Extension State Program Director, 4-H Youth Development

The Office of Engagement and Extension (OEE), in cooperation with the Colorado State University (CSU) colleges and other units, has general charge over the University’s educational programs and services across the areas of engaged scholarship, extension, and extended campuses, which complement and reinforce the research, teaching, and service missions of CSU. OEE is collaborative space for faculty, staff, and students pursuing and promoting community-based research, service-learning, industry partnerships, and other forms of the scholarship of engagement. In partnership with the CSU colleges and other divisions, OEE faculty and staff work throughout the state of Colorado to engage individuals and communities in the design, implementation, and application of scholarship and educational opportunities. The OEE Vice President is the principal administrative, academic, and fiscal officer for the division, reports to the CSU President, and works closely with the Provost/Executive Vice President. OEE includes over 400 employees and operates with a total budget across the enterprises of approximately $85 million. OEE is one of the most institutionally comprehensive commitments to engagement and outreach among all land-grant and other universities. Propelled by OEE’s leadership, nationally CSU is a Carnegie Engaged University (2008, 2014), is a member of the Engagement Scholarship Consortium, is an APLU Innovation and Economic Prosperity University (2016) and is highly ranked for its online degree programs. CSU was established in 1870 and remains inspired by its land-grant heritage and world-class faculty, staff, and students. CSU enrolls approximately 33,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students, and is the largest employer in northern Colorado with more than 7,400 faculty and staff. Colorado State University is located 60 miles north of Denver in the beautiful city of Fort Collins.

CSU Extension, organized under OEE, is the academic unit designated to promote the land-grant mission of increasing access to education through the application of university knowledge in the several pursuits and professions in life for the people and communities of Colorado, across the United States, and around the world. In partnership with CSU’s colleges and external partners, CSU Extension amplifies the research, teaching, service, engagement, and extension missions of CSU. CSU Extension faculty aim to educate, create, and connect with learners through inclusive, transdisciplinary, and activated engaged scholarship, and innovative, accessible, and connected lifelong education. To learn more about CSU Extension, visit www.extension.colostate.edu.

We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of all backgrounds and abilities. We invite you to review Colorado State University’s Principles of Community that guide our mission and vision of access, teaching, service, and engagement. Colorado State University encourages professional development and provides an Employee Study Privilege with up to nine credit hours of tuition assistance annually.

The CSU Extension 4-H Youth Development Program supports a community of young people across Colorado who are learning leadership, citizenship, and life skills. Local 4-H programs throughout the state are led by nearly 90 county-based staff. The program currently engages more than 104,000 youth and 11,633 adult volunteers in a variety of delivery modes including, but not limited to: organized 4-H clubs, short term projects, school enrichment, afterschool programs, and programs located on military bases. Statewide, 76% of 4-H youth are White, 24% are Hispanic, 7% are Black, and Asian/Pacific Islanders and American Indian/Alaskan Natives are each represented at about 1½%.

OEE invites applications and nominations for an Extension State Program Director, 4-H Youth Development. This is a full-time, twelve (12) month, non-tenure track Extension faculty position. The faculty appointment, evaluation, and promotion standards are centered around the three core duties of Extension faculty – educate, create, and connect. Candidates are sought with interests that complement and expand upon current initiatives and education activities in OEE and CSU Extension.

The Extension State Program Director, 4-H Youth Development is a senior leadership position in the Office of Engagement & Extension responsible for all aspects of programming and management of the Colorado State University (CSU) Extension 4-H Youth Development Program as well as supporting and facilitating youth development, education, outreach, collaboration, and research efforts statewide. The position provides overall programmatic and organizational vision, leadership, guidance, and direction in the development, implementation, marketing, evaluation, and accountability for the Colorado 4-H Youth Development Program. The position reports directly to the Vice President of the Office of Engagement and Extension. The successful candidate plays a dynamic role in helping Colorado State University achieve its youth educational outreach goals, leads a robust, diverse, and thriving statewide 4-H program, and supports staff across the state to be successful youth development faculty specialists.

This position directly supervises 10+ positions which include Extension Specialists, Program Coordinators, Administrative Assistants, non-student, and student hourly employees. They also provide accountability for programing and civil rights directives, and policies across the state supporting field staff. Active and effective communication with staff and key stakeholders, both on campus and across the state, is critical to the success of this position.

This position requires a level of professional expertise necessary for independent decision-making, leadership, and evaluation about program design, development, evaluation of quality educational products, and fund development. This position will initiate collaborations and reciprocal partnerships among public and private entities that have significant influence on the current and future success of the University. The person in this position will collaborate in the Office of Engagement & Extension’s decision-making and policy development with leadership colleagues and other leaders on and off the Colorado State University campus and around the state. This position will be responsible for multiple operational accounts including the state 4-H budget, state foundation accounts, sponsored grants, and provide general guidance across the state for multiple types of federally chartered local county accounts. This person will be required to navigate and manage high level human resource conflicts where staff, volunteers, and youth may be involved. They work under the general supervision of the Vice President for Engagement and Extension who they may consult with if questions arise.

The primary office location for this position is at the Colorado State University Campus in Fort Collins, CO. While this position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement, the individual is expected to maintain a balance establishing a presence in the primary office, to effectively carry out the duties of the position. The work schedule will vary, and occasional nights and weekends will be required including traveling to and participating in meetings, professional development, events, and periodic activities requiring overnight stays. This person will independently manage their time.

Faculty rank will be determined by candidate’s academic credentials and professional experience ( Faculty Rank Supplemental PDF (1).pdf).

For full consideration, all materials must be RECEIVED no later than 11:59 PM Mountain Time on Monday, September 4, 2023. Please submit the following to apply:

All applicants will be contacted approximately 15 working days after the deadline regarding their status. Next steps and interview dates will be shared to those moving forward. Four professional references will be requested of applicants that advance in the interview process.

For questions regarding the application process, contact the Office of Equal Opportunity at (970) 491-5836 or email [email protected]. For questions regarding the job vacancy, responsibilities, and salary, please contact Eric McPhail at [email protected] or Katie Dunker at [email protected].