Posted: 11-Oct-25
Type: Full-time
Internal Number: R121889
Assistant Director, 4-H Youth Development, Associate or Full Professor Department of Extension
College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences
The Ohio State University
Position Overview
- Distribution of Effort: 100% Administration
- Position Track: Tenure
The Ohio State University seeks applicants for the position of Assistant Extension Director and State Program Leader for 4-H Youth Development. This is a full-time, twelve-month faculty-based administrative position in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences. The successful candidate will be expected to provide overall direction and administrative leadership to our premier statewide youth development program that currently reaches approximately 180,000 youth across the state of Ohio. The position is based in Columbus, Ohio on The Ohio State University Campus. The position reports to the Associate Dean and Director of OSU Extension and serves as a member of OSU Extensions Administrative Cabinet.
Position Location
Statewide and Columbus, Ohio based
Position Description
The Assistant Director, 4-H Youth Development program will lead the 4-H programs offered in all of Ohio's 88 counties and are administered through the local county Extension office. Guidance and support to local programs is provided by a state-level office located in the Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center. In general, youth five through eighteen years of age may participate in programs offered by Ohio 4-H. The Assistant Director is expected to set the strategic direction of Ohio 4-H and work to develop buy-in among Ohio 4-H faculty, staff and stakeholders. Once the strategic direction is established, the Assistant Director will develop a process to establish goals and expectations for Ohio 4-H. To accomplish these goals and reach these expectations, the Assistant Director will be expected to establish productive and healthy relationships with internal and external partners of Ohio 4-H, including but not limited to: other Extension program areas, CFAES administration and central support units, CFAES academic units, units throughout the university with ties to 4-H and youth development, university compliance units, county commissioners, fair organizations/boards, and local organizations across OSU Extensions Statewide Campus. The Assistant Director will also be expected to develop and maintain a state-level unit with a keen focus on supporting local/county 4-H programming.
The incumbent will ensure 4-H programs are based on evidence-informed practices of the field of youth development. Evidence-informed practice involves the application of knowledge derived from relevant research in a manner that respects and values the perspectives of community members. The overall goal of 4-H is to ensure young people experience a thriving trajectory leading to a productive and contributing adulthood. To accomplish that goal, 4-H professionals and volunteers design experiences for youth that help them learn and grow. Extending the knowledge base of the state's land grant university to the state's youngest citizens is also a responsibility of Ohio State University's 4-H program. Young people gain access to this knowledge through experiential learning opportunities allowing them to discover new fields of study that can produce the 'spark' for learning, postsecondary education, or a pathway to a career. Because Ohio 4-H is a part of the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, there is a strong interest in Ohio 4-H increasing its efforts in the area of workforce development, and helping young people find their way into careers related to agriculture, food systems, natural resources, and health. The successful candidate will also be responsible for establishing an organizational culture welcoming and protecting all young people. This involves communicating and enforcing the University's statement of nondiscrimination while simultaneously implementing practices and procedures ensuring those young people are adequately protected from harm while in the University's custody and control.
Performance Objectives
Ensure Ohio 4-H is an active participant in national 4-H efforts to support and advance the 4-H movement. Engage with representatives of state and local government, as well as other public and private partners, to ensure feedback is considered in the design and implementation of 4-H programs across the state of Ohio. Develop and maintain an advisory leadership system that identifies the needs and issues of Ohio youth. Oversee the system of state design teams that provide oversight, coordination, and direction for the various areas of programming offered by Ohio 4-H. Develop positive working relationships with administrators, faculty, and staff of the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences as well as other colleges and units across the OSU campuses. Work collaboratively with university faculty and staff, and/or OSU extension, government agencies, non-government organizations, and/or community groups to advance the land grant mission of the college and university.
Education and Experience Requirements
Required:
- Masters degree in youth development, human development, public administration, agricultural and/or Extension education, education, or a related field; Ph.D. preferred.
- Experience working in a youth development organization and experience leading and managing teams.
- Leadership experience in a large, decentralized organization or system.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills and a willingness and ability to work closely with diverse groups of academic (e.g., students, staff, faculty) and practitioner audiences.
