How to hire an extension associate

How to hire an extension associate, step by step

Here's a step-by-step extension associate hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write an extension associate job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new extension associate
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The extension associate hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them an extension associate to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire an extension associate that fits the bill.

   Here's a comparison of extension associate salaries for various roles:

   Type of Extension Associate	Description	Hourly rate
   Extension Associate		$11-43
   Home Advisor	A Home Advisor's task is to develop a business system infrastructure to provide a pathway for the growth of executives, mid-management, and staff for a management consulting company. Home Advisors adapt to various communication styles for troubleshooting, which depends on the customers' technology level... Show more	$13-86
   County Extension Agent	A county extension agent is responsible for traveling to different areas within a county, facilitating various learning programs, and helping citizens learn about the advances and topics of industries like agriculture. They are responsible for coordinating with governmental and non-governmental organizations, developing materials to promote agricultural research, empowering investment opportunities, and facilitating meetings... Show more	$11-39

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Educational Programs
   • Data Collection
   • Food Safety
   • Program Planning
   • Fact Sheets
   • Natural Resources
   • Research Projects
   • Nutrition Education
   • Public Schools
   • Community Agencies
   • State Fair
   • Outreach Events
   • Community Organizations
   • Conference Calls

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Develop, implement and evaluate educational programs relating to commercial and consumer horticulture IPM including field demonstration trials.
   • Design and implement community trash disposal, recycling and composting project.

   More extension associate duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your extension associate job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. An extension associate can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, extension associates' average salary in oklahoma is 63% less than in pennsylvania.
   • Seniority. Entry-level extension associates 74% less than senior-level extension associates.
   • Certifications. An extension associate with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in an extension associate's salary.

   Average extension associate salary

   $47,631yearly

   $22.90 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level extension associate salary

   $24,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 15, 2026

   Average extension associate salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Massachusetts	$45,057	$22
   2	New York	$44,622	$21
   3	North Dakota	$38,593	$19
   4	North Carolina	$37,975	$18
   5	Louisiana	$37,179	$18
   6	Colorado	$36,920	$18
   7	Arkansas	$35,559	$17
   8	Mississippi	$35,017	$17
   9	Kansas	$34,617	$17
   10	Texas	$33,432	$16
   11	South Dakota	$32,429	$16

   Average extension associate salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Cornell University	$82,897	$39.85	7
   2	PSEA	$78,839	$37.90	1
   3	Central State University	$71,374	$34.31	21
   4	North Dakota State University	$61,507	$29.57
   5	LA State University Continuing	$56,901	$27.36	22
   6	North Carolina A&T State University	$54,786	$26.34	9
   7	University of Massachusetts Amherst	$54,467	$26.19	2
   8	Texas A&M University-Commerce	$53,334	$25.64
   9	Mississippi State University	$40,083	$19.27	21
   10	Douglas County	$37,125	$17.85
   11	The Texas A&M University System	$36,821	$17.70
   12	University of Arkansas	$31,353	$15.07	7
   13	South Dakota Board Of Regents	$26,477	$12.73
   14	Kansas State University	$26,202	$12.60

4. Writing an extension associate job description

   A good extension associate job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of an extension associate job description:

   Extension associate job description example

   The College of Agriculture, Food and Environment department of Horticulture seeks an Agriculture Extension Associate for controlled environment horticulture production systems. The qualified candidate will be expected to design, develop, and deliver extension and educational programs, as well as collaborate with extension faculty to meet the needs of this rapidly emerging industry.
   IEBC (Internal Employee Being Considered).
   
   The University of Kentucky considers the health, safety and well-being of our entire community to be a top priority. In alignment with this priority, all new hires must provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination or obtain an approved medical or religious exemption as a condition of employment. For areas that fall under the federal CMS mandate, start of employment cannot occur until two weeks after receiving the full COVID-19 vaccination series or upon obtaining an approved exemption. Only vaccines approved by the World Health Organization can be accepted.
   
   Skills / Knowledge / Abilities
   
   Drivers license plus 5 years of driving experience strongly preferred.
   
   Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? No Preferred Education/Experience
   
   Undergraduate degree in Horticulture or Plant Science related field, and five years of work experience in a related field.
   
   Deadline to Apply 10/19/2022 University Community of Inclusion
   
   The University of Kentucky is committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce by ensuring all our students, faculty, and staff work in an environment of openness and acceptance. We strive to foster a community where people of all backgrounds, identities, and perspectives can feel secure and welcome. We also value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.
   
   As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we strongly encourage veterans, individuals with disabilities, women, and all minorities to consider our employment opportunities.
   
   Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find extension associates for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your extension associate job on Zippia to find and recruit extension associate candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting extension associates requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new extension associate

   Once you have selected a candidate for the extension associate position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new extension associate first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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