Assistant Director, Program Development & Evaluation

Job Title

Assistant Director, Program Development & Evaluation

Agency

Prairie View A&M University

Department

College Of Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

Prairie View, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

The Assistant Director for Program Development provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the planning, design, implementation, and evaluation of Extension and Research programs within the College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources (CAFNR). This position plays a pivotal role in aligning programmatic initiatives with Prairie View A&M University’s 1890 land-grant mission, ensuring that community-based outreach, applied research, and educational efforts effectively address the needs of individuals, families, and communities across Texas.

This position is funded by a grant or restricted funds. Continued employment is contingent on the renewal of grant or restricted funding.

The salary is determined in accordance with the University’s compensation structure and will be commensurate with the candidates’ education and experience, within the assigned salary range for this position.

 

Responsibilities:

Program Leadership & Strategy

• Provide strategic direction for the development, implementation, and evaluation of Extension and Research programs that advance the College’s strategic goals and support the federal Plan of Work (POW) priorities.

• Collaborate with unit heads, specialists, researchers, and county agents to identify emerging issues, assess community needs, and design responsive programmatic initiatives.

• Integrate research outcomes into Extension programming to ensure evidence-based delivery and measurable community impact.

• Champion interdisciplinary and cross-functional initiatives that connect teaching, research, and Extension efforts.

• Supervise staff supporting strategic planning and program alignment functions.

Program Design & Development

• Guide the design, improvement, and innovation of programs to ensure relevance, quality, and alignment with state, federal, and institutional mandates.

• Lead the development and implementation of departmental training and professional development initiatives to enhance program quality, customer service, and organizational impact.

• Provide oversight and leadership in grant proposal development, budget planning, and project timelines to ensure sustainable program growth.

• Ensure programs incorporate best practices and meet reporting requirements for USDA-NIFA, state, and other funding agencies.

• Coordinate pilot projects, evaluation frameworks, and continuous improvement processes to enhance program outcomes.

• Supervise program specialist(s) responsible for program design, coordination, and implementation support.

Collaboration & Partnerships

• Foster collaboration among internal stakeholders—faculty, specialists, researchers, administrators—and with external partners such as community organizations, state agencies, and private sector entities.

• Strengthen partnerships that enhance outreach capacity, leverage resources, and expand the statewide and regional impact of Extension and Research initiatives.

• Represent the College and University on state and national committees, task forces, and professional associations to advance the visibility and reputation of CAFNR programs.

Training & Capacity Building

• Provide professional development, technical guidance, and coaching to program staff and county agents on program development, evaluation, and impact measurement.

• Support faculty and staff in integrating research-based approaches and community engagement principles into their work.

• Mentor staff in developing logic models, impact statements, and outcome-based reporting systems aligned with federal and state standards.

• Collaborate closely with the Staff Development team to identify training needs and deliver high-quality professional learning experiences.

• Supervise training and capacity-building staff focused on curriculum design, facilitation, and staff competency development.

Accountability & Reporting

• Oversee the accountability, reporting, and data collection structure in collaboration with the program and compliance units to ensure accuracy and consistency.

• Lead efforts to collect, analyze, and report program data for institutional, state, and federal accountability systems.

• Prepare impact reports, success stories, and performance summaries to highlight Extension and Research achievements.

• Ensure all programs comply with relevant university, state, and federal policies, procedures, and funding requirements.

• Supervise data or reporting staff supporting impact documentation and evaluation.

Other Duties

• Participate in New Employee Orientation, leadership development, and technical workshops as part of the College’s continuous learning initiatives.

• Collaborate with other agency and Texas A&M University System professional development personnel to accomplish shared goals and strengthen system-wide partnerships.

• Conduct regular county office visits to provide on-site program development guidance, assess implementation needs, and foster continuous improvement.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

 Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree.

• Six years of related experience.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office: word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and presentation applications (PowerPoint)

• Ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others.

• Strong interpersonal and communications skills utilized to provide exceptional customer service.

• Excellent organizational and planning skills.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proficiency in data collection, analysis, and reporting systems used for accountability and impact documentation.

• Demonstrated success in strategic planning, program design, and evaluation within a land-grant or research-focused institution.

• Experience supervising multi-level teams and leading cross-functional collaborations that integrate research, teaching, and outreach.

• Skilled in conflict resolution and change management, with the ability to navigate differing perspectives, facilitate productive dialogue, and reach solutions that advance organizational goals.

• Proven ability to lead and develop high-performing teams in dynamic and complex environments.

Other Requirements:

• Ability to travel between 25-50% within the state to engage with county offices, stakeholders, and partners.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.