Digital Agriculture Extension Lead

Position Title:

Digital Agriculture Extension Lead

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 want to help farmers and agricultural professionals understand and adopt emerging technologies, 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 Digital Agriculture Extension Lead to lead the people, programs, and partnerships that deliver Iowa State University Extension programming on digital agriculture throughout Iowa and beyond.

This role connects research and technology development with practical education for a wide range of audiences, from farmers to agricultural professionals. You will lead the strategy, roadmap planning, new program development and delivery of hands-on programs that translate emerging agricultural technologies and Digital Ag research into actionable outcomes that create direct and measurable on-farm value.

Working with Digital Ag researchers, engineers, agronomists, Extension specialists, field staff, and industry partners, you will identify educational needs, develop programming, lead Extension staff, and expand the reach and impact of Iowa State University’s Extension and Outreach portfolio.

What You'll Do

• Lead Digital Ag's Extension program, including strategy, roadmaps, staffing, partnerships, and annual programming.
• Develop and deliver new educational programs that translate research findings and emerging agricultural technologies into practical information for farmers and agricultural professionals.  Programs will focus on connecting agronomic research, technology and machinery implementation, systems thinking in crop production, and innovation through data and AI. 
• Identify producers and industry needs and use them to guide future programming and educational resources, ensuring content remains highly relevant.
• Lead and develop program staff, students, and other contributors involved in Iowa State Extension programming in Digital Ag.
• Build partnerships across Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, including field agronomists, agricultural engineers, campus specialists, and county and regional staff.
• Develop relationships with farmers, agribusinesses, commodity organizations, technology companies, and other partners to expand program reach and engage new audiences.
• Measure and communicate program participation, learning outcomes, adoption, and economic or operational impact.

What You Bring

• Experience in Extension and outreach, professional education, agricultural training, technical education, product support, agronomy, precision agriculture, agricultural equipment, or a related field.
• Knowledge of production agriculture and technologies used in modern crop production systems.
• Experience developing and delivering high impact educational programs, technical training, demonstrations, field days, or similar programming.
• Ability to translate complex technical and research information into clear, practical guidance for farmers and agricultural professionals.
• Experience leading people, managing budgets and programs, and coordinating cross-functional teams.
• Experience building relationships with farmers, industry partners, researchers, and agricultural organizations.
• Strong communication, facilitation, and presentation skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in agricultural education, agricultural engineering, agronomy, agricultural systems technology, crop science, or a related field, or equivalent industry experience.
• Experience developing educational programs for farmers, agricultural professionals, or adult learners.
• Experience with digital agriculture, precision agriculture, agricultural equipment, application technology, or emerging agricultural technologies.
• Experience developing partnerships among universities, industry, and agricultural organizations.
• Experience managing multiple programs, events, budgets, and staff.
• Experience evaluating educational programs and documenting outcomes and impact.
• Experience developing externally funded Extension, educational, or industry-partnership programs.

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 a Manager Engineering.

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 [email protected], 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:

PS812

Original Posting Date:

November 6, 2026

Posting Close Date:

November 29, 2026

Job Requisition Number:

R20184

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 [email protected].

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.