Extension Educator - 4-H Youth Development (multiple openings)

Working Title: Extension Educator - 4-H Youth Development

Classification: Assistant Extension Educator (9625ST) or Associate Extension

Educator (9625SC) Academic Professional (P&A)

Reports To: Program Leader in Youth Development

Salary Range: $59-$68,000 (9625ST); $68-75,000 (9625SC); this is a salaried, not hourly, position

Anticipated Start Date: February 24, 2025-March 24, 2025

Application Deadline: January 14, 2025

Locations and Appointment (Positions work in the county area. City notes the location of the office.):

Beltrami (Bemidji) - 100%

Nobles County (Worthington) - 100%

Pennington County (Thief River Falls) - 100%

Wadena (Wadena) - 100%

About the Position

The 4-H Extension Educator positions are a community-based academic professional of the University of Minnesota Extension. These positions are a link between the University of Minnesota research and Minnesota residents by creating learning opportunities that address local needs.

These positions primarily work with adults to lead, manage and steward the full range of 4-H Youth Development programming in the county/tribal community. 4-H Extension educators work collaboratively with youth, families, volunteers, community partners, and University faculty/staff to reach two overarching program goals: 1) Youth will learn by developing a passion in their areas of interest; 2) Youth will lead by being innovators and social change agents. 4-H Extension educators lead program quality, growth, retention, and impact while ensuring potential and current participants have full access to programs, services, and facilities.

Job Duties include but are not limited to and change as determined by the supervisor:

Program Development, Delivery, and Engagement - 40%

• Engage youth, volunteers, and partners to create a program plan that reflects the demographics of the county/tribal community, addresses local needs and opportunities, aligns with the strategic direction of the MN 4-H Youth Development program and leads to program growth and sustainability.
• Design, develop, and implement high quality, culturally-relevant, impactful programs that support youth in learning and leading.
• Develop/adapt lesson plans and teach/facilitate youth and adult learning using relevant content and instructional best practices (pedagogy/andragogy).
• Plan and manage the delivery of 4-H clubs, camps, after school programs, showcase and fair opportunities, and other events and activities.
• Identify and implement strategies to diversify program participation, ensuring programs and processes are welcoming, accessible, and inclusive of youth, volunteers, and staff with varying backgrounds and experience.
• Develop and support community partnerships that extend program reach and expand program impact.
• Establish and maintain an effective staffing plan including partners, volunteers, interns, and short-term employees.
• Use established evaluation tools and processes to inform future program design, improve effectiveness, demonstrate value, and market the program.
• Other related duties as assigned

Volunteer Systems - 35%

• Establish and support a volunteer development system that builds the capacity and long-term sustainability of the 4-H program.
• Identify needs and opportunities for volunteers to serve in management and delivery roles, and recruit and place individuals in these roles.
• Cultivate relationships with and build capacity of volunteers through a support system consisting of effective orientation, training, utilization, recognition, and evaluation.
• Ensure the volunteer screening process is implemented.
• Address problems that arise with volunteer roles.

Program Operations - 15%

• Manage and monitor compliance with organizational policies and procedures, including youth safety, risk management, and financial management.
• Manage established processes for youth enrollment, volunteer enrollment, event participation and reporting, and program agreements.
• Recruit, orient, supervise, and support interns and short-term employees.

Communication and Reporting - 10%

• Develop/adapt and implement a year-round communication plan that attracts youth, families, and volunteers from diverse backgrounds and leads to enrollment and retention.
• Collect data and prepare and deliver reports and presentations to share the public value, impacts, and accomplishments of 4-H Youth Development with local stakeholders.

Appointment Information

1. These positions have an annual University academic professional appointment as Assistant Extension Educator, Job code 9625ST or Associate Extension Educator, Job code 9625SC.
2. The appointment is reviewed for renewal annually, with continuation dependent on performance, results, availability of county funds, and program needs.
3. Internal promotion is available. Meeting the promotion policy criteria to achieve promotion is expected.
4. This is a salaried, not hourly, position. The Assistant Extension Educator (9625ST) classification is generally for early to mid-career candidates and is the classification that almost all of our Extension Educators are hired. Individuals with many years of directly related post- degree experience may be eligible for the Associate Extension Educator classification; current Associate Extension Educators could be appointed at this rank as a lateral transfer.

