4-HYD Extension Agent or Agent in Training - Boone County Extension Office

West Virginia University • West Virginia, WV

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The WVU Extension Service is seeking a dynamic individual to implement a comprehensive Extension program in 4-H and Youth Development (4-HYD) in Boone County. This county-based faculty position supports Extension activity in the region and carries the academic rank of Service Instructor or Service Assistant Professor, depending on the candidate’s level of education. These are full-time, promotable, non-tenure track appointments. The position is primarily dedicated to serving the community, state, university, and the broader profession through the delivery and interpretation of vital educational information, teaching citizens, and empowering them with knowledge and practical skills. The successful candidate will also support programming in Family and Community Development and Agriculture and Natural Resources/Master Gardeners, with time allocation determined in concert with the Unit Director and fellow faculty based on identified county needs. The position is responsible to the 4-HYD Program Director and serves as the County Program Coordinator (CPC), coordinating efforts to provide citizens with increased access to WVU Extension programs.

Requirements

• For appointment at the Service Assistant Professor rank, a master’s degree is required.
• For appointment at the Service Instructor rank, a bachelor’s degree is required.
• Candidates with a degree in progress may be considered, but the degree must be conferred by hire date.
• Proficiency in oral and written communication.
• Knowledge and use of computer technology for educational programming and management are required.
• Demonstrated leadership and management skill through collaborations and partnerships with agencies and organizations is necessary.
• Ability to meet travel demands of position (overnight stays), such as 4-H youth camps, conferences, professional development sessions and training.
• Willingness to work flexible hours, including nights and weekends.
• Ability to lift and carry materials needed to conduct training and perform duties of the position.

Nice To Haves

• Desirable areas of educational experience include education, youth or child development, Agriculture and Extension education, Organizational Leadership, or closely related field at the graduate or undergraduate level.
• Training and experience in education, youth or child development, Agriculture and Extension education, or Organizational Leadership is highly desired.
• Documented experience in volunteer management, supervision, resource development, and team leadership is desirable.
• Experience working with advisory committees and/or focus groups.
• Experience working with the media and web-based information delivery methods.
• Successful experience in developing financial support for educational programs including grant writing, fundraising, contracting or cost recovery efforts.
• Experience in promoting, marketing or creating public awareness of program/services among key community decision makers.
• Extension or similar work experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conduct educational programs in designated program areas to help people more effectively interpret and use science-based findings.
• Assume responsibility for developing and executing a Plan of Work, which will include 4-HYD programming with the possibility to include Family and Community Development as well as Agriculture and Natural Resources programming appropriate for county needs.
• Involve the Extension Service Committee and community stakeholders in appropriate program advisory committees to analyze the county situation, identify priority problems, and develop and implement programs.
• Use the resources of West Virginia University and the community to effectively implement county programs.
• Identify, recruit, and develop volunteer leadership to assist with the carrying out the program of work in the county.
• Develop and use appropriate systems for reporting program accomplishments.
• Function always as a professional educator.
• Actively participate with Extension work teams to help focus and develop regional and statewide programs in designated program areas.
• Engage in recruitment, retention, and student success activities that promote access, education, training, experiences, and career opportunities for young people that will lead to their future enrollment at WVU or other post-secondary institutions.
• Develop an understanding of the county, the needs of its citizens, and Extension's role in meeting those needs.
• Understand the county situation in terms of social and economic factors.
• Understand the role of County Extension Service in effecting changes in the county situation.
• Continuously examine their role as a change agent.
• Assess the degree to which programs meet the needs of clients, induce positive change, improve performance, or measurably impact priority problems.
• Participate in professional development activities that increase expertise in the discipline.
• Demonstrate the ability to apply current knowledge to address specific priority problems.
• Assess the degree to which new knowledge moves the faculty and learner to decision making and action.
• Follow a sound process in developing educational programs in designated areas of responsibility.
• Develop, market, deliver, facilitate, and evaluate non-credit educational programming in response to locally identified priority needs in 4-H and Youth Development and other Extension program areas as appropriate.
• Establish clear objectives and use appropriate subject matter content and learning experiences to reach these objectives.
• Design and implement a variety of program delivery methods to reach target clientele.
• Take necessary action to ensure that sufficient groundwork is laid for programs to succeed.
• Evaluate results, measure impact, and account to appropriate stakeholders for program accomplishments.
• Use the results of program evaluation to initiate changes in the implementation of the program.
• Understand the philosophy of Extension and utilize effective methodology in program delivery and evaluation.
• Understand and convey the philosophy, objectives, and policies of WVUES.
• Assist in determining and obtaining resources needed to implement the Plan of Work.
• Plan and provide the training needed to equip volunteer leaders to carry out the program.
• Develop and maintain two-way communications with volunteer leaders.
• Establish and maintain rapport with personnel of the mass media and arrange for appropriate releases in the program area.
• Understand and implement the provisions of EEO and ADA.
• Provide 4-H and youth development programming in the assigned county.
• Serve as a subject matter resource person for regional and statewide programming as needed.

Benefits

• Full-time, promotable, non-tenure track appointments
• Salary: $53,000 at the Service Instructor rank and $59,000 at the Service Assistant Professor rank.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree