Extension Agent – Cottonwood District

Ben Sims to serve as Cottonwood District extension agent.

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Ben Sims will begin serving as the Cottonwood District 4-H youth development extension agent, effective Sept 15. Cottonwood District has extension offices in Great Bend and Hays, Kansas. Sims’s primary office is in Great Bend.

Sims earned his bachelor’s degree in animal sciences from College of the Ozarks. He has most recently been employed as an agriculture and natural resources extension agent for K-State Extension – Greenwood County in Eureka, Kanas.

4-H youth development agents develop and deliver educational programs for school-aged youth.  This includes supporting community clubs, out-of-school programs, school enrichment, volunteer management, and outreach to create new program opportunities with new and existing community partners.

Local extension faculty are jointly employed in a partnership between K-State Extension, headquartered on the Kansas State University campus in Manhattan, and the local extension board.

The role of K-State Extension is to encourage the adoption of research-based information to improve the quality of life for Kansans. K-State Research and Extension is the short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service.

More information about K-State Extension – Cottonwood District is available online at cottonwood.k-state.edu. Contact Ben Sims via email at benjam63@ksu.edu.

Agriculture Mechanics Teacher – West Elk

*This would be for a second ag teacher.

Industrial Trades Teacher 4-Day Week (Ag./Woods/Fabricating/Mechanics)

West Elk USD 282 • westelk.us

West Elk is seeking an additional teacher to “supplement” current Industrial Trades offerings and high student enrollment in the current offerings as well as “expand” offerings to the Industrial Trades Program . Currently West Elk offers the following classes with two Trades Educators:

Agricultural Technology & Mechanical Systems Pathway AND Diversified Agricultural Science Pathway:

Introduction to Agriculture – 9th

Animal Science – 10th

Horticulture – 11th

Agricultural Mechanics – 11th

Advance Agricultural Mechanics – 12th

Agribusiness – 12th

Ag Communications – 12th

Construction and Design Pathway

Introduction to Skilled Trades – 8th

Design Strand:

Drafting/CAD – 9th

Research and Design for Preconstruction – 10th

Construction Strand:

Woodworking Principles – 9th

General Carpentry I – 10th

Advanced Materials and Fabrication – 10th

General Carpentry II – 11th

Research and Design in Building Trades – 11th

Advanced Woodworking – 12th (Building/construction trades)

With the onboarding of an additional Industrial Trades Educator, collaborative planning will take place for the 25-26 schedule. Applicants can expect a focus on lab work in areas they are certified (or can be certified).

West Elk has a strong FFA enrollment and engagement within the student body and has access to 15 acres of agriculture land on campus. The program also includes an ag. barn, large greenhouse, and livestock infrastructure.

West Elk piloted a Building Trades/Construction offering this school year with early success with the time provided. Expansion of this program within the schedule is a goal of the district.

Diverse experience/skill in the components above, desire to support current offerings, strong leadership, collaborative skills, and a passion for promoting district vision endeavors of current and future programing are essential components to the position.

Benefits Information

District full paid single BCBS of Kansas Health Insurance

Salary Information

West Elk prides itself with a competitive salary schedule. The base salary is $45,470 and accepts years of experience. 163 day contract with a base salary daily rate of $279

Employer Information

West Elk USD 282 is located in Howard, Kansas, serving approximately 400 students in preschool through graduation. West Elk Schools operate on a four-day school week (155 student days/163 teacher contracted days), with Monday being the non-school day. West Elk USD 282 is classified as a 2A district and offers most traditional JH/HS athletics and extra-curricular activities for students. The district offers summer programming for K-8 students. West Elk has been recognized for high academic rigor and success, with the success of over 86% of our students meeting or exceeding Math and Reading standards on Kansas Assessments. 

West Elk has competitive extra-curricular programs, and strong community support. Recently, the patrons of West Elk USD 282 showed their support by passing a bond election, with a 75% voting approval, for the purpose of building a new elementary wing, multi-purpose room, and staff work space. These facilities are now occupied by the PREK-6th grade elementary students.

West Elk is in the process of opening a full time early childhood center/daycare (birth-12) facility on campus. Enrollment for children of staff are protected and prioritized. 

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Job Contact Address

1201 S. Highway 99, P.O. Box 607
Howard, KS 67349

Job Start Date: August-7-2025

Applications Due By: August-1-2025

Job Contact Information

MARTIN BURKE
martin.burkesupt@westelk.us
620-374-2113 / cell:

Extension Agent – Pottawatomie Co.

Amber Sharpe will begin serving as the Pottawatomie County 4-H youth development extension agent, effective May 12. Pottawatomie County’s office is in Westmoreland, Kansas.

Sharpe earned her bachelor’s degree in agricultural education from Oklahoma State University.  She has most recently been employed as a 4-H program assistant for K-State Research and Extension’s Pottawatomie County office in Westmoreland, Kansas.

4-H youth development agents develop and deliver educational programs for school-aged youth. This includes supporting community clubs, out-of-school programs, school enrichment, volunteer management, and outreach to create new program opportunities with new and existing community partners.

More information about K-State Research and Extension Pottawatomie County is available online at pottawatomie.k-state.edu. Contact Amber Sharpe via email at: asharpe@ksu.edu.