Required:

• Bachelor's degree at time of hire in fields related to but not limited to education, social sciences, family and consumer sciences, sociology, psychology, and agriculture. Degree must be completed by the start date.
• Experience (paid or unpaid) leading, teaching, and/or managing programs for youth.
• Experience effectively interacting with people from various cultural backgrounds, including race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, socioeconomic status, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, and other aspects of human diversity.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks, timelines, and schedules while maintaining high quality of work and working with minimal supervision.
• Evidenced ability to effectively communicate in English using oral and written communication methods (e.g., business correspondence, publications, presentations, web, and social media).

Additional requirements/Working Conditions:

• Work within an office as well as in various educational settings, including outdoors (e.g., camps, fairs).
• Will additionally work evenings, overnights, and weekends for events/programming to meet responsibilities of the position.
• Valid driver's license and own means of transportation with required liability insurance. Mileage reimbursement provided.
• This position often works in the community. Must be able to travel several times per week and regionally/statewide multiple times per year. Reimbursement for travel and subsistence is available in accordance with University policy.
• When not in the assigned office location, employees must be reachable with a mobile number at the employee's own expense. That number will be published in the Extension staff directory.
• Ability to bend, reach, twist, and lift or carry 10 pounds frequently and 30 pounds occasionally.
• Must be able to stand for 90 minutes at a time and sit for 90 minutes at a time. Some days will require hours of standing or sitting.
• This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship.

Preferred:

• Two (2) or more years of post-bachelor's degree experience relevant to youth development, program development, and/or volunteer systems development.
• Evidenced knowledge of youth development theory and practice (e.g., college coursework, volunteer training)
• Experience designing, developing, delivering, and/or evaluating high-quality, culturally relevant, educational programs.
• Experience recruiting, guiding, and/or supervising volunteers, including volunteer boards, and/or staff.
• Demonstrated ability to resolve conflicts.
• Proficient use of technology for communicating, locating information, and monitoring trends to design, deliver, evaluate, and report programs.
• Evidenced ability to work cooperatively with community partners or local governments to address educational needs.
• Experience teaching youth and/or adults in a non-formal setting.
• Experience organizing and managing events and activities.
• Experience planning and applying relevant organizational policies, procedures and regulations (e.g., creating safe environments, financial practices).

About Extension and 4-H

University of Minnesota Extension is a major outreach arm of the University of Minnesota with a mission to serve the public through applied research and education. Our mission is to make a difference by connecting community needs and University resources to address critical issues in Minnesota. Extension strives to attract and retain high-quality, passionate employees, and weave diversity, equity and inclusion into all aspects of Extension's programming and employee engagement https://extension.umn.edu/.

University of Minnesota Extension Department of Youth Development works in partnership with communities to build engaged young people who are ready to learn and lead in a global society. Using youth development methods and principles that are based on experiential learning and proven to result in positive youth development; we foster sustainability and resilience by building community-wide knowledge, capacity, and networks that support the healthy development of youth. Our audiences include: youth grades K-13 living in urban, suburban, rural, tribal, and online communities; volunteers, youth workers, and partners who deliver positive youth development programming; and, agencies, organizations, and groups that affect the lives of youth. To learn more about our programs, please visit https://extension.umn.edu/4-H.

Pay Range: $59,000-$68,000 if classified at the 9625ST Assistant Educator rank; and $68,000-75,000 if classified at the 9625SC Associate Educator rank. The salary and rank determination will be made at the time of offer and is dependant on education, qualifications, and experience.

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

(Please note: this position is not eligible for H-1B or Green Card sponsorship.)

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click on the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position. Please include the following required attachments with your online application:

• Cover letter- include your county location(s) preference. Limited to three locations.
• Resume - include all relevant experience (paid or volunteer) to the job responsibilities
• Diversity Statement - In 500 words or less, highlight your unique strengths, experiences, perspectives and values as they relate to equity, diversity and inclusion. Your statement could include the following:
  1. Personalized views and experiences
  2. Topics through the lens of your own knowledge or experience
  3. If you do not have personal experience on a topic, reflect on why
  4. Demonstrated learning and growth

Three (3) professional references (list references name, work relationship, phone number, and email) and transcripts for all college work (unofficial transcripts showing degree completion date are acceptable) will be required during the interview process.

Additional documents may be attached after the application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section. See full instructions, https://hr.umn.edu/Jobs/Applicant-Center/Help-Job-Applications/Using-Job-Application-System.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please email employ@umn.edu or call 612-624-UOHR (8647).

For questions about the position, please contact:

Stephanie Grimes, Hiring Coordinator, Youth Development, sagrimes@umn.edu.

For questions about applying online, contact:

Tiffany McMillan, Extension Human Resources, tiffmcm@umn.edu.

The University of Minnesota and Extension recognize and value the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu.

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.