Position Title:Extension Learning and Development Specialist – Dairy Goat
Job Group:Professional & Scientific
Required Minimum Qualifications:Bachelor’s degree and 3 years of related experience
Preferred Qualifications:Background in instructional/curriculum design and knowledge of curriculum development tools such as Articulate 360, etc.
Experience organizing and implementing online education and in-person training programs and assessing their effectiveness.
Demonstrated knowledge related to the dairy industry, animal science, and/or animal agriculture.
Experience applying Extension frameworks to deliver instruction for audiences with varying levels of experience or learning goals.
Experience interpreting technical or research-based content and translating it into accessible educational materials for youth, college students, and adult learners.
Job Description:
Are you looking for a role where your work truly matters-to producers, students, veterinarians, and communities? Do you want to join a team where mission-driven work and work-life balance go hand in hand?
If so, the Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) Extension and Outreach team is currently seeking applicants for a Learning and Development Specialist II that will focus on providing training for dairy goat production and sustainability. This position is specifically designed to provide educational development support for a USDA Sustainable Agricultural Systems grant related to dairy goat production in the United States. For more information about this project, please visit our website at https://www.dairygoatagrisystems.org/.
What You’ll Do:
+ Develop and deliver integrated extension and outreach programming focused on dairy goat production and sustainability.
+ Create producer-focused training modules, workshops, field days, webinars, podcasts, publications, and videos.
+ Coordinate with project co-PIs and partner institutions on extension strategies and outreach content.
+ Design and deploy training modules for practicing veterinarians.
+ Prepare instructional materials and maintain regular communication with project leaders and stakeholders.
+ Collect and analyze participant feedback through surveys and other assessment tools.
+ Assist in developing and delivering an intensive dairy goat production and sustainability workshop for high-school students.
+ Evaluate success of all educational programs and objectives.
+ Assist with the creation of a 1-credit undergraduate elective on dairy goat sustainability, including packaging materials for online use.
+ Develop educational tools to support veterinary students working with small-scale production animal operations.
This is a fixed-term position with an end date of 3/23/2028 with the opportunity for renewal.
Occasional travel will be involved in this role.
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 posting will be open until filled. However, to receive full consideration, applications need to be submitted before March 23rd, 2026.
About Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension and Outreach:
Agriculture is important to Iowa. We grow crops and raise livestock to feed our nation and beyond. Much of Iowa’s economy thrives on our rich agricultural heritage and ANR Extension and Outreach plays an important role in providing research-based information and resources to educate Iowa’s farmers, producers and agribusinesses. Our programs impact all Iowans, whether they live in a rural or urban area, and have been developed to improve our quality of life.
Level Guidelines- Intermediate-level position with solid professional and/or technical skills working under general supervision to achieve goals- Applies broad, working knowledge of the principles of the field to moderately complex, difficult, and varied problems and issues- Exercises judgment within defined procedures and practices to determine appropriate action and resolve problems- Responds to a broad range of inquiries and requests- May provide training and/or direction to lower-level staff- May lead projects of moderate scope and complexity- Provides guidance to students
Appointment Type:Regular with Term Appointment (Fixed Term)
Proposed End Date or Length of Term:March 23, 2028
Number of Months Employed Per Year:12 Month Work Period
Time Type:Full time
Pay Grade:PS808
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:1) Resume/Curriculum Vitae(Required)2) Letter of Application/Cover Letter(Required)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.Why Choose ISU?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- Iowa State offers WorkFlex options for some positions. WorkFlex offers flexibility on when, where, and how you do your work. For more information, please speak with the Hiring Manager.
Original Posting Date: March 9, 2026
Posting Close Date:
Job Requisition Number:R18749
By focusing on the future and providing the best student experience possible, Iowa State University (http://www.iastate.edu/) attracts students and faculty who want to make a difference. With a comprehensive?land-grant?mission of education, research, extension and outreach, we produce scholars whose ideas change the world. And through Innovate at Iowa State, we provide innovative and entrepreneurial opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Located just 30 minutes north of Des Moines, the city of Ames was recently named one of the Top 10 cities in the U.S. for campus life and career opportunities.
Iowa State University is a welcoming community of students, faculty, and staff. Campus community members have a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and are committed to engaging with each other respectfully as outlined in the university’s Principles of Community (https://www.iastate.edu/principles-community) . Iowa State recognizes that diverse intellectual and philosophical perspectives are vital to innovation, critical thinking skills, and a dynamic academic community that fosters the land-grant ideals of putting science, technology, and human creativity to work.
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If you have questions about the application process please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll-Free at 1-877-477-7485. Iowa State University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should email employment@iastate.edu or call (515) 294-4800 or Toll-Free: (877) 477-7485. TTY users are welcome to use the Iowa Relay Service number by dialing 7-1-1 or (800) 735-2942.
General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources (https://www.hr.iastate.edu/careers/compensation) website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.