- Qualifies for the rank of Associate Professor or Professor with tenure in the Department of Extension
Desired:
- Experience or deep knowledge of the land grant university system.
- Understanding or experience within food, agriculture, or natural resources systems.
- A record of documented experience in producing research related to youth development, education, or a closely related field.
How to Apply
To be considered, please submit your application electronically via https://osu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/OSUCareers Requisition R121889. Application materials must include:
Required:
Cover letter
- Describe your qualifications, areas of expertise, career goals.,
- Alignment with these desired qualifications and preferred qualifications where applicable
Curriculum Vita (CV) Statement of Leadership/Administration outlining:
- Your philosophy of leadership
- Your experiences relative to leadership and administration
- Your approaches and experiences in leading diverse groups of people (max two pages)
Statement of Extension outlining:
- Your philosophy regarding Extension
- Your approaches and experiences in working with diverse audiences
- How Extension can be leveraged toward impact (max two pages)
Names and contact information of three references
Initial consideration will be given to applications received by November November 11, 2025. Review of applications will continue until the position has been filled. We welcome informal inquiries, which can be made by contacting Search Committee Chair, Jason Hedrick, at 419-523-6294.
The College and Ohio State University Extension
The College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) anchors its mission in a simple, yet powerful phrase: We Sustain Life. Faculty, staff and students alike contribute to this mission in a variety of ways. Our Strategic Alignment outlines the colleges values: Land-Grant Scholarship; Lifespan Learning; Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; Integrity and Accountability; and Permeable Borders. These values, which align with the universitys Shared Values, shape our goals of our Strategic Alignment. We are committed to scholarship across three mission areas (teaching, research, Extension) with a commitment to serving our state in addition to the country and world. As a land grant, we are part of a cooperative structure that includes key partners all dedicated to integrating research, education, and Extension to improve the food and agricultural sectors, the environment, and the quality of peoples lives. We educate not just undergraduate and graduate students but learners across the lifespan. We work to ensure groundbreaking scientific discoveries are brought out of the laboratory and into the hands of those who can put them to work.
CFAES houses 11 departments/schools with over 20 undergraduate majors and 9 graduate programs, including 3 interdisciplinary programs affiliated with multiple Ohio State colleges. We also administer OSU Extension, which provides robust and relevant programming to Ohioans and beyond in the areas of Agriculture and Natural Resources, 4-H Youth Development, Family and Consumer Sciences, and Community Development. We are one college spanning three campuses: Columbus, CFAES Wooster, and Statewide. Our CFAES Wooster campus includes a large research station and Ohio States only two-year academic unit, Ohio State ATI. The Statewide campus includes 11 research stations and Extension offices in all of Ohios 88 counties. Our At a Glance provides additional information regarding our size, capacity, and impact as a college.
The University
Ohio State is a top-20 public university, and its Ohio State Wexner Medical Center is one of Americas leading academic health centers. Eligible Ohio State employees receive comprehensive benefits packages, including medical, dental and vision insurance, tuition assistance for employees and their dependents, and state or alternative retirement options with competitive employer contributions.
Grounded in Ohio State UniversitysShared Values, our university community welcomes differences, encourages open-minded exploration and courageous thinking, and upholds freedom of expression.
Ohio State is a dynamic community where opportunity thrives, and individuals transform themselves and their world. Positions are available in countless fields and specialties. Become a Buckeye and contribute to an incredible legacy that serves to guide our future and shape a better tomorrow.
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Located in Ohios capital city, Ohio States Columbus campus is near the center of a rapidly growing and diverse metropolitan area with a population of over 1.5 million. The area offers a wide range of affordable housing, many cultural and recreational opportunities, excellent schools, and a strong economy based on government as well as service, transportation, and technology industries. Additional information about the Columbus area is available here. In addition to its Columbus campus, Ohio State has four regional campuses including Ohio State Lima, Ohio State Mansfield, Ohio State Marion, and Ohio State Newark, in addition to CFAES Wooster Campus, which houses Ohio State ATI.
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