Riley County 4-H Youth Development Extension Agent

About the Role

Extension agents are professional educators, community connectors and innovators who serve as a link between Kansas State University and communities across Kansas. Agents are jointly responsible to the director of K-State Extension (represented by a designated administrator) and the local extension board.

Lead the development, implementation, and evaluation of a comprehensive 4-H youth development program for school-aged youth in cooperation with local community members and extension colleagues. The primary focus of this position is youth development, along with adult volunteer development; youth education program development; membership growth and participation; and community partnership expansion.

• Community club support
• Out-of-school programs
• School enrichment
• Volunteer management
• Outreach to create program opportunities with new and existing community partners

Successful extension programs require agents to:

• Identify local needs and emerging issues related to K-State Extension's five critical issues (water and natural resources; community vitality; health; developing tomorrow's leaders; and global food systems) by engaging with program development committees and other community organizations and professionals.
• Design appropriate educational strategies to respond to emerging needs and engage clientele by aligning with the imperatives of the K-State Next-Gen Strategic Plan. Strategies might include educational programming in a community-based setting; events and activities that provide experiential learning opportunities; use of innovative technologies; individual educational consultations; and group facilitation.
• Collaborate with local partners to meet community and programmatic needs.
• Recruit and manage volunteers to further the reach and impact of extension programming.
• Develop and implement strategies to serve all community audiences.
• Collect and communicate evidence of educational program impact.
• Cultivate expertise in a subject matter competency area by engaging as a member of the Youth Development Program Focus Team.
• Pursue internal and external funding to support educational programming.
• Serve as a member of the Riley County team, cooperating in the planning and delivery of county-wide programming and related events.
• Supervise one Riley County 4-H programming assistant.

About Us

4-H provides school-aged youth with community, mentors, and learning opportunities to develop the skills they need to create positive change in their lives and communities. It is a research-based experience that helps kids and teens thrive through connection, learning, service and leadership opportunities. Adult volunteers, managed by their local 4-H youth development extension agent(s), share their passions, skills and talents to empower youth to reach their full potential. Learn more about Kansas 4-H at kansas4-h.org.

Extension agents are educators, connectors and innovators who serve as links between K-State and Kansas communities. Riley County, in the Flint Hills of northeast Kansas, has a population of approximately 72,000. The county includes the rural communities of Ogden, Riley, Leonardville, Randolph, and Zeandale, with Manhattan as the county seat. Riley County is home to Kansas State University and a large part of Fort Riley. The Riley County Extension staff includes five agents, one 4-H programming assistant, and two office professionals. The incoming 4-H Extension Agent will lead a thriving program with more than 300 members across 10 clubs and supported by over 50 dedicated volunteers.

Worksite

This agent will serve the people of Riley County. The primary office will be in Manhattan, KS. This position is on-site and requires occasional overnight travel. The role is expected to host and attend events during some evenings and weekends. Reimbursement for travel and subsistence related to achieving program objectives will be provided.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree.
• At least 12 credit hours of academic coursework or six months of professional experience related directly to the primary programming responsibilities (e.g., education, child development, volunteer management).
• Demonstrated academic and/or professional achievement (minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale or evidence of progressively responsible professional roles).
• Experience delivering information, training, or education to groups or individuals.