4-H Youth Development Community Education Specialist Yuba City, CA, Job ID 76651

About the role

The Community Education Specialist 2 (CES 2) position will be located in the University of California Cooperative Extension Office and will act as a valuable team member of the 4-H Youth Development Program (4-H YDP).

Responsibilities

• Manage the 4-H youth development program (YDP), events and activities and ensure compliance with best practices of positive youth development, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) best practices, policy and procedure. Monitor program compliance in line with University and 4-H YD policies and procedures.

• Work with groups of volunteers, youth, and community partners and serve as their direct liaison

• Provide training and support to community club leaders, project leaders, other volunteers, youth, and community partners using approved materials and curriculum, including (but not limited to) specific curriculum, positive youth development (Thrive), online enrollment systems, and policy. Provide feedback to Regional Program Coordinator and Advisor on needs for advanced training.

• Support interested groups in starting new 4-H programs, including chartering new clubs, reviewing and approving documents, and submitting all paperwork to the appropriate individuals.

• Maintain up-to-date understanding of 4-H YD policies and relevant UC ANR policies and ensure timely communication of new or existing 4-H policies, procedures, and enrollment processes to new and returning 4-H youth, volunteers, parents, and community partners.

• Collaborate with 4-H Volunteer Management Organizations and committees. Attend meetings as needed. Aim to ensure a cohesive, diverse volunteer management system.

• Effectively resolve conflict. Provide oversight, review complaints, and follow 4-H Conflict Resolution Policy. Effectively and timely resolve conflict. Keep your RPC (Regional Program Coordinator) informed of all conflicts and complaints. Notify Regional Program Coordinator (RPC) if the complaint escalates and needs higher review. Ensure all needed UC ANR individuals are notified as needed. All 4-H professionals serve as mandated reporters under California Law.

• Disseminate 4-H information via the 4-H website, collaborative tools, emails, social media, newsletters, blogs, etc.

• Serve as a liaison and communication link to community organizations, including but not limited to local schools, youth-based community organizations, race/ethnic-based community organizations, education-aligned organizations, and local fairs. Represent the 4-H YDP in the county. Provide information about the 4-H YDP to the public.

• Build knowledge and skills in the areas of intercultural development, youth development, youth leadership, development of life skills, and volunteerism. Develop knowledge and expertise in a variety of content areas such as but not limited to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math), College & Career/Workforce Readiness, Healthy Living, Civic Engagement & Leadership through a Positive Youth Development (PYD) lens.

• Attend and participate in relevant professional development opportunities, virtual webinars, state/regional meetings and trainings, California 4-H State Association meetings and trainings, and monthly state 4-H meetings, including in-person conferences as funding allows.

• Maintain 4-H county social media, create flyers for recruiting youth membership, volunteers, and community partners and educational materials using Canva, Microsoft products, or other design software. Assist in creating educational presentations, and manage data using 4-H enrollment software and Excel. Manage and update 4-H websites.

• Aid in preparing an annual plan of action, county reports, grant and funding reports, progress reports and end-of-the year accomplishments report as requested by the Regional Program Coordinator or Advisor. Assist Regional Program Coordinator (RPC) in preparing affirmative action reports and other UC/4-H reports.

Qualifications

• A minimum associate degree in a related field and/or equivalent experience/training in personnel management, youth development, program management, volunteer management, training professionals, and conducting workshops.
• Proficiency in diversity, equity, and inclusion best practices.
• Demonstrated success in teaching and working with a diverse youth, family, and/or volunteer audience and knowledge in delivering community educational programs.
• Familiarity with community-based agencies and experience collaborating with multiple community organizations.
• Ability to understand, interpret, and communicate departmental and organizational policies and procedures and ensure compliance.
• Working knowledge of conducting needs assessment.
• Good analytical skills to understand how program needs can be addressed through the development and delivery of training programs.
• Good reading, verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills.
• Good presentation skills.
• Proficient in use of Windows-based computers with knowledge of Microsoft Office programs (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

Preferred Skills

• Bilingual English/Spanish
• Demonstrated ability to recognize similarities and differences across cultures and to bridge differences.
• Proficient in the use of social media to communicate 4-H information and reach new audiences.
• Experience in marketing, promoting or creating public awareness of programs and opportunities.
• Proficient in the use of any graphic design software such as Adobe Design, Photoshop or Microsoft Publisher, Canva
• Proficient web-based computer applications such, Constant Contact, integrated management systems, and cloud storage systems.