Sanilac County Extension 4-H Program Coordinator

About the role

This position provides leadership and oversight for growth and management of local 4-H programs, volunteers, and youth participants. Working with the supervising educator, the coordinator will ensure alignment of programs with overall goals of the Children & Youth Institute and MSU Extension. The role recruits, selects, and trains volunteers, identifies program promotion and expansion opportunities, builds new partnerships, and delivers programs through in-school, after-school, and special interest groups with a focus on reaching youth in Sanilac County. The position also manages local 4-H financial resources, conducts needs assessments, and communicates program progress to leadership. Professional development is provided to build skills in volunteer screening and management, youth development, and program management. The role operates from the Sanilac County MSU Extension office with some expectation of in-office presence.

Responsibilities

• Train 4-H volunteers to deliver non-formal “learning by doing” experiences to youth, adults, and families representative of the communities served.
• Build new partnerships with schools and community groups to expand program delivery through volunteers and direct programming.
• Attend and advise 4-H Leaders’ Council and program committee meetings, ensuring compliance with MSU Extension and 4-H policies.
• Provide leadership in volunteer management, achieving annual metrics for volunteer identification, recruitment, selection, training, and support.
• Collaborate with the 4-H Staff Development and Supervising Educator, District Director, Extension Educators, and partners to implement statewide educational priorities locally.
• Operate independently to deliver programs aligned with established guidelines and statewide goals for youth reach.
• Use program development and advisory committees and conduct needs assessments to plan, implement, and evaluate youth development programs relevant to Sanilac County residents.
• Lead management and oversight of all county-based financial resources related to 4-H programs.
• Initiate efforts to expand Extension programs to unreached audiences, including limited resource families, youth, minorities, and people with disabilities.
• Communicate program information to supervisors, District Director, and Institute leadership, including progress, objectives, target dates, and challenges.
• Collaborate with local 4-H staff to prepare county 4-H youth development program plans, annual reports, and other required documentation.
• Create, promote, and represent MSU Extension at community activities, meetings, and events in a manner reflecting collegial connection, research-based knowledge, and organizational goodwill.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and two years of experience in program development and management in 4-H or other youth development program.
• Volunteer management experience and ability to supervise volunteers or others.
• Combination of education and relevant work experience may be considered in lieu of degree.
• Demonstrated success in program development and delivery to diverse audiences and ability to establish and work with constituent networks across race, color, gender, national origin, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, veteran status, socioeconomic class, and other differences.
• Sensitivity, knowledge, and ability to apply approaches that reflect understanding of social, cultural, and varied economic backgrounds of target populations.
• Experience working productively in both leadership and contributor roles within a team.
• Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
• Proficiency in technology including Zoom, Qualtrics, Microsoft Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and distance technology for day-to-day work, record keeping, reporting, and team communications.
• Regular travel within local and surrounding communities and occasional long-distance travel.
• Ability to lift and carry educational materials and equipment up to 25 lbs.
• Responsibility for personal transportation.

Desired Qualifications

• Non-formal education teaching experience.
• Demonstrated drive and initiative with proven ability to manage multiple responsibilities and tasks simultaneously.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain partnerships across varied backgrounds and communities.
• Prior experience supporting external contracts and/or grant requirements.