Orientation Concept for New Extension Professionals

Unit Leader Orientation
District Director or designee will lead you through the following items:

		Hiring and Retaining Staff
		Hiring competent and capable office support staff
		Retaining/Developing/Training
		Legalities/authority
		County Financial Management
		Demonstrate sound fiscal management
		Tax funds
		Non-tax funds
		Reporting
		Surplus equipment
		Working with Boards
		Extension Board recruitment
		Provide administrative support to the Extension Board
		Seek input and advice from the Extension Board on critical issues and desired outcomes
		Assist in establishing committees, including Program Advisory Committees
		Open Meetings Law
		Conduct of meetings
		Establishing a budget
		Team Building
		Schedule, organize and conduct periodic office meetings.
		Support all programs in the Unit
		Personally develop your office and people management skills (Coaching, 7 Habits Training, NELD, etc.)
		Actively nominate and support faculty and staff for awards
		Working with people in difficult situations
		Support programming across county, district and state lines
		Help your Unit develop, implement and assess impact of programs that address educational needs of the area
		Help faculty and staff identify and grow into a recognizable professional niche
		Public Relations
		Facilitate faculty, staff and board members interface with elected and community leaders
		Project a professional image in dress and personal habits
		Cultivate relationships with Count Commissioners/Supervisors, County Clerk and other elected/appointed officials
		Market
		Find the King Makers
		Office Management
		Supervise program staff (both University and County employees)
		Supervise the day-to-day operations of the office in conjunction with meeting program objectives
		Foster a positive, professional office atmosphere that is clean, comfortable and customer friendly
		Respond to Extension, IANR and UNL inquiries in a timely manner
		Evaluate (or coordinate the evaluation of) office support staff and managerial professionals
		Miscelleneous
		Encourage diversity in hiring, program outreach and "thinking"
		Balancing my time between Unit Leader and programming
		Who to call with questions
		What authority do I have over secretaries, assistants/associates, educators, budgets, hiring, firing, etc.