Description:

Cooperative Extension at North Carolina A&T State University is seeking qualified applicants to fill the position of 4-H Youth Development Specialist. The 4-H Youth Development Specialist provides educational leadership for the development, management, implementation, and evaluation of a comprehensive, research based statewide 4-H Youth Development program that meet the needs of a diverse non-traditional, limited-resource youth audience. The specialist delivers training and educational support materials for field staff and their clientele/customers (youth and volunteers) in 4-H Youth Development that is consistent with the philosophy, policy and overall mission, goals and educational objectives of Cooperative Extension at N.C. A&T.

This position works with county staff to help them understand the scope and purpose of the youth at risk and limited resource volunteer program; provides selected county staffs with appropriate teaching aids and educational materials suitable for the implementation of programs for youth at risk utilizing limited-resource volunteers; and helps county staffs develop proficiency in utilizing educational methods and available resources in the implementation of the county 4-H programs.

Primary Function of Organizational Unit:

Cooperative Extension at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University is an educational outreach organization within the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences. Cooperative Extension at A&T provides researched-based educational information, programming and technical assistance to limited-resource audiences that address a diverse range of issues in four programmatic areas – Agriculture and Natural Resources, Family and Consumer Sciences, Community and Rural Development, and 4-H Youth Development. Together with its partners – NC State Extension, U.S. Department of Agriculture, state and county governments, a dynamic and resourceful system is formed. In addition to campus operations, Cooperative Extension has professionally staffed offices in almost half of the 100 counties in North Carolina and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian Nation. For additional information, please visit (http://www.ncat.edu).

Internal job number: 008524

Requirements:

• Ph.D. or Ed.D. from an accredited university in human development, youth development, guidance and counseling, leadership development, volunteerism, education, or other related discipline. Applicants with a doctorate degree in progress will also be considered. Degree must be completed by date of hire.

• Experience in the design and development of educational training materials for use in community based educational programming.

• Prior experience in educational settings (formal or non-formal).

• Basic understanding of the Cooperative Extension and the land-grant university.

• Demonstrated personal/interpersonal skills, including effective oral and written communication skills, to teach and interact effectively with a variety of audiences including youth, volunteers, Extension staff, faculty and stakeholders.

• Computer literacy (proficiency in MS Excel, PowerPoint and Office, etc.)

• Ability to effectively use technology to accomplish 4-H Youth Development programming.

• Strong oral and written communication skills.

• Demonstrated ability to write, manage and fulfill grant, contract and special project requirements.

• Ability to interact and gain support from constituencies outside the university such as business and industry, state and federal agencies and non-profit and private foundations.

• Ability to work with minimal supervision, including prioritizing workloads to meet deadlines.

• Possess a valid driver’s license with the ability and willingness to travel 25 – 50% of time, including overnight stays and occasional weekends.

Preferred:

• In addition to doctorate, five or more years of professional community experience in Cooperative Extension or non-profit private sector.

• Demonstrated work in experiential learning.

• Experience with community based volunteers.

• Record of successful partnerships at community, state and/or national levels.