Visiting Assistant Extension Educator 4-H Youth Development

UConn Careers•New Haven, CT

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Department of Extension, New Haven County, at the University of Connecticut, in collaboration with the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) seeks applicants for a full-time Visiting Assistant Extension Educator, 11-month position. This role focuses on 4-H youth development, specifically in food, agriculture, and natural resources literacy in New Haven County, with potential for state and multi-state programming. The position will also plan, deliver, and evaluate school-based programs to enhance youth STEM knowledge and skills. The Visiting Assistant Extension Educator will report to the Department of Extension Head and be based in North Haven, Connecticut. The successful candidate will expand an active 4-H youth development program, provide leadership for the 4-H community club program, generate resources, manage volunteers, and share responsibility for the annual Middlesex & New Haven 4-H County Fair. Collaboration with CAES will involve planning, delivering, and evaluating school-based STEM programs. The Department of Extension works with partners across Connecticut and beyond, comprising 42 faculty and 33 programs. The University of Connecticut is a Land Grant and Sea Grant institution with a Carnegie Foundation R1 designation, committed to research, teaching, service, and outreach, promoting diversity and an inclusive culture.

Requirements

Master’s degree in nonformal or formal education, including agricultural and extension education; food, agricultural, environmental or health related sciences; youth development; or associated fields.
Experience in educational program coordination and facilitation, that includes planning, organization, delivery, and evaluation.
Knowledge of teaching methods and processes that are appropriate for youth and adult audiences.
Demonstrated experience working cohesively with diverse audiences of youth, adults, and volunteers.
Experience developing partnerships with other professionals and organizations to accomplish team goals.

Nice To Haves

At least three years’ experience working with K-12 youth in the areas of education, food, agriculture, environment, or health.
At least three years’ experience in managing or working with volunteers.
Experience with integrated Extension programs and the land-grant university system.
Demonstrated experience evaluating STEM programming and disseminating related scholarship through appropriate outlets, such as conferences and journals.
Experience publishing peer-reviewed scholarships, Extension reports, or articles in electronic media that communicate program impacts and results.
Experience in grantsmanship, particularly obtaining progressively larger grants and/or leading medium to large multi-disciplinary, multi-functional grant-funded projects.

Responsibilities

Develops, implements, and evaluates active extension programs on cutting-edge 4-H STEM related activities that foster state, regional and national recognition.
Programming will be provided in support of 4-H community clubs, school enrichment, out-of-school programs, 4-H summer camps, 4-H volunteer development, and other areas as needed.
Teaches youth and adult audiences in support of UConn 4-H and CAES.
Works with UConn and CAES faculty, staff, scientists, and other partner organizations, in a multidisciplinary team environment to create and deliver age-appropriate program materials.
Creates partnerships with other agencies and organizations, including schools, and actively seeks out grants and funding sources to support innovative community programs and outreach efforts.
Creates scholarly materials appropriate for extension and CAES publications.
Develops, implements, and evaluates adult and youth volunteer programs including recruitment, training, management, evaluation, and recognition.
Increase program visibility by effectively using available communication resources.
Designs training opportunities and effectively communicate with adult volunteers and teens to help them assume leadership, management, education, and information delivery roles in support of the 4-H program.
Other related duties as assigned.