Client Services Specialist-Penn State Extension

JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

Penn State Extension is dedicated to delivering science-based information to the people, businesses, and communities of Pennsylvania. Partnering with and funded by federal, state, and county governments, Extension provides unbiased support and education to the citizens of Pennsylvania. We are seeking a high performing and strategic Client Services Specialist with strong relationship building skills who has the potential to connect with stakeholders, raise awareness of the breadth of Extension products and services available, identify local issues and needs, and assist program teams in bringing the full resources of extension to address issues in their assigned geographic area.

This position reports to the Associate Director of Client Relations and serves the counties of Carbon, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike and Wayne. This position offers a flexible work arrangement that combines remote and on-campus work. Questions related to flexible work should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process.

Primary Job Responsibilities:

• Serve as an ambassador and face of the organization locally, with a focus on providing leadership and support to county councils and county commissioners.

• Develop long-lasting relationships with customers and key stakeholders in the area and match their priority issues and needs with existing organizational products/services.

• Stay current on Extension products, expertise, and services and effectively communicate the value and impact of the organization to Extension customers/stakeholders, and work with key stakeholders to advocate for and secure county funding.

• Support college and state advocacy efforts administered through the College Relations Office.

Performance Indicators:

Leadership and Supervision

• Accurately communicate and build support for the organization’s mission, vision, goals and initiatives.

• Provide strategic leadership, meeting management, and administrative support to all county councils within the area.

• Provide opportunities to connect county councils to Dean of the College, Director of Extension, and other college/extension leadership.

• Create a standard quarterly report for each county/area regarding programing/services provided, constituents engaging with Extension, and other relevant information to promote local organizational value and support.

• Stay current on all organizational products and services and promote them with local audiences.

• Work closely as a team with the BOM in the assigned Area to positively represent the organization.

• Attend local staff/leadership meetings within the Area as appropriate.

• Provide feedback on general performance of educators/administrative staff within the assigned Area.

• Be aware of and ensure compliance with relevant Penn State policies.

• Engage and model the use of organizational practices and tools (ex. Salesforce).

Product/Program Development and Delivery

• Ensure county councils and commissioners are aware of Program Teams and available organizational programs, events, and products.

• Ensure county councils and commissioners are aware of Extension’s value and impacts.

• Contribute to the implementation of the Program Development Process as requested by the ADPs and Marketing Strategy Specialists.

• Engage county councils in broadening the awareness of the value of Extension within their local community and increasing the local customer base.

• Identify opportunities to bring existing programs to bear on local issues.

Customer/Stakeholder Relations

• Recruit diverse volunteers to serve on the county council in support of Penn State Extension that are representative of the county and Extension program areas and have needed skill sets.

• Ensure council members are properly onboarded and get ongoing training on the mission, vision, strategies, priorities, structure, programs and impacts of the college and extension.

• Ensure council meetings are a strategic use of volunteers’ time and accomplish organizational goals.

• Create strategies for council members and commissioners to support and serve Penn State Extension locally (must have strong understanding of the organization at large.).

• Work with local extension educators and staff to promote extension’s mission, vision, structure, and awareness of current program portfolio with a focus on county councils and commissioners.

• Build awareness of extension’s services, programs, and impacts within the county.

• Work directly with county commissioners to convey the value of extension to their constituents and attend the county commissioner/department head meetings as appropriate.

• Work with College Relations Office, identify and support Penn State Extension Advocates within the state legislative districts within the area.

• Serve as a visible local brand ambassador and primary local point of contact for the organization; handing off requests as needed.

• Engage county educators, ADPs, program teams, and other organizational leadership in this effort as appropriate and encourage they attend appropriate Extension and stakeholder meetings.

• Communicate any significant local issues/conflicts to relevant ADP, Associate Director of Client Relations, and Director of College Relations.

Education and Experience:

Minimum requirements for this position include an associate's degree and two or more years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

This position requires that you operate a motor vehicle as a part of your job duties. A valid driver’s license and successful completion of a motor vehicle records check will be required in addition to standard background checks.

The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in all of its forms. We embrace individual uniqueness, foster a culture of inclusive excellence that supports both broad and specific diversity initiatives, leverage the educational and institutional benefits of diversity, and engage all individuals to help them thrive. We value inclusive excellence as a core strength and an essential element of our public service mission.

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades is:

$61,800.00 - $89,600.00

Salary Structure - additional information on Penn State's job and salary structure.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS: