Working Title: Extension Educator – 4-H Youth Development (multiple openings)

Classification: Assistant Extension Educator (9625ST), Academic Professional(P&A), UMN Benefits available based on percentage of appointment.

Reports To: Program Leader in Youth Development

Salary Range: $51,000-$55,000 This is a salaried, not hourly, position.

Application Deadline: October 4, 2023

Projected Start Date: November 20, 2023 - January 8, 2024

Locations and Appointment (Position works in county area. City notes location of the office.):

Chippewa County (Montevideo) – 100%

Chisago County (North Branch) – 100%

Grant County (Elbow Lake) – 100% Newly Added

Itasca County (Grand Rapids) – 100%

Rock County (Luverne) – 100%

West Otter Tail County (Fergus Falls) – 100%

About the Position

This 4-H Extension Educator position is a community-based academic professional of the University of Minnesota Extension. The position is a link between the land grant University research and Minnesota residents by creating learning opportunities that address local needs.

This position primarily works with adults to lead, manage and steward the full range of 4-H Youth Development programming in the county/tribal community. 4-H Extension educators work collaboratively with youth, families, volunteers, community partners, and University faculty/staff to reach two overarching program goals: 1) Youth will learn by developing a passion in their areas of interest; 2) Youth will lead by being innovators and social change agents. 4-H Educators ensure program quality, growth, retention, and impact while ensuring potential and current participants have full access to programs, services, and facilities.

Job Duties include but are not limited to: 

Program Development, Delivery, and Engagement – 40%

• Engage youth, volunteers, and partners to create a program plan that reflects the demographics of the county/tribal community, addresses local needs and opportunities, aligns with the strategic direction of the MN 4-H Youth Development program and leads to program growth and sustainability.
• Design, develop, and implement high quality, culturally-relevant, impactful programs that support youth in learning and leading.
• Develop/adapt lesson plans and teach/facilitate youth and adults learning using relevant content and instructional best practices (pedagogy/andragogy).
• Plan and manage the delivery of 4-H clubs, camps, after school programs, showcase and fair opportunities, and other events and activities.
• Identify and implement strategies to diversify program participation, ensuring programs and processes are welcoming, accessible, and inclusive of youth, volunteers, and staff with varying backgrounds and experience.
• Develop and support community partnerships that extend program reach and expand program impact.
• Establish and maintain an effective staffing plan including partners, volunteers, interns, and seasonal employees.
• Use established evaluation tools and processes to inform future program design, improve effectiveness, demonstrate value, and market the program.

Volunteer Systems – 35%

• Establish and support a volunteer development system that builds the capacity and long-term sustainability of the 4-H program.
• Identify needs and opportunities for volunteers to serve in management and delivery roles, and recruit and place individuals in these roles.
• Cultivate relationships with and build capacity of volunteers through a support system consisting of effective orientation, training, utilization, recognition, and evaluation.
• Ensure the volunteer screening process is implemented.
• Address problems that arise with volunteer roles.

Program Operations – 15%

• Manage and monitor compliance with organizational policies and procedures, including youth safety, risk management, and financial management.
• Manage established processes for youth enrollment, volunteer enrollment, event participation and reporting, and program agreements.
• Recruit, orient, supervise and support interns and seasonal employees.

Communication and Reporting – 10%

• Develop/adapt and implement a year-round communication plan that attracts youth, families, and volunteers from diverse backgrounds and leads to enrollment and retention.
• Collect data and prepare and deliver reports and presentations to share the public value, impacts, and accomplishments of 4-H Youth Development with local stakeholders.

Appointment/Salary/Benefits

1. The position has an annual University academic professional appointment as Assistant Extension Educator, Job code 9625ST.
2. The appointment is reviewed for renewal annually, with continuation dependent on performance, results, availability of county funds, and program needs. 
3. Internal promotion is available. Meeting the promotion policy criteria to achieve promotion is expected.
4. Salary commensurate with education and experience, estimated starting salary is $51,000 - $55,000 for a 100% time position. This is a salaried, not hourly, position.
5. Reimbursement for travel and subsistence is available in accordance with University policy.
6. University of Minnesota offers a comprehensive benefits package, based on percentage of appointment, vist the Benefits Summaries for Prospective Employees page to learn more https://hr.umn.edu/Jobs/Applicant-Center/About-Working-U/Benefits-Working-U-M.

Required:

• Bachelor's degree at time of hire in fields related to but not limited to education, social sciences, family and consumer sciences, sociology, psychology, and agriculture. Degree must be completed by the start date.
• Experience (paid or unpaid) leading, teaching, and/or managing programs for youth.
• Experience effectively interacting with people from various cultural backgrounds, including race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, socioeconomic status, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, and other aspects of human diversity.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks, timelines, and schedules while maintaining high quality of work and working with minimal supervision.
• Evidenced ability to effectively communicate in English using oral and written communication methods (e.g., publications, presentations, web, and social media).

Additional requirements/Working Conditions:

• Work within an office as well as in various educational settings. 
• Will additionally work some evenings and weekends for events/programming to meet responsibilities of the position.
• Valid driver's license and own means of transportation with required liability insurance. Mileage reimbursement provided. 
• This position often works in the community.  Must be able to travel several times per week and regionally/statewide multiple times per year. 
• When not in the assigned office location, employees must be reachable with a mobile number at the employee's own expense. That number will be published in the Extension staff directory.
• Ability to bend, reach, twist, and lift or carry 10 pounds frequently and 30 pounds occasionally.
• Must be able to stand for 90 minutes at a time and sit for 90 minutes at a time. Some days will require hours of standing or sitting.
• This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship.

Preferred:

• Two (2) or more years of post-Bachelor’s degree experience relevant to youth development, program development, and/or volunteer systems development.   
• Evidenced knowledge of youth development theory and practice (e.g., college coursework, volunteer training)   
• Experience designing, developing, delivering, and/or evaluating high quality, culturally relevant, educational programs. 
• Experience recruiting, guiding, and/or supervising volunteers, including volunteer boards, and/or staff. 
• Demonstrated ability to resolve conflicts. 
• Proficient use of technology for communicating, locating information, and monitoring trends to design, deliver, evaluate, and report programs. 
• Evidenced ability to work cooperatively with community partners or local governments to address educational needs.  
• Experience teaching youth and/or adults in a non-formal setting.
• Experience organizing and managing events and activities.
• Experience planning and applying relevant organizational policies, procedures and regulations (e.g., creating safe environments, financial practices).

About University of Minnesota Twin Cities

The University of Minnesota, founded in the belief that all people are enriched by understanding, is dedicated to the advancement of learning and the search for truth; to the sharing of this knowledge through education for a diverse community; and to the application of this knowledge to benefit the people of the state, the nation, and the world.

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