Assistant/Associate 4-H Agent Youth Development

Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; state and optional retirement plans; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more!

The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs.

• Promote Cooperative Extension as the outreach arm of the state land-grant university.
• Be entrepreneurial.
• Use good time management.
• Function as a resource for other agencies and organizations. Promote interaction and cooperation among various groups.
• Using community needs and assessment data, the Agent will develop and train volunteers to conduct programs which address priority needs at the county, state, and national levels. To do so, the incumbent will be responsible for grant writing and conducting applied research that supports the needs of their county based 4-H program. The Agent will also be asked to conduct own applied research, outreach and contribute to unit, college, and university service. The successful candidate is required to provide opportunities that support youth from all backgrounds to develop into competent, confident, and caring individuals who contribute to their community and demonstrate the character to be a responsible citizen. Programs will assist adults, youth, and families by building coalitions with community groups, agencies, and other organizations. The person must be able to work with diverse clientele and colleagues and willing to employ a variety of teaching methods. Programs will emphasize personal growth, leadership development and skill development of youth and adult volunteers. This position provides the youth in the county with non-formal educational opportunities designed to help them develop into productive and engaged citizens. The Agent works to expand the 4-H club program and ensure youth experience a high-context youth development program. In these and other ways, the Extension Agent will improve and develop a high-quality research-based, volunteer implemented, positive youth development 4-H program that address the needs of clientele through educational and applied research opportunities, enhances youth-adult engagement, increased program diversity, and expand community collaborations.
• Participate in statewide working groups to develop new and creative programming efforts.
• Prepare educational material, evaluation instruments, publications of research results, and publicity information in support of state, county, and community initiatives.
• Exhibit a positive view of others and their capabilities.
• In cooperation with community groups, 4-H volunteers, local leaders, Extension advisory groups, and other Extension professionals, develop an annual Plan of Work.
• Demonstrated ability to use current computer technology and distance-bridging technologies to expand learning opportunities.
• Maintain professional competence through study, participation in professional activities and the application of knowledge and skills on the job.
• Collaborate with county and campus faculty, statewide 4-H Director, and other experts in the development of educational programs, applied research, and scholarly works.
• Manage existing 4-H club activities including, but not limited to, large animal projects and teen pregnancy prevention.
• Promote communication and teamwork with county and state Extension, and other faculty professionals.
• The incumbent must have the ability to perform activities associated with conducting programs in the field through the use of reasonable accommodations.
• Identify resources (grants, contracts, gifts, in kind contributions, etc.) to enhance programs, with demonstrated success with grants, contracts, and gift development.
• Additional skills, or expertise specifically related to the assignment.
• Work as a member of the Arizona 4-H team by participating in trainings, sharing expertise, and serving on task forces and signature program teams.
• Demonstrated record of scholarly activity.
• Develop, coordinate, train, and manage volunteers systems for youth and adult volunteers who help deliver and manage youth development programs.
• Perform as a collegial member of Cooperative Extension.
• Disseminate own applied research results and educational materials through county wide and/or multi-county events, workshops, websites, newsletters and other mass media methods, and other methods.
• Show good judgement.
• Use sensitivity while working with peers and community members alike.
• Consult with the County Extension Director to evaluate program effectiveness and personal achievements as an Extension Professional.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Other duties as assigned
• Possess self-confidence and self-efficacy.
• Demonstrated ability to use social media and effective marketing strategy to reach youth and adult audiences.
• Conduct creative applied research and educational programming and utilize new technology that may include problem solving research, to address priority needs of the target audiences.
• Communicate program results to both professional peers and clientele through periodic reports, scholarly works, and various types of publications (e.g., bulletins/fact sheets, popular articles, state publications, scientific articles, social media, and video and computer programs).
• Be able to work evenings and weekends.
• The ability to travel regionally and nationally.
• Maintain high ethical and professional standards.
• Evaluate and document results and impacts of applied research and educational programs.

• Must have a Valid Driver's License and ability to drive according to the University Fleet Safety Policy.
• Two years of applicable professional experience.
• Experience in working with diverse youth and volunteer audiences.
• Experience in the subject matter of youth development and people related skills such as teaching, problem analysis, conflict management, communications, human relations, and leadership development.
• Experience in identifying and obtaining grants, contracts and other financial resources to enhance programming.
• Experience in design, implementing, and evaluating educational programming.
• A Master’s Degree related in youth development, education, social work, leadership, or other related fields.

• Experience planning programs and working in diverse communities.
• Experience supervision of others to include planning, assigning and scheduling work.
• Experience in collaboration and relationship building.
• Program and volunteer management experience in an informal setting.