Personnel - Employment
CESP 1-32: County Extension Agents - Compensation
Date Revised: 10-1-2019
Supersedes: 5-3-2013
Summary: Establishes policies and procedures regarding compensation for County Extension Agents.
All compensation policies must be consistent with state and federal legislation, University policies and procedures, and principles of sound fiscal management.
Affirmative Action Responsibility
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service is committed to providing equal opportunity in employment and in educational programs, activities, and services on a non-discriminatory basis and without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status. Moreover, the institution pledges to detect and eliminate any elements of discrimination which may be found to exist.
Factors Related to Salary Determination
Performance – The primary consideration for salary adjustments is performance. Both the current level of performance and growth in performance are considered. Refer to CESP 1 - 69, Guidelines for Appointment and Promotion of County Extension Agents and Staff Chairs, for additional information on agent performance evaluation procedures.
Educational Level – Entry level salary is determined in part by the degree held. Agents who enter the
system with a Bachelor’s degree are eligible for one salary increase opportunity based
upon completion of a Master’s degree. To receive this one-time salary increase, an
official transcript must be submitted for processing to the District Office.
Rank – Agents will be generally be appointed to a rank of County Extension Agent I at the time of employment and may have up to three in-rank promotional opportunities during their careers.
Experience – Prior job-related experience will be considered when establishing a starting salary.
Salary at Appointment
Entry-Level Agents – Inexperienced agents are hired at an entry salary of $36,000 for a Bachelor's degree and $40,000 for a Master's degree.
Experienced Agents – Salaries for agents entering the organization with job-related experience will be commensurate with education and experience.
Stipends for Staff Chair Assignments
The Staff Chair assignment is designated at the discretion of the District Director and the Senior Associate Vice President for Agriculture - Extension. Staff Chair responsibilities are added to an agent’s program responsibilities.
Under certain circumstances, a posted agent position may include Staff Chair responsibilities. Furthermore, when it is deemed in the best interest of Extension, the Senior Associate Vice President for Agriculture - Extension may fill a vacant Staff Chair position through administrative transfer.
An agent designated as Staff Chair will receive an annual stipend in addition to base salary. The stipend is determined by the category of county operation as follows:
- Category One: Counties with 1-2 agents - $3,000
- Category Two: Counties with 3-4 agents - $5,000
- Category Three: Counties with 5-6 agents - $7,000
- Category Four: Counties with 7-8 or more agents - $9,000
The stipend will be removed if the Staff Chair relinquishes the administrative duties.
If the county changes category, then the stipend may be amended at the discretion of the District Director and Senior Associate Vice President for Agriculture – Extension.
In-Rank Promotion
Refer to CESP 1 - 69, Guidelines for Appointment and Promotion of County Extension Agents and Staff Chairs, for information about agent in-rank promotion opportunities.
Transferring to Another County
An agent who applies for and is selected to fill a position in another county will generally transfer laterally with no increase in salary. The agent may be eligible for moving expense reimbursement. The transfer will not result in a change in rank.
An agent transferring to a position of substantially greater responsibility in another county, to a more competitive marketplace, or to a position that has remained unfilled after an unusually long period of posting may be eligible to receive an adjustment in base salary at the discretion of the District Director and the Senior Associate Vice President for Agriculture – Extension. The agent may be eligible for moving expense reimbursement. The transfer will not result in a change in rank.
An agent who voluntarily requests a transfer to another county for personal or professional reasons will not receive a salary increase or payment of moving expenses. Approval of such a transfer is at the discretion of the District Director and the Senior Associate Vice President for Agriculture – Extension. The transfer will not result in a change in rank.
Moving Expenses
Refer to PMGS 20-03 - Division Moving Expenses Policy, to determine eligibility and procedures.