Abstract

Job nature in extension services is associated with works in rural areas, which needs extension workers to show high levels of interest and job satisfaction. A survey of 52 extension workers was conducted in Markazi Province of Iran to explore the relationship between job characteristics and job satisfaction among extension workers using Bray Field and Rothe Job Satisfaction Index. The study found that the majority of the extension workers (65.5%) belonged to the intermediate level of job satisfaction, followed by 29.1 and 5.5% belonging to high and low levels of job satisfaction, respectively. Regression results also explained 30% of the variances in the job satisfaction. Two independent variables that accounted for the explained variances were the job challenge level (22%) and extension workers' ability to serve rural communities (8%). These results may be useful to policy makers both in the public and private sector and directors in general.

Key words: Job satisfaction, job characteristics, extension workers, agricultural extension organization managers, Iran.