Extension County Specialist, 4-H Youth Development, Douglas County

Colorado State University•Castle Rock, 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. The Douglas County 4-H program is one of the largest traditional club programs in Colorado, with over 530 current youth members and approximately 220 adult volunteers. Increasing youth life and leadership skills through the 4-H program is the primary community aim associated with this position. In addition to this position, members of the 4-H team include a 4-H Youth Animal Science & Equine Specialist, three extension Program Coordinators, and a Horticulture/Natural Resources Specialist. Existing programs within Douglas County 4-H include numerous 4-H Livestock, Equine, General, and Family & Consumer projects as well as out-of-school programming. The Extension staff in Douglas County consists of 7 staff members. This individual works under the guidance and supervision of the Douglas County Extension Director. They also work as a member of the Douglas County Extension team, the Douglas County 4-H team, and as a local representative of Colorado State University. This position provides leadership, guidance, direction and educational programming related to general projects (Communication Arts a& Leisure Sciences, Family and Consumer Sciences, Natural Resources, and Mechanical Sciences) to support the 4-H youth development program in Douglas County. The primary office location for this position is the Douglas County Extension Office in Castle Rock, 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 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 to maintain a 40-hour work week. The Douglas County Extension Office is open to the public Monday through Thursday, 8 am to 5 pm. Fridays are a flexible day to balance life, and work demands or work from home, as appropriate. Regular travel within the County and infrequent travel outside of the county is required.

Requirements

Completed master’s degree. Conferred degree must be in education, family and consumer sciences, agriculture, or a closely related field.
Course work and/or professional experience must provide a broad and significant understanding of youth development.
2+ years of professional experience relevant to the Essential Job Duties of this 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.

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 public education/information roles.
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 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 Douglas County Fair Board and staff, 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 Douglas 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 Douglas County Fair Board, and coordinating use of facilities at County.
Communicate clearly verbally and in writing to colleagues, external stakeholders, volunteers, and 4-H families, including responding in a timely manner.
Assess the 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.