County Extension Agent - 4-H/Family & Consumer Science

University of Arkansas System•Danville, IN

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The County Extension Agent – 4‑H/Family & Consumer Science leads hands‑on, research‑based youth programs, partnering with county schools, volunteers, and specialists while recruiting and training volunteer leaders to support 4‑H clubs and educational activities for youth. This role involves maintaining a thorough knowledge of the county's social, economic, and political characteristics and serving as an effective liaison with local community leaders, agencies, and governments. The agent will also maintain an up-to-date understanding of Arkansas Extension programs. Collaboration with the County Extension Council or advisory committee and leadership of the 4-H Subcommittee are key to identifying client educational needs. The agent will partner with the county activity committee to plan and implement events, and develop educational materials for workshops and trainings. Promotion of the 4-H program through community activities, news articles, and outreach methods is essential, including developing marketing tools and keeping members and volunteers informed via newsletters, emails, and social media. The position requires recruiting and advising adult leaders and volunteers, conducting leader trainings, and assisting leaders with club organization and maintenance. Engaging youth in project work and life skill development through hands-on activities, and preparing them for demonstrations, speeches, camps, competitions, and leadership roles at various levels is a core responsibility. The agent will provide training and guidance for 4-H clubs and judging teams, including competition preparation, and offer ongoing mentoring to strengthen leadership and communication skills. Supervision and support for youth during 4-H programs and events are expected, including participation in district and state events that involve travel and overnight stays. The role also involves employing effective evaluation techniques to measure program impact, compiling and communicating program results annually, and leveraging Extension specialists and research-based information to design, implement, and teach educational programs. Responding to clientele inquiries through various communication channels with tailored recommendations is also part of the duties. Ensuring compliance with civil rights requirements, maintaining knowledge of applicable rules and regulations, and ensuring program accessibility are critical. The agent must maintain a working knowledge of researched-based youth education practices and programs through continuous learning and professional development. Support for county agriculture or family and consumer science programs, including educational programming, demonstrations, and fundraising, is expected. The position requires adherence to University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture policies and procedures and performing additional responsibilities as assigned.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in family & consumer science, agriculture, education, youth development, or related field of study; degree must be conferred by date of hire or Bachelor’s degree with relevant work experience.
Must have reliable transportation for use on the job with liability insurance in effect.
Must successfully complete the standard background check which includes the Arkansas Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry Check.
Knowledge of agricultural or family & consumer science subject matter appropriate to the county.
Ability to plan and conduct programs and work with all clientele regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual preference, pregnancy or any other legally protected status.
Ability to speak and write clearly and communicate ideas effectively.
Ability to work long and irregular hours and travel frequently.
Proof of legal authority to work in the United States on the first day of employment.

Responsibilities

Maintains a thorough knowledge of the social, economic, and political characteristics of the county and will be an effective liaison with local community leaders, agencies and governments.
Maintains an up-to-date and working knowledge of Arkansas Extension programs.
Collaborates with the County Extension Council or advisory committee and provides leadership to the 4-H Subcommittee in identifying the educational needs of clients.
Partners with the county activity committee to plan and implement events.
Develop educational materials to support workshops and trainings.
Promotes the 4-H program through community activities, news articles, and other outreach methods.
Develop marketing tools to support county-based programs.
Keeps members and volunteers informed of upcoming activities and opportunities through newsletters, emails, and social media.
Recruits and advises adult leaders and volunteers.
Conducts leader trainings and assists leaders with club organization and maintenance.
Engages youth in project work and life skill development through hands-on activities.
Prepares and supports youth for demonstrations, speeches, camps, competitions, and leadership roles at the county, district, state levels and potentially nationally.
Provides training and guidance for 4-H clubs, and judging teams, including competition preparation.
Offers ongoing mentoring to strengthen leadership and communication skills of youth and volunteers.
Provides supervision and support for youth during 4-H programs and events, with the expectation of participating in district and state Oramas that will involve travel and overnight stays.
Employs effective evaluation techniques to measure the impact of county 4-H programs.
Compiles and communicates program results to the county advisory committee, Extension Council, stakeholders and local government officials on an annual basis.
Leverages Extension specialists and research-based information to design, implement and teach educational programs in all 4-H program areas.
Responds to clientele inquiries through phone consultations, e-mails, in-person office and site visits, providing tailored researched based recommendations as required.
Ensures compliance with civil rights requirements and maintains current knowledge of applicable rules and regulations.
Ensures all programs are accessible to the public and maintains accurate records to demonstrate compliance.
Maintains a working knowledge of researched based youth education practices and programs by attending in-service trainings offered through Arkansas Extension, professional development associations and other opportunities deemed appropriate by their supervisor and/or district director.
Supports the county agriculture or family and consumer science programs and related activities, including educational programming, demonstrations and fundraising efforts.
Contributes to program delivery at the county, district, and state levels.
Demonstrates knowledge of and adherence to University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture policies and procedures, ensuring alignment with institutional standards in all professional activities.
Performs additional responsibilities as assigned by the immediate supervisor or district director.