Assistant Program Leader, 4-H Positive Youth Development

About the role

Oversee the positive youth development program components of the University of Illinois Extension 4-H Youth Development program. The position is part of the State 4-H Office based in Champaign, IL that provides strategic program leadership for 4-H activities delivered by staff in all 102 counties and metro areas of the state. This position will be responsible for providing strategic leadership for programming and strategic goal planning that reaches nearly 260,000 across the state and supervise all 4-H program staff in the State 4-H Office.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct supervision to the Specialists and Associates (10 direct reports) in the Illinois State 4-H Office. (STEM, Natural Resources & Shooting Sports, Creative & Cultural Arts, College & Career Readiness, Leadership, Healthy Living, Livestock/Animal Science, Food Systems, New Audiences & Outreach, Club Support & Awards)
• Supervise the Events and Communications Coordinator and provide direction in the planning of key events for Illinois 4-H staff.
• Direct state program staff in developing annual plan of work and conduct annual performance appraisals; manage and support the Specialist promotional pathway process for direct reports.
• Provide professional development opportunities to staff to enhance collaboration and connection to the Illinois Extension strategic plan and National 4-H initiatives; assist in planning and leading State 4-H staff meetings.
• Collaborate with the Senior Program Leads and Managers within the State 4-H Office as a team to ensure staff development, data collection and evaluation, financial operations, human resource management, alumni engagement, and marketing/branding opportunities.
• Provide leadership to ongoing and innovative 4-H youth development programs programmatically led by Specialists/Associates in the State 4-H Office. Lead and guide project curriculum/resource development and updates and statewide signature programs and events in partnership with administrative staff. Supervise and manage a statewide, peer-review process to support creation of evidence-based curriculum and programs to address the needs of the state, ensuring a strong research-based foundation. Lead an intentional charge to be accessible to all youth of Illinois, in accordance with the Civil Rights Act, Title IX, Rehabilitation, Americans with Disabilities Act, and the University of Illinois Extension affirmative action and Equal Employment Opportunities Program. Chair and lead the National 4-H Council Beyond Ready initiative in partnership with the Assistant Dean/Program Leader and Director of 4-H Youth Development; lead the statewide leadership team to operationalize action related to statewide priorities.
• Support the Assistant Dean, 4-H Youth Development in the development of a statewide program plan and annual budget request in response to county/regional needs, as well as emerging state and national issues. Monitor and facilitate collaboration and strong working relationships between state and county 4-H staff in support of Illinois 4-H program goals; create feedback loop with county 4-H staff to identify and respond to club and program support needs. Collaborate with the Illinois 4-H Director to support state staff engagement to develop collaborations and networks with other departments on campus and outside the University system that address the needs of Illinois youth. Provide leadership for building relationships with state, multi-state, national and international