Cooperative Extension 4-H Youth Development Advisor Serving San Diego and Imperial Counties (AP 22-05)

Position Overview

The University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) invites applications for a UC Cooperative Extension 4-H Youth Development Advisor serving San Diego and Imperial Counties. The Advisor will develop, deliver, and evaluate a program that provides youth in the two counties with meaningful personal development opportunities, especially in science, technology, engineering, agriculture, and mathematics (STEAM). California's 4-H Youth Development Program helps young people reach their full potential as competent, confident leaders who contribute to and are connected to their communities. 4-H serves youth throughout California in urban, suburban, and rural communities.

UCCE Advisors are responsible for applied research and extending knowledge. Research activities are applied, needs-based, mission-oriented, and focused on addressing our communities' challenges. Extension activities are the educational practices advisors use to share research results directly with clientele and communities. Increased knowledge and understanding of science-based research help to support and promote the adoption of practices and technologies that solve problems. Extension methods may include individual consultations, presentations, organization of educational workshops and short courses, field demonstrations, and farm and site visits. Information may also be disseminated via radio outreach, webinars, fact sheets, policy briefs, news blogs, and social media. Publications are expected in various formats, including newsletters, popular press articles, curricula, conference proceedings, and peer-reviewed publications.

Successful research and extension programs result in new information that improves knowledge and understanding, and leads to the adoption of new skills, practices, and attitudes, and to changes in policies and environmental, health, agricultural, economic, and/or social conditions. UCCE Advisors are evaluated through an academic advancement system based on four criteria: extending knowledge, applied research and creative activity, professional competence and activity, and University and public service.

Location: UCCE San Diego County, 9335 Hazard Way, Suite 201, San Diego, CA 92123.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement an innovative extension education and applied research program focused on youth participation in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, agriculture, and math) activities, such as agricultural technology and engineering, animal science, computer science, horticulture, artificial intelligence, robotics, drones, veterinary science, and more.
• Focus on increasing youth access and engagement in STEAM education to build hands-on skills, creativity, career awareness, leadership, and workforce preparedness.
• Using a positive youth development framework, provide academic leadership for the 4-H community club program and other 4-H delivery models and to county-based 4-H staff, educators, volunteers, and community members, supporting program quality, coordination, and community engagement.
• Integrate ANR's research and extension education efforts across communities to improve youth participation in STEAM in the two-county region.
• Identify and implement program strategies and community-based approaches that strengthen STEAM-related skills and opportunities for youth.
• Develop and deliver workshops in a STEAM-related subject area to build skills among youth, adult volunteers, and professionals who work with youth.
• Conduct applied research related to a STEAM-related subject area, in cooperation with State 4-H staff, 4-H Advisors in other counties, and community partners.
• Develop and evaluate youth development programs that support STEAM engagement in both school-based and out-of-school-time educational settings.
• Apply and assess the quality of youth development within STEAM programming.
• Establish partnerships with a variety of stakeholders and collaborators, which may include school districts, youth centers on military bases, youth-serving nonprofits, county agency staff, Farm Bureau, local fair boards, and local colleges and universities, to strengthen visibility, alignment, and program impact.

Required Qualifications

Education: A minimum of a master's degree in an area related to youth development or education, STEAM-related disciplines, including agricultural education, animal science, or another related, relevant discipline, is required at the time of appointment.

Key Qualifications:

• Experience in conducting applied research, program evaluation, and education programs with youth.
• Ability to create partnerships with local agency staff, such as school district personnel.
• A record of research or outreach publications.
• Leadership skills and experience in program and personnel management.
• Ability and means to travel on a flexible schedule as needed; proof of liability and property damage insurance on the vehicle used is required. Must possess or obtain a valid California Driver's License to drive a County or University Vehicle.
• This position is not remote; the candidate must be available to work onsite at the headquarters location and travel to and be present in other counties with programmatic responsibilities.

Additional Skills Required:

• Applicants need to meet appointment criteria for the respective University of California academic title series and provide evidence of success in meeting the required academic advancement criteria as per UC Academic Personnel Manuals.
• Applicants need to document relevant research, extension, teaching experience, and appropriate scholarly achievements.
• Interest in and a desire to pursue a career in UC Cooperative Extension.
• Deep understanding of STEAM and ability to design and implement a program that leads to youth engagement in STEAM.
• Substantial experience and sensitivity to cultural differences relative to working with youth and adults. The ability to work with clientele across a wide range of socio-economic classes and ethnicities is essential.
• Demonstrated excellence in written, oral, interpersonal, and information technology communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with key external stakeholders and county-based staff, as well as with colleagues within UC ANR.
• Expectation that advisors evolve and grow throughout their careers and respond to changes in the industry, clientele, and the organization.
• As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer. "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.

Desired Experience

• Experience working with youth from diverse backgrounds.
• Spanish language proficiency.
• Ability to communicate well with regional audiences, including local elected officials, K-12 school representatives, agricultural organizations, and natural resources agencies.
• Experience working with adult volunteers involved with youth programs.
• Ability to secure and manage extramural funding.

About UC ANR

UC ANR is a division of the University of California (UC) system that bridges the gap between local issues and the UC system's expertise by providing research-based information, educational programs, and technical expertise to the public in areas such as agriculture, natural resources, nutrition, and youth development. UC ANR is part of a nationwide Cooperative Extension network, which began in the early 20th century to connect research from land-grant universities with the everyday needs of people in communities across the United States. Today, we collaborate with farmers, ranchers, diverse communities, youth and adult educators, and policymakers to address local and statewide issues related to food systems, water, climate change, and sustainable agriculture through a statewide network of campus-based researchers, county-based Advisors, and community educators. Our mission is to cultivate thriving communities, sustainable agriculture, resilient ecosystems, and economic prosperity in California and globally through equitable generation and sharing of collaborative, science-based solutions. Over 180 UCCE Advisors conduct applied research and extension education from county-based UCCE offices serving all 58 counties from 70+ locations. By working and living among those we serve, UC ANR expands the University of California's reach to engage all people and communities in California, ensuring equal access to the resources UC offers.

This response is AI-generated, for reference only.