Extension Director (Coastal Region)

Salary: $83,000.00 - $93,000.00 Annually
Location : Charleston County, SC
Job Type: Temporary Grant - Full-Time
Job Number: PSA048
Agency: South Carolina State University
Division: Office of 1890 Research & Extension Programs
Opening Date: 09/01/2026
Residency Requirement: Yes
Residency Requirement (specifics):: Applicant must live in the region that they serve.
Class Code:: UK55
Position Number:: PSA048
Normal Work Schedule:: Monday - Friday (8:30 - 5:00)
Pay Grade: Band 9
Hiring Range - Min.: $83,000.00
Hiring Range - Max.: $93,000.00
Agency Specific Application Procedures:: Applicants must submit a completed state application, resume/CV, and copies of all relevant transcripts. Transcripts may be unofficial for application purposes.
Veteran Preference Statement: South Carolina is making our Veterans a priority for employment in state agencies and institutions.

Job Responsibilities

SC State Public Service and Agricultural Mission: SC State 1890 Research and Extension innovates and educates to elevate the quality of life and raise the standard of living for all South Carolinians.

The Coastal Extension Director position is located at the Coastal Regional Office 35 Lee St, Charleston, SC 29403, and will serve as the Director for the 1890 Cooperative Extension Program. The Extension Director will provide programs and activities primarily in the Cluster Counties including Charleston, Berkeley, Colleton and Georgetown, but will also have programmatic responsibilities as requested throughout the state of SC. The Regional Director must have the ability to perform duties on their own initiative while receiving minimal supervision.

Job Responsibilities for the Extension Director

• Provide leadership, coordination, and staff supervision serving as liaison at state and local levels.
• Implement extension programs per the Plan of Work.
• Supervise all individuals in the regional office.
• Complete the position description/Employee Performance Evaluation for employees supervised.
• Manage the activities of staff to ensure efficient office operations, programs/projects and activities dissemination, and Programmatic Key Performance Indicators (KPI) implementation across the region.
• Provide leadership, evaluation, and supervision of staff and volunteers for effective programming.
• Develop, manage, and oversee the implementation of the regional programmatic activities KPI to ensure compliance with federal and state funding source requirements.
• Direct programming efforts for relevance, completeness, and effectiveness per the KPI and Civil Rights and Affirmative Action guidelines.
• Establish a regional advisory council and provide leadership training for the development and successful advocacy for program input and evaluation
• Partner with federal, state, and local agencies and officials to develop initiatives that reflect the stakeholders' needs and priorities within the region.
• Seek supplemental funding for program maintenance and expansion.
• Ensure staff use of Alternative Service Program Delivery Assessment recommendations, along with appropriate technologies to plan and deliver programs through workshops, seminars, conferences, one-on-one visits, field trips, and tours to clientele in the region.
• Work with State Program Leaders and other Regional Extension Directors and staff in short-term and long-term planning to develop statewide initiative plans which reflect the program needs and priorities for the counties, as well as the state and federal commitments.
• Provide leadership for the development and successful operation of an overall cluster partnering structure or advisory body that allows for program input, development and evaluation.
• Handle other personnel matters appropriately and effectively.

Minimum and Additional Requirements

• A master's degree in education, Agribusiness, Business Management, Social Sciences, Family and Consumer Sciences, or related areas required with (5) five years of extension and supervisory experience.

Additional Requirements

• Possess knowledge of the Land-Grant University System and the history, philosophy, organization, and objectives of the 1890 Cooperative Extension.
• Experience in planning, implementing and evaluating educational programs.
• The ability to work with staff to recruit, train and manage volunteers is required.
• Ability to recruit and market programs with confidence, make decisions, and be dependable.
• Provide courteous and responsive service to the public, diverse disadvantaged rural/urban people, as well as professionals.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office 365
• Ability to utilize technology and social media for the delivery of programs.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills are also required.
• A valid South Carolina driver's license is required

Preferred Qualifications
Additional Comments

Post Hire, employee must:

• Be able to use good judgment in making decisions.
• Exhibit a good working relationship with people.
• Be dependable in planning, implementing, and reporting activities.
• Must be able to relate to diverse disadvantaged rural/urban people as well as professionals.

Work Environment:

• Individuals will work with staff, State Program Leaders and other Regional Extension Directors in short-term and long-term planning to develop statewide initiative plans.
• Program needs and priorities will include regional state and federal commitments. The individual will provide leadership resulting in successful operations with regional stakeholders.

Physical Requirements:

• Position may involve occasional bending, moving, lifting, and carrying materials weighing up to 40 pounds.

Travel Requirements:

• Frequent travel within the region. Overnight in-state and out-of-state travel are required

Application Requirements/Special Instructions:

• Applicants must submit a completed state application, resume/CV, and copies of all relevant transcripts.
• Transcripts may be unofficial for application purposes; however, official transcripts will be required prior to employment.
• Applicants should ensure that all education and experience related to the minimum and preferred qualifications are clearly reflected in the application materials.
• Selected candidates may be required to participate in interviews and provide professional references.
• Incomplete applications, including those missing requested documents, may not be considered.
• Employment is contingent upon successful completion of all required pre-employment screenings in accordance with agency and university policies.

Benefits for State Employees
The state of South Carolina offers eligible employees generous benefits, including health and dental insurance; retirement and savings plan options; and paid vacation and sick leave. Plus, work-life balance programs such as telecommuting and flexible work schedules are available to employees of some state agencies.

Insurance Benefits
Eligible employees may enroll in health insurance, which includes prescription coverage and wellness benefits. Other available insurance benefits include dental, vision, term life insurance, long term disability and flexible spending accounts for health and child care expenses.

Retirement Benefits
State employees are also offered retirement plan options, including defined benefit and defined contribution plans. Additionally, eligible employees may elect to participate in the South Carolina Deferred Compensation Program, which is a voluntary, supplemental retirement savings plan offering 401(k) and 457 plan options.

Workplace Benefits
State employees may also be eligible for other benefits, including tuition assistance; holiday, annual and sick leave; and discounts on purchases, travel and more.

Note: The benefits above are available to most state employees, with the exception of those in temporary positions. Employees in temporary grant and time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some or none of these benefits as benefits are associated with each position type. For these positions, contact the hiring agency to determine what benefits may be available.
01

Do you have a master's degree or higher in Education, Agribusiness, Business Management, Social Sciences, Family and Consumer Sciences, or a closely related field?

• Yes
• No

02

How many years of Cooperative Extension experience do you have?
03

Describe your understanding of the Cooperative Extension System and your experience leading Extension, outreach, educational, agricultural, or community-based programs. Include any supervisory responsibilities and the number of employees you have managed.
04

Do you have experience planning, implementing, and evaluating educational or community-based programs while ensuring compliance with federal, state, or grant-funded requirements?

• Yes
• No

05

This position requires frequent travel throughout South Carolina, including overnight in-state and out-of-state travel, and requires a valid driver's license. Are you able to meet these requirements?

• Yes
• No

06

Do you have a valid drivers license?

• Yes
• No

07

Are you willing to reside within the region you are hired to serve as a condition of employment?

• Yes
• No

Required Question