaboration with several CSU Engaged Centers (Family Leadership Training Institute, Regional Economic Development Institute, Food Systems Institute), this individual will serve as a key leader for Rural Engagement Initiative. Core to the work is using an equity and social justice framework to identify audiences and their interests; design and implement responsive educational programs; provide training and co-create content with Extension colleagues; collaborate with partner organizations and community members and refine program delivery and program evaluation methods.

The individuals in this position will provide leadership, guidance, direction, and facilitation of Extension programs related to designated area(s) of emphasis/focus, including some combination of community, economic, civic and food system expertise. Extension Regional Specialists develop an annual plan of work that includes strategies for the implementation, evaluation and reporting of outcomes that result from the plan. The people in this position will collaborate, expand the reach of Colorado State University, increase resources allocated for this work, develop innovative programming and curriculum that addresses shifts in educational program delivery, identify teaching and learning strategies that align with learner needs, and engage volunteers, stakeholders, and partners in the work. Establish and maintain relationships with county, school, and community stakeholders and partners, providing connections between regional partners and campus collaborators. Extension Regional Specialists independently manage time, schedule programs.

The primary office location for these positions will be decided at time of offer, in a county in the Eastern Region or Western Region dependent on established office spaces and a candidate’s location of preference. (Main Regional office locations include: Eastern Region – Sterling, CO; Western Region – Grand Junction, CO). While this position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement, the individual is expected to maintain a balance establishing a presence in the primary office, to effectively carry out the duties of the position. The work schedule will vary, and occasional nights and weekends will be required.

These are currently on-going, special positions, subject to annual funding.

If selected candidate has a bachelor’s degree, candidate will begin at Instructor rank. Faculty rank will be determined by candidate’s academic credentials and professional experience ( Faculty Rank Supplemental PDF (1).pdf).

For full consideration, all materials must be RECEIVED no later than 11:59 PM Mountain Time on Sunday, March 19, 2023. Please submit the following to apply:

All applicants will be contacted approximately 15 working days after the deadline regarding their status. Next steps and interview dates will be shared to those moving forward. Four professional references will be requested of applicants that advance in the interview process.

For questions regarding the application process, contact the Office of Equal Opportunity at (970) 491-5836 or email oeo@colostate.edu. For questions regarding the job vacancy, responsibilities, and salary, please contact Eric McPhail at Eric.McPhail@colostate.edu.