4-H Extension Agent

Auburn University • Monroeville, AL

8h • Hybrid

About The Position

Extending knowledge, improving lives! Make an impact in your community and in the lives of Alabamians. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System is seeking qualified applications for a 4-H Extension Agent based out of Monroe County, AL. Applicants must be self-directed and able to thrive in a flexible work environment. We are seeking a servant leader that has a passion for working with youth in Monroe County! As a 4-H Extension Agent, this position provides the opportunity to do something new every day — our 4-H Agents work with animals, outdoors, STEM, gardening, cooking and everything in between. Must be willing to work as part of team and serve a diverse population. We expect all of our employees to uphold the following values: service excellence, team, inclusiveness, accountability and integrity. Extension Agent’s (EA’s), Urban Extension Agent’s (UEA’s), County Extension Directors (CEDs), and Specialists form the core of Extension teams. This EA will participate as a cohesive team member working with local clientele, advisory groups, volunteers, and other interested parties to determine regional needs for program outreach. As a team member, the EA will partner with other EA’s and CEDs to provide educational leadership in planning, implementing, evaluating, and reporting programs conducted in the region.

Requirements

• Level 1: Bachelor’s degree and 0 years of experience.
• Level 2: Bachelor’s degree and 4 years of experience OR Master’s degree and 2 years of experience.
• Level 3: Bachelor’s degree and 8 years of experience OR Master’s degree and 6 years of experience.
• Level 4: Bachelor’s degree and 12 years of experience OR Master’s degree and 10 years of experience.
• Focus of Education: Discipline related to extension programming.
• Focus of Experience: Experience implementing, managing, or delivering educational programs in a relevant discipline, including formal and/or informal teaching methods.
• Must be self-directed and able to thrive in a flexible work environment.
• Must be willing to work as part of team and serve a diverse population.
• Uphold the following values: service excellence, team, inclusiveness, accountability and integrity.

Nice To Haves

• Passion for working with youth in Monroe County.

Responsibilities

• Serving under the supervision of the County Extension Director, the primary role of a 4-H Extension Agent is to provide programmatic leadership and program delivery to build life skills in Alabama youth.
• Develops leadership and engagement skills to grow and sustain the county 4-H program in five areas of excellence: forming a unified county 4-H team and program, utilizing consistent research-based curriculum resources, diversifying delivery modes tailored to today’s youth, promoting plan-of-work development and teamwork at all levels, and aligning staff and position assignments to support program resources and delivery modes.
• Diversifies program delivery by learning new programs, resources, and skills offered by Program Priority Team (PPT), professional organizations, and networks in the key 4-H program subject areas: animals and agriculture, creative arts, environmental education, healthy living, leadership and citizenship, outdoor education, and science and technology.
• Stays current on demographic and socioeconomic change to include diverse voices in program prioritization and planning, and a commitment to developing and delivering inclusive and targeted programming.
• Outdoor work will be required at times. May be asked to work with or in proximity to animals, water, sporting equipment, plants, and wildlife.
• Provides leadership, direction, organization, and implementation of a broad-based county in-school and community 4-H program.
• Provides experiential learning opportunities for youth through teaching and mentoring to improve knowledge, develop leadership skills and abilities, gain independence, and engage in personal growth and development in preparing for a positive role in society.
• Provides leadership to development of an annual county 4-H strategic plan that includes a youth demographic report, determines delivery mode application, and sets goals.
• Provides leadership to develop and implement a county 4-H annual program plan-of-work that ensures youth ages 9 to 18 have access to 4-H programming through a balance of delivery modes and curricula supported by State 4-H Office.
• Provides leadership for county 4-H Youth Council and works cohesively with County Extension Director to provide leadership for the 4-H Adult Advisory Committee.
• Meets regularly with colleagues in region to share needs assessment results, coordinate programs, and establish priorities and new initiatives.
• Provides leadership and/or assists with county, regional, state, and national events as necessary, including required annual assignments to 4-H statewide events and 4-H summer camp.
• Cooperates with and informs County Extension Directors, State Extension Specialists, and appropriate Assistant Director for Programs and Assistant Director for Field Operations on 4-H programs, resources, protocols, and policies and has a positive working relationship with colleagues and clients in region and PPT.
• Serves as the leading program resource member of the County 4-H Team in the assigned county(s) (along with the County Extension Director, Agent Assistant, and Administrative Support staff) with each team member carrying out specific roles and responsibilities.
• Responsible to County 4-H Team for providing expertise and leadership regarding policies, decisions, and directions of county 4-H program in alignment with ACES and Auburn University guidelines and policies.
• Promote and market Alabama 4-H and local, regional, and state programs in accordance with Auburn University and ACES communications and branding guidelines and requirements through all media sources.
• Maintains effective internal and external communication and develops networks and partnerships with volunteers, schools, agencies, and organizations to enhance program delivery and evaluation.
• Assures compliance with civil rights and affirmative action policies related to serving underserved and underrepresented audiences.
• Implements and enforces all Auburn University Risk Management requirements and policies designed to help keep our youth safe.
• Responsible for data collection and input, including 4-H Online, in conjunction with program area requirements. Prepares evaluation summaries and success stories of delivered educational programs focused on short, intermediate, and long-term outcomes and impacts.
• Develops a communication plan to reach 4-H members and their families using all forms of traditional and social media to disseminate information and market programs and has a professional presence in major forms of media.
• In coordination with the County Extension Director, provides leadership and coordination for 4-H volunteer development, including recruitment, orientation, and specialized training in conjunction with Auburn University Risk Management for Youth.
• Appropriately identifies, secures, and manages fiscal resources (contracts, grants, fees, donations, sponsorships) to support local and priority programs and initiatives within county, and may also assist with securing resources for multi-county, state, and national level events.
• Participate in grant funded projects led by State Extension Specialists or State Program Lead as necessary.
• Builds capacity of volunteers and partners in technical areas to strengthen programming through training.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance options
• 4 weeks of vacation accrued each year
• 96 hours of sick leave accrued annually
• 7 paid holidays in addition to 2 weeks of paid leave during Christmas/New Years when the University closes
• 6 weeks of paid parental leave for the birth or adoption of a child (available for BOTH moms & dads)
• AU tuition assistance for you and your dependents after a year of service
• Generous state retirement plan along with other voluntary retirement plan options and benefits

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level