Campus

OSU-Stillwater

Contact Name & Email

Jane Carpenter, jane.carpenter@okstate.edu

Work Schedule

Monday through Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm with occasional evenings and weekends.

Appointment Length

Regular Continuous/Until Further Notice

Hiring Range

Commensurate with education and experience

Special Instructions to Applicants

For full consideration, please include a resume, cover letter and contact information for three professional references.

Priority Application Date

While applications will be accepted until a successful candidate has been hired, interested parties are encouraged to submit their materials by 2026-11-01 to ensure full consideration.

About this Position

The Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (DASNR), Oklahoma State University, invites nominations and applications for the position of Associate Vice President of the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service (OCES). This 12-month position is administratively responsible to the Vice President, Dean and Director, Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. 

The OCES employs more than 400 faculty, professional, and support staff. Employees are located on the OSU campus and in more than 80 locations throughout Oklahoma. The successful candidate will have a demonstrated commitment to the land-grant mission. 

The OCES Associate Vice President is the chief operating officer of OCES and will provide transformative statewide, regional, and national leadership in fostering high-quality and effective Cooperative Extension Service programs relevant to Oklahoma needs. The incumbent will:

•    Lead long-range program planning, implementation and reporting for the OCES system.
•    Work with the DASNR Vice President, Dean and Director to administer programs, personnel, and fiscal affairs.
•    Provide leadership to increase revenue for OCES with county, state, federal, and private sources.
•    Provide leadership for engagement with county and state leaders and legislators to enhance extension programming.
•    Actively seek input on program needs and to garner support for OCES from food and agricultural organizations, natural resource organizations, community health and wellness organizations, and other stakeholders.
•    Help lead campus-wide initiatives on Extension and coordinate with the Associate Vice President, Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station (OSU Ag Research), Associate Dean of the Ferguson College of Agriculture (Academic Programs), the Deans and extension leads from other Colleges at Oklahoma State University including the Colleges or Education and Human Sciences, Engineering, Architecture and Technology, Spears School of Business, Veterinary Medicine, and Arts & Sciences to achieve effective coordination of Extension programs. 
•    Manage day-to-day operations of OCES administrative issues.
•    Maintain an active role in regional and national organizations such as the Association of Southern Region Extension Directors and Association of Public and Land Grant Universities.
•    Actively engage with the USDA National Institute for Food and Agriculture, the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, and other federal and state agencies to coordinate Extension and outreach efforts across organizations to position OCES for funding opportunities.
•    Provide leadership for full compliance with the Affirmative Action and Equal Employment Opportunity Program in the OCES.
•    Serve as a member of DASNR’s executive team and coordinate with the Dean and VP, Associate Dean of the Ferguson College of Agriculture, and the Associate Vice President of the Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station to advance OSU Agriculture and ensure synergies with teaching, research, and Extension missions. 

Required Qualifications

• A terminal degree in a discipline related to the Cooperative Extension Service mission is preferred; exceptions may be made for individuals with exceptional leadership and administrative experience related to the OCES mission;
  (degree must be conferred on or before agreed upon start date)
• • Experience leading a complex organization with multiple layers of direct reports is strongly preferred;
  • A comprehensive understanding of non-formal youth and adult education and program development processes;
  • A demonstrated ability to serve effectively as an administrative leader; a proven ability to communicate effectively; and a demonstrated capability to manage personnel and budgets;
  • An understanding of issues important to Oklahoma agriculture, families, youth and communities and a grasp of the means to provide visionary and progressive leadership in the development of innovative programs;
  • A thorough understanding of all levels, programming areas, and aspects of the Cooperative Extension Service is essential with the ability to strengthen relationships with constituency groups at the county, state, and federal level.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience in the Cooperative Extension System is preferred.