Associate Extension Agent, 4-H Youth Development - Fairfax County

Virginia Tech • Fairfax, VA

1d • $50,000 - $65,000

About The Position

The Associate Extension Agent, 4-H Youth Development, provides professional leadership for the Fairfax County 4-H program and manages its day-to-day operations. The role partners with local agencies and volunteers to deliver research-based, nonformal, hands-on educational experiences that help young people develop leadership, citizenship, and life skills and realize their full potential as contributing citizens. Programs serve broad youth audiences in areas such as science, leadership, and citizenship through community and project clubs, school enrichment, after-school programs, special-interest programming, and day and overnight camps.

The agent recruits, trains, supports, and manages volunteers; assesses community needs and trends; and builds partnerships to address youth and family issues and program needs. Extension agents are expected to broaden program participation and are responsible for complying with Virginia Cooperative Extension civil-rights and equal-opportunity policies. The position requires travel for in-person leadership and community partnerships, with few exceptions for telework. The position is exempt and not eligible for overtime.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree (BA or BS) in a relevant discipline from an accredited college or university.
• Knowledge and experience in planning, conducting, and evaluating Extension or nonformal education programs.
• Understanding of and ability to conduct community needs assessments to determine program priorities.
• Knowledge of child and human development.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Basic knowledge of educational technologies and their appropriate use in developing and delivering educational programs.
• Program marketing skills.
• Knowledge of and willingness to involve and manage volunteers in program development and delivery.
• Flexibility, adaptability, and a team-oriented mindset, with the ability to work independently and a strong desire to help clients succeed.
• A master’s degree and promotion to Extension Agent are required no later than the sixth year of employment.
• Valid driver’s license with an acceptable and safe driving record, subject to a driver’s license check.
• Successful criminal conviction check.
• Applicants must be eligible to work without employer-sponsored work visas; Virginia Tech is unable to sponsor applicants for work visas for this vacancy.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver objective, research-based educational programs for broad audiences, setting program goals and objectives and identifying needed resources.
• Provide leadership for 4-H Youth Development programs that meet the needs of all youth.
• Identify, recruit, train, support, and manage volunteers who implement 4-H educational programming in the unit.
• Determine unit program needs by monitoring trends and issues and conducting needs assessments with the Extension Leadership Council and other leadership committees.
• Network and build coalitions with agencies, organizations, and institutions to address youth and family issues and 4-H program needs.
• Coordinate day-to-day activities and events for the unit 4-H program, including community and project clubs, school enrichment, after-school and special-interest programming, and camping.
• Work to increase participation in Extension programs among all people and comply with civil-rights and equal-opportunity policies.
• Travel to provide in-person leadership and build community partnerships.

What This Job Offers

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