4-H Program Educator

Universities of Wisconsin • Janesville, WI

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The 4-H Program Educator is part of the Division of Extension’s Positive Youth Development (PYD) Institute, which works to engage Wisconsin youth in opportunities to learn, lead, grow, and thrive. Wisconsin 4-H is a youth-driven, volunteer-supported organization that engages more than 25,000 youth members and 5,000 adult volunteer leaders through clubs and groups across the state and tribal nations.

The educator provides overall leadership and direction for a county-based 4-H club and program. The position’s primary roles are program leadership, volunteer management, and education and youth advocacy. In Rock County, the educator leads the membership program serving approximately 900 youth members and more than 200 adult volunteers, oversees day-to-day operations including volunteer supervision, and cultivates collaborations to expand membership and programming opportunities. The main office is in Janesville, Wisconsin, with Rock County as the primary programming area; some programming may occur over a broader geographic area. The position is performed in person at a designated work location and requires frequent evening and weekend work. Periodic in-state travel is expected, and the employee must have a valid driver’s license and reliable independent transportation or meet UW-Madison vehicle-use authorization requirements.

The educator ensures programs using the 4-H name and emblem align with the PYD Institute’s purpose, vision, and values; builds and supports partnerships; supervises staff and volunteers; and maintains a comprehensive volunteer development and management system. The educator also provides resources and instruction in youth, organization, and volunteer development; connects communities with educational resources from the PYD Institute, UW-Madison Division of Extension, and USDA; and supports youth engagement and leadership in 4-H programs and activities. The allocation of time among these roles depends on the needs of the county-based program.

The position has a preferred bilingual qualification in Spanish. A candidate who passes the language proficiency assessment may receive a bilingual title designation and an annual salary increase of $3,500. The position requires the ability to lift 30 pounds with assistance.

Requirements

• At least three years of experience leading, managing, and/or evaluating youth development programs.
• At least two years of experience managing and/or supervising volunteers and/or staff.
• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to build and maintain professional work environments.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to apply relevant policies, procedures, and regulations, including reporting requirements and risk and data management.
• Ability to work effectively with people from diverse cultural backgrounds and across aspects of human diversity.
• Bachelor’s degree.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable independent transportation for periodic in-state work travel, and/or compliance with UW-Madison vehicle-use authorization requirements.

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated ability to resolve conflicts.
• Ability to work cooperatively with other agencies, community-based services, or organizations to address educational needs.
• Master’s degree in a field relevant to the position’s responsibilities.
• Spanish speaking, writing, and comprehension skills, and knowledge and understanding of Latino culture; language skills will be evaluated.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership to the county 4-H program, expanding membership and ensuring quality membership experiences.
• Ensure programs using the 4-H name and emblem are consistent with the PYD Institute’s purpose, vision, and values, including programs offered by chartered 4-H clubs and groups.
• Cultivate partnerships with other organizations to expand 4-H clubs and participation programming opportunities.
• Supervise staff and volunteers who deliver 4-H Positive Youth Development programming.
• Establish and maintain a comprehensive volunteer development and management system covering identification, selection, orientation and training, utilization, recognition, and evaluation.
• Provide ongoing coaching and support to volunteers delivering 4-H PYD programs.
• Ensure compliance with PYD Institute, Wisconsin 4-H, UW-Madison Division of Extension, and USDA policies and procedures.
• Use varied delivery methods to provide resources and teach youth development, organization development, and volunteer development content.
• Connect participants with educational resources from the PYD Institute, UW-Madison Division of Extension, and USDA.
• Support youth engagement and leadership in 4-H clubs, groups, programs, projects, and activities.
• Facilitate young people’s positive development through 4-H programs, projects, and activities.
• Deliver outreach program content and materials to community members.
• Schedule and secure resources and communicate logistics in support of outreach programming.
• Develop and evaluate curriculum and programs and recommend improvements.
• Identify, promote, and maintain external partnerships supporting outreach programs.
• Research, develop, and facilitate outreach program content and materials.
• Lead implementation of programs, policies, and procedures by overseeing day-to-day activities of program staff, student volunteers, and community volunteers.
• May assist with monitoring outreach program budget spending.

Benefits

• Generous vacation, holidays, and paid time off.
• Competitive insurance and savings accounts.
• Retirement benefits.
• A $3,500 annual salary increase may apply upon successful completion of the language proficiency assessment and bilingual title designation.

What This Job Offers

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