Youth 4H Extension Specialist I - Southwest Iowa

Iowa State University•Red Oak, IA

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Department of 4-H Youth Development with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is seeking qualified candidates for a Youth 4-H Extension Specialist I. This position will be located within the South Field Team and will primarily serve Southwest Iowa. The Youth 4-H Extension Specialist is a dedicated educator, committed to fostering learning and growth among K-12 youth through innovative and impactful local and regional programs. Through creative teaching methods and hands-on learning experiences, the Youth 4-H Education Extension Specialist ensures that programming is both effective and accessible to youth in Iowa. Focused in the area of Agriculture, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), and/or Leadership, the Youth 4-H Extension Specialist actively delivers programming that strengthens educational opportunities for youth and their communities. They will deliver programs that enhance the quality and impact of local and regional 4-H experiences with a focus on longer-term experiences and showcase opportunities. This individual will assist county youth staff and other Iowa 4-H specialists in establishing, organizing, and facilitating networks and coalitions at the local and regional levels to build community capacity for 4-H youth development programs. This role also conducts needs assessments, evaluates program effectiveness, and completes system reports as required. Additionally, this role involves training staff and volunteers (youth and adults) to build program capacity and deliver youth programming. With a passion for teaching and a commitment to empowering youth, the Youth 4-H Extension Specialist serves as a catalyst for educational growth, equipping the next generation with the skills and knowledge needed to be beyond ready for life and work.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree
Valid U.S. Driver's License
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship.
Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.

Nice To Haves

Experience with implementing, delivering, and evaluating innovative youth development programming; preferably with 4-H Youth Development Programs.
Experience developing and managing strategic partnerships.
Experience training staff and/or volunteers.
Experience in fundraising or fund development initiatives.

Responsibilities

Deliver core Agriculture, STEM, and/or Leadership programs within the region and pilot new and innovative programmatic approaches to promote and enhance local and regional learning experiences for young people.
Assist with partnership, curriculum, and resource development efforts that expand educational opportunities and reach new audiences.
Share resources with county youth staff to plan and implement local Agriculture, STEM, and/or Leadership programs.
Deliver workshops and training sessions on topics related to 4-H focus areas for youth educators.
Communicate educational opportunities and resulting impacts to stakeholders.
Serve on the statewide 4-H Agriculture, STEM, or Leadership focus team and support the delivery of club, camp, and showcase experiences.
Engage in continuous improvement through intentional, targeted professional development.