Extension Area Specialist, Family and Consumer Sciences and 4-H Youth Development, Golden Plains Area

Colorado State University • Akron, CO

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

This is a full-time, twelve (12) month, non-tenure track Extension faculty position. Faculty rank is dependent upon the candidate’s academic credentials and professional experience and is subject to review by the Extension Promotion Committee. The faculty appointment, evaluation, and promotion standards are centered around the three core duties of extension faculty – educate, create, and connect. Candidates are sought with interests that complement and expand upon current initiatives and education activities in OEE and CSU Extension. The Extension Area Specialist develops, markets, and delivers non-credit educational programming in response to community needs. This individual will have the experience and skills to lead a diverse Family and Consumer Science program and Youth Development program in these topic areas. This individual will be responsible for partnering with and working through a variety of county and community partners to assess needs, plan, coordinate, deliver and evaluate programming to meet local needs in human, family, and community development; family financial stability; food safety and preservation; nutrition, health, and wellness as they relate to youth, individuals, families, and communities. 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. 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 County. This individual works under the supervision of the Extension Area Director for the Golden Plains Area. The office location for this position is in Akron, 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 occasional nights and weekend work will be necessary. For full consideration, all materials must be RECEIVED no later than 12:00 AM Mountain Time on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. Please submit the following to apply: CV Cover Letter Special Required Documentation – Statement (no more than 5 pages) of how you meet all applicable “Required” and “Preferred” Job Qualifications. Please respond to each bullet point separately.

Requirements

• Completed bachelor’s degree.
• Conferred degree must be in family and consumer sciences, food science and human nutrition, food safety, public health, financial resource management, human development, youth development, or closely related field.
• 2+ years of professional experience relevant to the Essential Job Duties of "Educate", "Create" and "Connect"
• Course work and/or professional experience must provide a broad and significant understanding of family and consumer science and 4-H youth development associated with the position.
• 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.
• Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires), travel.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree.
• Demonstrated ability to use technology and digital tools to manage and deliver educational programs.
• Demonstrated experience in subject areas such as geriatrics, family financial management, food systems, on-farm food safety, farmers markets, cottage food production, nutrition, and youth development (including 4-H Shooting Sports and volunteer management).
• Demonstrated skill in program development, impact evaluation, conflict resolution, facilitation, and public issues education.
• Ability to secure external funding (grants, contracts, cost-recovery).

Responsibilities

• Develops and delivers non-credit educational programs in Family and Consumer Sciences and 4-H Youth Development in response to locally identified needs, including planning, evaluation, and impact reporting.
• Collaborates with local governments, community partners, and organizations to design and implement educational efforts that address county-level priorities.
• Ensures programming reaches diverse, underserved, and underrepresented audiences while complying with civil rights and affirmative action policies.
• Identifies and manages resources—such as grants, contracts, and cost-recovery funds—to support educational programs, while following CSU and county fiscal guidelines.
• Builds strong working relationships with CSU faculty, Extension staff, local leaders, advisory groups, and public officials to coordinate resources, support decision-making, and address community needs, including travel and participation in professional activities.

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.
• Review our detailed benefits information here.
• Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here.
• For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator.
• Lastly, click here for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in!

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 1-10 employees