Youth Program Associate - Greene County

Hiring Department: University of Missouri (MU) Office of Extension and Engagement, 4-H Center for Youth Development - Greene County

Location: Greene County - Springfield, MO

About the Role

The University of Missouri (MU) Office of Extension and Engagement’s distinct land-grant mission is to improve lives, communities, and economies by producing relevant, reliable, and responsive educational strategies throughout Missouri. Our dedicated and knowledgeable faculty and staff collaborate with researchers and community leaders to develop and deliver programs that address the needs of Missourians, including: educational attainment; environmental concerns; community, economic, business and workforce development; global food systems; and health systems.

The University of Missouri Extension 4-H Center for Youth Development provides leadership and expertise in developing communities of young people across Missouri who are learning citizenship, leadership, and life skills. 4-H is publicly supported by county, state, and federal partners, as well as private resources to enrich the learning experiences of both youth and adults.

This position will assist in the planning, management, and support of 4-H Youth Development programs in the assigned geographic area, under the guidance and supervision of the 4-H Youth Development Specialist/Educator.

Responsibilities

• Advocate for positive youth development in the community and MU Extension.
• Build and expand external local partnerships to grow the 4-H program in the county, including but not limited to Schools, Community Centers, and other Youth serving organizations.
• Build and expand internal partnerships to grow the 4-H program in the county, including partnerships among other UM Colleges and Missouri Extension programs: Agriculture & Environment, Business and Community, Health and Human Science.
• Assist with coordination and planning, management, marketing, implementing (including teaching), and evaluation (including reporting) of research-based curriculum that has an emphasis on Leadership and Civic Engagement, STEM, Healthy Living, Agriculture and Natural Resources, as well as other career exploration topics, including curriculums offered in face-to-face activities and online.
• Build capacity amongst volunteers and community partners, fostering developmental relationships to contribute to program growth.
• Engage and empower volunteers and community partners to effectively implement 4-H programs across all delivery modes.
• Develop leadership capacity among youth.
• Assist in the management of financial and in-kind resources.
• Coordinate and/or conduct educational events, contests, camps, and programs utilizing a positive youth development approach.
• Contribute to the statewide effort to impact the lives of all Missourians positively, including promotion of state and national events and contests.
• Report accomplishments and impacts to appropriate sources including supervisor, funders, and stakeholders.
• Assist with record keeping and report preparation of 4-H Youth Development Programs.
• Ensure that individuals in the county can participate in extension programs.
• Participate in training and professional development opportunities for continued knowledge, skills, and abilities as it relates to the 4-H Youth Development program.
• Travel and work flexible hours, including some evenings and weekends, is required to fulfill assigned responsibilities.

Requirements

• An Associate's Degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired.

Qualifications

• A minimum of six hours in one or more of the domains of the 4-H Professional, Research, Knowledge and Competency Taxonomy (PRKC) for youth development. Domains are youth and adult development, learning strategies and education, organizational systems and resource management, community partnerships, and volunteerism.
• Experience in group work that involved direct care and interaction with children, such as YMCA, day care, schools, recreational facilities, etc., may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the stated education.
• Self-motivated, willing to take initiative, and able to work with minimum supervision.
• Ability and willingness to learn and implement hands-on learning with an emphasis on Leadership and Civic Engagement, STEM, Healthy Living, Agriculture and Natural Resources, as well as other career exploration topics.
• Ability to build internal and external partnerships to grow the 4-H program.
• Effective use of social media and information technology, including a variety of Windows-based computer software programs.
• Organized, accurate, dependable, with a positive attitude and willingness to work as part of a team.
• Strong communication skills when identifying and working with partners, youth, volunteers, and community members/organizations to provide a quality program.
• Skills in marketing, promotion, and evaluation of programs offered.
• Creativity, problem-solving, and the ability to think on your feet.
• Ability to understand, synthesize, and communicate relevant information to various audiences.
• Ability to recruit, develop, and train youth and adults as volunteer leaders to assist with the implementation of the 4-H program.

Schedule

Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Ability to travel and work flexible hours, including some evenings and weekends, is required to fulfill assigned responsibilities.

Pay

Salary Range: $15.00 - $17.00 per hour

Benefits

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, retirement, paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parental leave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website.