Extension County Specialist, 4-H, Livestock & Equine, Larimer County

Colorado State University•Fort Collins, CO

1d•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. This individual works under the guidance and supervision of the Larimer County Extension Director. They also work as a member of the Larimer County Extension team, the Larimer County 4-H team, and as a local representative of Colorado State University. This position provides leadership, guidance, direction and educational programming related to livestock and equine to support the 4-H youth development program in Larimer County. The individual will manage relationships with the state 4-H team, CSU campus faculty, The Ranch (Events Center and Fairgrounds), the livestock/equine industry, and other important partners. The individual will be responsible for evaluating and reporting programmatic impacts. The Larimer County 4-H program is one of the largest traditional club programs in Colorado, to learn more about Larimer County Extension, go to http://Larimer.gov/Extension. The primary office location for this position is in the Larimer County Extension Office in Fort Collins, Colorado. While this position is eligible for hybrid work arrangement, the individual in this position is expected to report for work at the Extension Office a minimum of two days per week to effectively carry out the duties of the position. The work schedule will vary, and frequent evening and weekend work will be necessary. Time can be flexed in order to maintain a 40-hour work week.

Requirements

Completed master’s degree. Conferred degree must be in animal science, agriculture, or a closely related field. Course work and/or professional experience must provide a broad and significant understanding of livestock, equine, and animal science.
2+ years of professional experience relevant to the Essential Job Duties of this 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

Professional experience in youth education and development.
Professional experience in adult volunteer development, leadership, and management experience including volunteer recruitment, selection, orientation, education and training, motivation, evaluation, recognition and support to prepare volunteers to take on increasing leadership, management, and diverse public education/information roles.
Professional experience in the livestock and/or equine industry.
Demonstrated experience and/or certifications in managing conflict, mediating outcomes, and facilitating group discussion/decision making.
Demonstrated experience in evaluating and reporting results of programs.

Responsibilities

Plan, develop, deliver, evaluate, and report on livestock and equine educational programs for 4-H members, volunteers and other audiences.
Work collaboratively with local government and organizational partners, including developing strong working relationships with The Ranch, the Fair Board, County Commissioners, and other key stakeholders.
Provide management of volunteers, including training, guidance, direction, recognition, facilitated decision-making, conflict resolution, mediation, and corrective action as appropriate.
Work collaboratively as part of the Larimer County 4-H team, including attending team meetings, participating in discussions and facilitated decision-making, contributing to event management, managing a team budget and pursuing funding opportunities.
Actively participate in state 4-H work teams, meetings, and collaborative efforts to take advantage of and contribute to opportunities and to understand and meet statewide 4-H programmatic expectations.
Conduct activities related to the preparation and execution of County Fair, including conducting record book checks, contributing to the Fair Book, serving as Extension’s liaison to the Larimer County Fair Board, and coordinating use of facilities at County Fairgrounds and The Ranch Events Center.
Communicate clearly verbally and in writing to colleagues, external stakeholders, volunteers, and 4-H families, including responding in a timely manner.
Assess needs of the 4-H community through meetings with key leaders, other volunteers and youth, as well as conducting surveys, program evaluations, and other assessment methods.