Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Extension Agent - 4-H Youth Development
Virginia Cooperative Extension
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Position Description

Overview
The 4-H Youth Development Agent is a professional educator who provides leadership to the local 4-H program and manages its day-to-day operation.  4-H is a community of young people learning leadership, citizenship, and life skills.  The mission of 4-H is to develop youth and adults working with those youth, to realize their full potential—becoming effective, contributing citizens through participation in research-based, non-formal, hands-on educational experiences.

Major Responsibilities

• Serve as manager of the unit 4-H Youth Development program.
• Provide leadership to an educational process through which youth and adults learn the skills of understanding self; acquiring, analyzing and using information; communicating and relating to others; problem solving and decision making; managing resources; and working with others.
• Plan, execute and evaluate the 4-H Youth Development program.
• Provide leadership for 4-H Youth Development programs that meet the needs of youth regardless of race, color, national origin, gender, age, disability, or religion.
• Identify, recruit, train, support, and manage volunteers to implement and carry out the 4-H educational programming in the unit.
• Follow the guidelines and policies of the Virginia 4-H Youth Development program.
• Determine unit program needs by monitoring trends and issues, and conducting unit assessments involving the unit Extension Leadership Council (ELC) and other leadership committees.
• Network and build coalitions with other agencies, organizations and institutions to address the complex youth and family issues and the needs of the 4-H program.
• Work as a partner of a team to promote unit, district, state, national, and international programs and priorities with 4-H.
• Coordinate day-to-day activities and events associated with the unit 4-H program including 4-H delivery (community 4-H clubs, project 4-H clubs, school enrichment 4-H, after-school 4-H, special interest 4-H, and 4-H camping).
• Develop and maintain a systematic fund raising plan for private support of the unit 4-H program on an annual basis.
• Develop and deliver objective and research-based educational programs to meet the needs of diverse audiences, specify program goals and objectives, and identify resources needed.
• Inform clientele of program activities.
• Use appropriate technologies to plan and deliver programs through workshops, seminars, conferences, one-on-one visits, field trips, and tours.
• Organize and maintain a multi-level system of recognition and incentives for youth and volunteers in the program on an annual basis.
• Use computer applications for the development and delivery of educational programs and for program management.
• Maintain knowledge of current research information and participate in staff development programs.
• Develop and implement evaluation plans on a regular basis.
• Working with the unit support staff, organize and maintain unit 4-H files and records of 4-H activities.
• Working with the unit support staff, maintain an inventory of unit 4-H project and educational support materials.
• Encourage and promote active volunteer involvement in the Virginia Association of Adult 4-H Volunteer Leaders (VAA4-HVL).
• Implement, evaluate, and report the 4-H Youth Development program to key stakeholders and administration, reporting impacts to clientele, the public, supporters, and VCE administration.
• Willing to assume other duties as necessary.

Required Educational Qualifications
Must have a minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree (BA or BS) at time of employment in a relevant discipline from a credited college or university; master’s degree is preferred.  A master’s degree and promotion to Extension Agent are required no later than the sixth year of employment. 

Other Qualifications

• Knowledge and experience in planning, conducting, and evaluating participatory Extension or non-formal education programs.
• Understanding and ability to conduct community needs assessment to determine program priorities.
• Knowledge of child and human development.
• Knowledge and willingness of adult involvement and working relationships.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Basic knowledge in educational technologies and their appropriate use in the development and delivery of educational programs.
• Program marketing skills.
• Knowledge and willingness to involve and manage volunteers in program development and delivery.
• Maintain a personal commitment to working with diverse clientele and colleagues, and a willingness to further the civil rights goals of Virginia Cooperative Extension.

Virginia Cooperative Extension programs and employment are open to all, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. Minorities and women are encouraged to apply. Individuals with disabilities requiring assistance in the application process should make contact immediately.

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