Lead Extension Coordinator, Arizona Project WET

As an Arizona Project WET (APW) Outreach Coordinator, Lead, you will play a key role in advancing water-focused environmental education programs that engage students, educators, communities, and professionals across Arizona. Through authentic, relevant, and meaningful learning experiences, you will deepen understanding of Arizona's water resources, including water availability, accessibility, use, management, and conservation. By sharing Arizona's unique water story, you will inspire and empower water-literate students, teachers, community leaders, and professionals to make informed decisions and serve as lifelong stewards of the state's water resources.

This advanced professional position leads the design, implementation, and evaluation of outreach and education initiatives that support Arizona Project WET's mission and strategic goals. Responsibilities include assessing educational and community needs; developing and enhancing programs, resources, and professional learning opportunities; evaluating program effectiveness and long-term impacts; communicating outcomes to stakeholders and funding partners; and fostering collaborative partnerships with schools, communities, agencies, and industry representatives. Working with substantial independence, the position exercises advanced judgment in addressing complex programmatic challenges, improving outreach strategies, and advancing program objectives. The APW Outreach Coordinator, Lead serves as a lead resource for assigned initiatives, contributes to grant-funded projects and resource sustainability efforts, and may provide guidance, training, or direction to support staff, student workers, volunteers, or project teams to expand the reach and impact of Arizona Project WET throughout Arizona.

Arizona Project WET is one of the most well-established water education programs in the Nation. This state program thrives thanks to the guiding principles of Arizona Cooperative Extension: a statewide framework, needs-based program development, and objective-driven, evaluated programs. Access to the world-renowned Project WET Foundation lessons enable us to activate locally and regionally specific content using the very best instructional practices.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!

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Strategic Program Design and Leadership:

• Design and lead
  comprehensive extension programs that respond to complex community,
  agricultural, or socioeconomic issues across Arizona regions in assigned focus
  areas.
• Set program
  goals, strategies, and evaluation plans in collaboration with faculty,
  specialists, and stakeholder groups.
• Oversee
  coordination of multiple projects or initiatives within the broader program
  portfolio.

Advanced Outreach and Research Integration:

• Lead strategies
  for educational outreach and specialized extension workshops that provide
  evidencebased solutions to complex community challenges.
• Collaborate
  with university researchers and faculty to translate advanced research findings
  and new technologies into practical tools and programs for Arizona communities.
• Develop
  specialized instructional materials and curricula tailored to diverse audiences
  and delivery formats (for example, field days, producer meetings, family
  workshops).

Needs Assessment and Impact Evaluation:

• Design and
  conduct independent, systematic needs assessments, including regional data analysis,
  to determine strategic extension program priorities and identify community
  assets.
• Develop or
  refine methods for measuring program effectiveness and longterm
  impacts using both quantitative and qualitative data.
• Use findings to
  inform strategic planning, resource allocation, and regional extension service
  delivery.

Scholarly Communication and Reporting:

• Author and
  publish technical reports, extension publications, and scholarly articles that
  communicate researchbased program results to professional peers, community
  stakeholders, and university leadership.
• Present program
  outcomes at conferences, advisory meetings, and university forums in clear,
  accessible language.
• Provide datainformed
  briefings to administrators and partners on program performance and regional
  trends.

Partnerships
and External Funding:

• Cultivate and
  advise strategic partnerships with campus units, agencies, industry groups,
  schools, and local governments to advance extension unit goals in assigned
  focus areas.
• Lead
  development of proposals to secure competitive external funding and grants to
  sustain and expand strategic extension initiatives.
• Steward funded
  projects by monitoring deliverables, timelines, and reporting requirements.

Knowledge,
Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):

• Knowledge of
  environmental education principles, experiential learning strategies, and
  Arizona water resources, conservation, and stewardship practices.
• Skill in
  planning, coordinating, and managing multiple projects simultaneously while
  maintaining attention to detail and meeting deadlines.
• Skill in
  delivering engaging presentations, facilitating professional learning
  opportunities, and communicating effectively with diverse audiences.
• Ability to
  synthesize educational standards, scientific content, and program objectives
  into relevant and meaningful learning experiences.
• Ability to work
  independently and collaboratively, exercising sound judgment to address complex
  challenges, build partnerships, and achieve program goals.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to
  lift and move equipment, up to 25 pounds, on a regular basis.
• Ability to drive a motor
  pool vehicle while pulling a cargo trailer.

This job posting reflects the general nature and level of work expected of the selected candidate(s). It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The institution reserves the right to amend or update this description as organizational priorities and institutional needs evolve.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through professional level experience required.
• Minimum of 5
  years of relevant work experience, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• Must have a valid driver's license and ability to drive according to the University Fleet Safety Policy.

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in a related field of study.
• Experience developing, implementing, and evaluating environmental, natural resource, or water education programs for diverse audiences.
• Experience integrating Arizona academic standards, STEM/STEAM concepts, and environmental education best practices into formal and/or informal educational settings.
• Experience building and maintaining partnerships with schools, community organizations, government agencies, and other stakeholders to support educational initiatives.