Program Focus Teams - Roles and Responsibilities
Areas of Program Focus Module
K-State Research and Extension Agents and Specialists are engaged in an ongoing process of Professional
Development. Program Focus Teams (PFT) of Extension Specialists and Agents were formed in 2006. Teams
determine appropriate professional development opportunities to assist agents in developing expertise in the area
of program focus and lead program development initiatives.
A. Purpose of Program Focus Teams:
1. Identify the basic knowledge areas and general training needs for extension agents to program in a
selected subject area
2. Identify advanced knowledge and training needs for extension agents wanting to increase in-depth
knowledge and pro-actively engage in program delivery for the subject area
3. Identify effective ways to deliver that knowledge to the extension agents
4. Create a list of training topics that are needed, a lead faculty member for each topic, and a small group
who will assist to see that the training occurs within the desired time frame
B. Design of Program Focus Teams
1. Program Focus Teams are chaired by a an agent, specialist (state or area), an administrative representative
(department head)
2. Department Heads, Area, and Assistant Directors recommend and approve appointments to teams
3. All Program Focus Teams are non-departmentally formed
4. Program Focus Teams report progress to appropriate Assistant Directors
C. Agents' role:
1. Identify an area of program focus and develop expertise in this area, in consultation with their
county/district Board and Area Director
2. Participate as a team member to acquire and deliver knowledge in a specific area of program focus
3. Include program focus activity in professional development plan
4. Provide input into what agent knowledge is needed and method of conveyance
5. Experience more efficient and specific training
6. Become recognized for their chosen area of program focus
7. Attend any desired training outside their chosen area of program focus
8. Change designated area of program focus as deemed necessary by agent, Board, and Area Director
D. Specialists' role:
1. Participate in the process to advance knowledge in a specific area of program focus
2. Serve on various program focus teams as specialist knowledge and training are desired
3. Learn what programs are needed by the agents
4. Provide leadership to conduct efficient/specific training to agents on the program focus team
5. Increase agents ability to conduct subject programming
E. Administrative Advisor's Role
1. Participate as an active member of the Program Focus Team in planning professional development and
program development opportunities
2. Encourage open availability of team offerings to the entire system
3. Communicate ongoing progress of the team with Assistant Directors, Associate Director and other
Administrative unit leaders
4. Manage the Program Focus Team budget
5. Guide Specialists in identifying a team to be on
6. Encourage involvement of entire team in deciding opportunities for professional development
F. Changing Program Focus Teams - Agents
1. In consultation with Area Director and Extension Board, determine the need for a change of Area of
Program Focus
2. Become a member of a new Program Focus Team
3. Area Director will submit agents name and Program Focus Team selection to Field Operations
4. Agents' name will be removed from the previous team and listed on the web as a member of the newly
selected team
G. Selecting a Program Focus team - New Agents
1. Each Agent will select one area of program focus. The determination of that area should be based upon
the following questions:
<
<
<
<
Is this a need in your local unit?
Do you have the support of your Extension Board?
Are you willing to seek out and attend training to strengthen that expertise?
Do you have a passion for the work to be done?
2. In consultation with Area Director and Extension Board, determine the Area of Program Focus in which
new agent will develop expertise. This will take place after New Agent Professional Development:
Program Development session, or during Agent Performance review process, or at a time determined
appropriate by the three parties involved in the process.
3. Become a member of a Program Focus Team.
4. Area Director will submit agents name and program focus selection to Field Operations.
5. Agents' name will be listed on the web as a member of selected team.
H. Selecting a Program Focus team - New Specialists
1. Work with Assistant Director and Department Head to identify program focus team(s)in which new
specialist will advance knowledge. This will take place within the first six months of employment.
2. Become an active member of at least one program focus team.
3. Assistant Director will submit specialists name and program focus selection(s) to Field Operations.
4. Specialists' name will be listed on the web as a member of selected team(s)
I. Developing individual Professional Development Plan
1. Develop goals that will strengthen primary area of program focus as well as strengthen additional core
competencies.
2. Identify professional development opportunities from the K-State Research and Extension Professional
Development catalog and other sources which will help you meet your professional development goals.
Resources supporting the Professional Development system are located http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/Employee_Resources/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=164
March 10, 2009
-2-