Field Specialist in 4-H Youth Development – Jefferson County

Location: Hillsboro, Missouri serving Jefferson County in the Urban East Region, with additional service within the region and across the state as needed.

About the role

The Field Specialist in 4-H Youth Development is responsible for planning, implementing, and evaluating positive youth and volunteer development programs. This is a 12-month, ranked, non-tenure track appointment at the rank of assistant, associate, or full Extension Professional. Rank will be determined at the time of appointment based on qualifications and experience. The workload distribution at appointment is 90% Extension Teaching and 10% Traditional Service. This appointment is renewable annually at the discretion of the University.

Specialist Emphasis

University of Missouri Extension 4-H youth development programs help children and teens become caring, capable, competent, and contributing through a series of progressive experiences over time with caring adults during non-school hours. Programs focus on the broader developmental needs of youth rather than preventing single issues or problems, using a human ecological approach that recognizes young people as part of systems including family, school, community, and society.

Responsibilities

• Implement community-based 4-H Positive Youth Development (PYD) programs, in-school and after-school programs, short-term interest (SPIN) Clubs, and enrichment activities.
• Use and recommend research-based curriculum and teaching methods.
• Secure a culture of high-quality service for all 4-H members and volunteers.
• Provide leadership to 4-H councils and committees.
• Recruit, develop, and train youth and adults to assist as leaders with implementing the 4-H program.
• Conduct evaluations of Missouri 4-H programs (evaluations provided).
• Ensure all youth and adults in the county have the opportunity to participate in extension programs.
• Apply for and administer local grants and other funding sources.
• Provide supervision and development to program associate(s).

Core Duties of MU Extension Specialists

• Educate: Design, conduct, and evaluate educational programs. Teach research-based information via meetings, courses, technical assistance, volunteer training, media, websites, and consultation.
• Create: Develop innovative and research-informed educational products, services, materials, and scholarly works, including curricula, publications, and tools. Obtain extramural funding and contribute to the scholarship of Extension and Engagement.
• Connect: Engage with learners, stakeholders, volunteers, and communities, including county extension councils, government officials, and University organizations. Foster partnerships and robust connections to University of Missouri System programs.

Professional Expectations

• Engage with stakeholders to identify educational needs and collaborate with partners to meet those needs.
• Create an annual plan of work reflecting local needs and aligning with statewide program efforts.
• Provide monthly reports to county extension councils, supervisors, and others regarding programmatic efforts.
• Attend at least one county extension council meeting monthly and provide oral updates.
• Collaborate with campus-based specialists on research projects and deliver findings through demonstrations, workshops, consultations, and publications.
• Demonstrate competency in communication, educational programming, subject matter knowledge, volunteer management, grant acquisition, teamwork, and leadership.
• Offer timely, research-based information during natural disasters or similar events.
• Represent the University on assigned boards and committees.
• Participate in professional development to improve technical and leadership skills.

Additional Expectations

• Regularly travel throughout Missouri and occasionally out-of-state. Requires a valid Missouri driver’s license, legally operating vehicle, and wireless telephone/data service for University use. Reimbursement provided for approved travel expenses.
• Attend programs outside regular business hours as needed to meet the needs of learners and stakeholders.

Programmatic supervision is provided by the Assistant Director of Missouri 4-H (Education Director), with administrative oversight from the Regional Director.

Qualifications

• An earned PhD or master’s degree at the time of appointment.
• Upper-level coursework in one or more of the following areas:
  • Child, adolescent, and adult human development
  • Education, learning theory, and learning strategies
  • Organizational systems and human resource management
  • Community development/partnerships
  • Volunteerism

Pay

Minimum starting salary of $58,000, with the final salary determined based on the candidate’s qualifications and experience.

Benefits

This position is eligible for University benefits, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision plans
• Retirement benefits
• Educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses

For additional information, visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website.