13-26 Extension Area Specialist, 4-H Youth Development, Southeast Area, Prowers County

Colorado State University • Lamar, CO

4d • $53,000 - $90,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

Colorado State University Extension and the Southeast Area are seeking a 4-H Youth Development professional with the experience and skills to lead a diverse and inclusive youth development program. The person will have a proven record of accomplishment of developing and managing volunteers, building program capacity, creating innovative programming opportunities, and fostering both internal and external collaboration and teamwork. Duties include providing leadership, guidance, direction, and assistance in the implementation of the overall 4-H / youth development program. The individual in this position works as a member of the local Extension team and as a local representative of Colorado State University and the Southeast Area. This individual works under the supervision of the Southeast Area Extension Director, with guidance and input from the Southern Region Director and the State 4-H office. The Southeast Area is composed of seven counties in southeastern Colorado: Baca, Bent, Cheyenne, Crowley, Kiowa, Otero, and Prowers. Together, these counties have a population of over 49,000, with Lamar, the county seat of Prowers County, serving as the largest community at 12,122 residents. The region encompasses 6.6 million acres, including 2.76 million acres dedicated to crop production. Primary crops include dryland wheat, sorghum, and sunflowers, along with irrigated corn and alfalfa hay. Much of the remaining acreage supports rangeland and livestock grazing, with crop-livestock integration playing a vital role in the economy. Interest in oilseed crops is also increasing. Southeast Colorado is home to one of the nation’s larger wind energy projects. In addition, Prowers County alone supports four school districts, serving approximately 2,040 students from prekindergarten through 12th grade. The office location for this position is in Lamar, Colorado. While this position is eligible for some hybrid work, the individual in this position is expected to maintain a presence in the office to effectively balance the duties of the position. The work schedule will vary, and nights and weekend work will be necessary.

Requirements

• Completed bachelor’s degree. Conferred degree may be in a variety of disciplines, including business, community development, Extension education, youth development, agricultural sciences, social sciences, family and consumer sciences, public health or related degree that can significantly contribute to administrative and/or program responsibilities.
• 3+ years of professional experience relevant to the Essential Job Duties of this position.
• Course work and/or professional experience must provide a broad and significant understanding of working with people as individuals and in groups; ability to forge equitable and successful partnerships with other professionals and organizations; and demonstrated ability to work effectively as a member of a multi-disciplinary team to affect change or obtain desired outcomes across program areas associated with position.
• Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires), travel.
• Must have a valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain a driver’s license or access to a licensed driver by the employment start date.
• The successful candidate must be legally authorized to work in the United States by the proposed start date; Extension will not sponsor a visa for this position.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree
• Experience with the 4-H program, or other youth development program.
• Experience with managing volunteers or serving as a volunteer.
• Experience in promoting, marketing, or creating public awareness of programs/services among key community decision-makers.
• Demonstrated experience in contracting, grantsmanship, or cost recovery efforts.
• Appreciation and understanding of rural communities and an interest in working with youth in a rural environment to address educational and social issues.
• Bilingual and biliterate in English and Spanish.

Responsibilities

• Educate
• Develop and conduct educational programming in response to local needs.
• Work collaboratively with local government and organizational partners to develop, implement, evaluate and report impacts of non-credit educational programming for adult and youth audiences.
• Present educational programs to 4-H youth and other youth in the community who are not 4-H members.
• Advise and provide leadership to 4-H members, clubs, councils, and ambassadors.
• Advise and provide leadership to 4-H volunteer leaders.
• Ability to communicate through teaching, public speaking/presentation and writing as demonstrated through application materials and experience.
• Create
• Develop and provide programming for diverse audiences and assure compliance with civil rights and affirmative action policies, including reaching out to underserved and underrepresented audiences.
• Engage and collaborate with community-based organizations and diverse constituents (representative of the county’s racial, ethnic and gender demographics) to understand community needs and develop support for existing and new program efforts.
• Employ effective technology in managing and/or delivering educational programs.
• Identify resources (grants, contracts, in-kind contributions, cost recovery fees, etc.) to enhance programs, support programming efforts and practice cost recovery
• Manage program funds in compliance with CSU and county fiscal policies and reporting requirements.
• Connect
• Communicate and coordinate resources, research, and programming with faculty/staff at CSU, county, and other organizations.
• Develop and support strong equitable working relationships with Extension staff, CSU faculty, local/county agencies, community leaders and private industry organizations to address priority needs.
• Develop relationships and work with advisory groups and local leaders; cooperate with Extension Specialists in other counties to assess informal education needs in the area, develop/revise plans of work, implement educational strategies, and measure and report programmatic impacts.
• Maintain a strong working relationship with the Board of County Commissioners, including responding to requests for consultation, research, and other assistance.
• Provide conflict resolution, mediation and/or facilitate public dialogues.
• Engage with public officials in policy decision influence.
• Travel to and participate in meetings, professional development, events and periodic activities requiring travel and/or overnight stays.
• Identify and locate in-school, after-school, and school enrichment opportunities that create collaborative programming needs for youth.

Benefits

• Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service.
• With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.

What This Job Offers

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