State Extension Specialist, -H Youth Development

Description of Unit

University of Maryland is a land‑grant institution with a three‑part mission of teaching, research, and outreach. The campus is located in College Park, Maryland. University of Maryland Extension (UME) reaches all parts of Maryland with an office in every county and Baltimore City. Maryland 4‑H is the youth development program of the land grant system. This position will be responsible for the State 4‑H Engineering and Technology program.

The Maryland 4‑H Youth Development Program provides a supportive setting for youth to reach their fullest potential. Children learn beneficial cognitive and life skills through community‑focused, research‑based, experiential educational programs. High quality science, civic engagement, and healthy living programs are delivered through clubs, after school and school programs, camps, fairs and other community partners through county and city‑based Educators and volunteers.

Youth development professionals and volunteers support youth thriving through nurturing sparks, promoting high quality experiences, and cultivating positive relationships within communities.

To learn more about the 4‑H Youth Development Program, visit: (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).-development

UME is seeking an Extension Specialist responsible for organizing, developing, implementing, and evaluating statewide educational programs for youth, families and communities. The rank is parallel to the rank of Assistant Professor. The Educator would work with Extension educators, volunteers and youth development agencies to provide experiential learning opportunities for youth, leading to the development of life skills. As a tenure‑track faculty member, the Educator will be responsible for providing leadership to develop focused youth development programs in cooperation with colleagues across the state.

The faculty member will be on track for tenure and promotion to a higher rank in accordance with University policy and UME tenure guidelines within a time frame defined.

This position reports directly to the Maryland 4‑H Program Leader.

• Support the Extension network by coordination of 4‑H engineering and technology programs, processes, and curricular systems.
• Coordinate statewide engineering and technology program support including incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI) as well as academic pathways and career readiness particularly aligned with contemporary needs of agriculture and food systems.
• Facilitate research‑based methods to increase knowledge, leadership, and life skills in alignment with the UME Strategic Plan and 4‑H Program Priorities.
• Lead experiential learning programs in concert with County Educators and volunteers in the area of engineering and technology in areas aligning with the 4‑H national priorities around science, health and civic engagement.
• Conduct needs assessments, outreach and marketing to reach broad audiences with broad and varying audiences to support UME’s land‑grant mission.
• Secure grants and extramural funding to develop and conduct creative, intellectual activities that are validated by peers and communicated with colleagues. Serve on state, regional and national committees, serve on department, college and university committees.
• Develop collaborations with other campus colleges and Agriculture and Natural Resources (AGNR) departments.
• Provide leadership for committees, professional organizations and special assignments on the state and national level.
• Promote positive public relations with stakeholders and the community.
• Increase resources through grants, local funding sources, collaborative and other funding proposals to support and expand 4‑H youth development programs.
• Supervision may include full and part‑time program administration staff, as appropriate, and as determined by the 4‑H Program Leader in accordance with UME mission requirements.
• Coordinate programmatic direction in concert with faculty and staff.
• Perform teaching, scholarship and service requirements of a faculty member of the University of Maryland. This is a tenure track position requiring documented accomplishments in the areas of…