Extension State Program Specialist, 4-H Volunteer Development

Colorado State University•Fort Collins, CO

7d•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 and the person in this role divides time accordingly: educate 35%, create 40%, connect 15%, and administration 10%. Candidates are sought with interests that complement and expand upon current initiatives and education activities in OEE and CSU Extension. The State 4-H Volunteer Development Specialist provides leadership for Colorado’s statewide 4-H Youth Development volunteer system by designing, delivering, and evaluating comprehensive training, onboarding, and support for volunteers and professionals. A central focus of this role is guiding effective conflict resolution, risk management, and youth protection practices, ensuring positive, safe, and quality volunteer and program environments statewide. This position also develops and implements strategies to recruit, retain, and recognize volunteers while building partnerships, creating resources, and advancing a strong, supportive volunteer development and management system. There will be periodic activities requiring travel and/or overnight stays. Time can be flexed to maintain a 40-hour work week.

Requirements

Completed master’s degree. The conferred degree must be in volunteer development, youth development, agriculture education, Extension education, K-12 education, or a closely related field.
Coursework and/or professional experience must provide a broad and significant understanding of volunteer development, youth development, educational leadership, Extension education, and/or community development, along with a high degree of subject matter competence in these areas.
5+ years professional experience relevant to the Essential Job Duties of this position.
Experience and/or coursework in conflict management and proficiency in conflict resolution best practices and techniques.
Must have a valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain a driver’s license by the employment start date.
The successful candidate must be legally authorized to work in the United States by the proposed start date; the Office of Engagement and Extension will not sponsor a visa for this position.

Nice To Haves

A Ph.D. in volunteer development, youth development, agriculture education, Extension education, K-12 education, or a closely related field.
Knowledge of and/or experience in Extension 4-H Positive Youth Development and adult learning theory.
Experience or course work in audience-needs identification, program development, experiential learning, and program evaluation.

Responsibilities

Lead and coordinate a comprehensive statewide volunteer development system for the Colorado 4-H Youth Development program, including training, onboarding, and ongoing support for volunteers and professionals.
Provide proactive leadership in conflict resolution, mediation, risk management, and youth protection to ensure safe, and productive program environments.
Design, implement, and evaluate volunteer development strategies using models such as ISOTURE and VRKC to strengthen program quality and impact.
Develop and deliver high-quality educational resources, curricula, and training opportunities (webinars, workshops, and meetings) that meet local and statewide needs.
Build and maintain strong partnerships with county staff, volunteers, CSU faculty, Extension, and external organizations to enhance volunteer engagement and program reach.
Evaluate, document, and report program outcomes and impacts, while identifying and securing resources (grants, funding, partnerships) to support volunteer-led programs.
Oversee administrative functions including budget management, policy development, and compliance with civil rights and affirmative action standards, ensuring effective support and oversight of the statewide 4-H volunteer system.