Extension Specialist, Upper Middle, Agricultural & Resource Economics, Farm Management: UTIA

• Deliver programs through workshops, meetings, seminars, farm and office visits, and direct counseling with farm families and small rural businesses.
• Teach farm and rural small agricultural-related business planning, decision-making, marketing, and feasibility analysis.
• Develop an effective Extension educational program.
• Utilize economic outlook meetings, mass media, and other appropriate teaching methods in the delivery of educational programs.
• Maintain a close working relationship with the Regional Agriculture and Natural Resources Leaders, state staff in the Agricultural and Resource Economics Department, other state specialists, and agents in the designated area in order to support the total Extension education program.
• Secure extramural funds through grants, fee-based programs, and gifts.
• Accurately reports ANR program accomplishments and impacts into the UT Extension reporting system in a timely fashion.
• Assume other duties as assigned.

The UT Center of Farm Management Director and the Agricultural and Resource Economics Department Head will be administratively responsible for this position. The UT Center of Farm Management Director and the MANAGE Coordinator will provide program support and will have direct input on job performance.

• Program Development (including curriculum development and grantsmanship).
• Teaching (in-service training for agents and multi-county programs) Teaching the program as a train the trainer to employees throughout the state.
• Conducting needs assessment and environmental scanning. Keeping current on all current trends in their program area and ability to create curriculum to employees who will be teaching it to clientele.  Conducting assessments to find the needed programs in portions of the state. 
• Program evaluation - Evaluating number of contacts throughout the state for area program. What impact has it provided or not provided.  How to update the program from the data.
• Coordinate and select tasks forces within UTIA for action.
• Program management- Determining changes and updates to the statewide program.
• Public relations-Publications, websites, videos, Facebook pages, and other ways of contacting the public with our programs. Must provide a professional image of Extension.
• All other duties assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Education: 

  • Master’s degree in agriculture or a closely related field, or substantial work experience which demonstrates promise in teaching, Extension and/or service in alignment with the appointment. Applicants graduating prior to position start date are welcome to apply.

• Experience: 
  • Agricultural Experience
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: 
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills. 
  • Valid Driver's License

 

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without need now or in the future for sponsorship for employment-based visa status.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Education: 
  • Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics or Business Administration (DBA)
• Experience: 
  • 1-3 years Experience in agricultural economics, farm management, agricultural finance, or related field.
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: 
  • Agricultural Production Experience 

Work Location:

• Location: Carthage, TN (Smith County)
• Onsite

Compensation and Benefits:

• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
• Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions:

To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments. To be assured of full consideration, completed applications with all requested materials should be submitted on or before May 1, 2026. Anticipated hiring beginning in June 2026.

• Resume

• Cover Letter

• Official or unofficial transcripts showing degree(s) conferred

About The College/Department/Division:

 

The UT Center of Farm Management facilitates Extension, Teaching, and Research programs on farm financial management in Tennessee, and across the Mid-South. The Center focuses on meeting the needs of Tennessee producers and enhancing long-term profitability and sustainability of agriculture enterprises in Tennessee.

 

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees—the Volunteers—who uphold the university’s tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service. 
UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee’s flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy’s largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory. 
The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service.  
UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices to attract and retain top-tier talent, fostering a strong staff community and supporting a culture of involvement and engagement for everyone. 
The university holds a strong commitment to its land-grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as “Best Employer for New Graduates,” “One of America’s Best Large Employers,” and “Best Workplace for Women,” and has been designated as “Best Place for Working Parents” by Forbes Magazine.  
Apply today and join the Tennessee Volunteer community!