Position Title:
Education Extension Specialist III
Job Group:
Professional & Scientific
Required Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree and 5 years of related experience
Job Description:
Build the Future of Agriculture
If you enjoy working with young people and want to help them discover the technologies, careers, and opportunities shaping the future of agriculture, this is the role for you.
Who We Are
The Digital Ag Innovation Lab at Iowa State University partners with leading agricultural companies to design, build, and deploy next-generation technologies for agriculture. Our team works at the intersection of applied engineering, industry collaboration, and the land-grant mission, moving ideas from concept to prototype to field deployment.
Our vision is bold: to be the premier thought leader and partner in ag innovation.
Our mission guides everything we do: Innovate. Educate. Outreach.
We operate with four core values: Passion. Innovation. Collaboration. Excellence.
This is a place for builders, problem-solvers, and systems thinkers who want their work to move from idea → prototype → field → industry adoption.
The Opportunity
We are seeking a K-12 Agricultural Education & Outreach Specialist to bring ag technology to K-12 students across Iowa. Through school visits, FFA and 4-H programs, presentations, demonstrations, facility tours, and events, you will help students explore emerging agricultural technologies and the various career pathways available in agriculture.
This is a highly visible, statewide role for someone who enjoys presenting, building relationships, traveling, and representing Digital Ag and Iowa State University Extension in communities across Iowa.
What You'll Do
- Lead the development, coordination, and delivery of statewide K-12 agricultural technology education programs, including curriculum, presentations, demonstrations, and hands-on learning activities.
- Engage students, educators, FFA chapters, 4-H programs, school clubs, and other youth-focused organizations through educational presentations, school visits, facility tours, and events.
- Translate Digital Ag research and emerging technologies, including precision agriculture, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, data analytics, geographic information systems (GIS), robotics, drones, and automation, into engaging, age-appropriate educational content.
- Build relationships with educators, youth program leaders, and community partners to identify programming needs, expand engagement opportunities, and support ongoing collaboration.
- Collaborate with Digital Ag staff, Extension professionals, university partners, and K-12 educators to develop and maintain educational materials and programming.
- Represent Digital Ag, Iowa State University Extension, and the agricultural industry at school programs, career events, conferences, field days, and community activities.
- Develop and maintain a roadmap for current and future programs aligned with K-12 academic calendars, state and national conventions, and opportunities to reach target audiences across Iowa.
- Evaluate program participation, reach, feedback, and learning outcomes to document impact, inform continuous improvement, and guide future programming.
- Promote awareness of agricultural career pathways and connect students with educational and career opportunities available through Iowa State University and the agricultural industry.
What You Bring
- Experience working with K-12 students, educators, or youth-focused educational programs.
- Knowledge of agriculture and an interest in agricultural technology, innovation, and career development.
- Experience developing educational programs or curriculum for K-12 audiences and evaluating program participation, outcomes, or impact.
- Strong presentation and communication skills with the ability to engage audiences of different ages and backgrounds.
- Ability to translate technical and scientific information into clear, engaging educational content.
- Strong organizational and relationship-building skills, with the ability to independently coordinate programs, manage multiple priorities, and collaborate with educators, university partners, and community stakeholders.
- Professionalism and confidence representing an organization in public settings, along with the ability and willingness to travel regularly throughout Iowa.
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in agricultural education, agricultural communications, agriculture, education, Extension, agricultural business, agricultural engineering or technology, or a related field.
- Experience working with FFA, 4-H, agricultural education, Extension, or K-12 STEM programs.
- Familiarity with precision agriculture, agricultural equipment, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, data analytics, geographic information systems (GIS), robotics, drones, automation, or other emerging agricultural technologies.
- Experience coordinating educational or outreach programs across multiple schools, communities, or geographic regions.
- Experience developing partnerships with agricultural organizations, industry partners, or educational institutions to support youth programming or career exploration.
This position involves in state travel and may include occasional out of state travel, as well as evening and weekend hours.
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.
This is a term position with the expectation of long-term renewal.
The selected candidate will be hired as an Education Extension Specialist III.
Application Instructions:
To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:
- Resume/Curriculum Vitae
- Letter of Application/Cover Letter
Why Choose Iowa State University?
Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental, as well as:
- Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
- Generous vacation, holiday, and sick time and leave plans
- Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)
- Life insurance and long-term disability
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Various voluntary benefits and discounts
- Employee Assistance Program
- Wellbeing program
If you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment@iastate.edu, or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.
Appointment Type:
Regular with Term Appointment (Fixed Term)
Proposed End Date or Length of Term:
December 13, 2029
Number of Months Employed Per Year:
12 Month Work Period
Time Type:
Full time
Pay Grade:
PS808
Original Posting Date:
November 9, 2026
Posting Close Date:
November 29, 2026
Job Requisition Number:
R20185
Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email eooffice@iastate.edu.
General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.
