Ford County -H Youth Development Extension Agent

About This Role

Extension agents are professional educators, community connectors and innovators who serve as a link between Kansas State University and communities across Kansas. Agents are jointly responsible to the director of KState Extension (represented by a designated administrator) and the local extension board.

• Lead the development, implementation, and evaluation of a comprehensive 4H youth development program for school‑aged youth in cooperation with local community members and extension colleagues. The primary focus of this position is youth development, along with adult volunteer development; youth education program development; membership growth and participation; and community partnership expansion. Programming will include but is not limited to: community club support, out‑of‑school programs, school enrichment, volunteer management, and outreach to create program opportunities with new and existing community partners.
• Share responsibility for community vitality programming that helps our communities become better places to live, work, and play by strengthening social, civic, economic, and technological capacity through leadership development and civic engagement.
• Successful extension programs require agents to:
• Identify local needs and emerging issues related to KState Extension's five critical issues (water and natural resources; community vitality; health; developing tomorrow's leaders; and global food systems) by engaging with program development committees and other community organizations and professionals.
• Design appropriate educational strategies to respond to emerging needs and engage clientele by aligning with the imperatives of the KState Next‑Gen Strategic Plan. Strategies might include educational programming in a community‑based setting; events and activities that provide experiential learning opportunities; use of innovative technologies; individual educational consultations; and group facilitation.
• Collaborate with local partners to meet community and programmatic needs.
• Recruit and manage volunteers to further the reach and impact of extension programming.
• Develop and implement strategies to serve all community audiences.
• Collect and communicate evidence of educational program impact.
• Cultivate expertise in a subject matter competency area by engaging as a member of the Youth Development Program Focus Team.
• Pursue internal and external funding to support educational programming.
• Serve as a member of the Ford County team, cooperating in the planning and delivery of county‑wide programming and related events.
• May periodically be assigned to serve as the local unit director providing administrative oversight for fiscal operations; coordination of personnel; the development, delivery, and reporting of program impact; and other administrative functions assigned by the director for extension's representative and the extension board.

K‑State Extension connects Kansans to research‑based information and education that helps individuals, families, businesses and communities thrive. It is a partnership between Kansas State University and federal, state, and county governments. Through local extension offices, K‑State Extension provides practical solutions and programs in areas such as agriculture, health, youth development, and community vitality. Learn more at extension.k-state.edu.

Extension agents are Kansas State University faculty working throughout the state to serve the needs of local communities.

4H provides school‑aged youth with community, mentors, and learning opportunities to develop the skills they need to create positive change in their lives and communities. It is a research‑based experience that helps kids and teens thrive through connection, learning, service and leadership opportunities. Adult volunteers, managed by their local 4H youth development extension agent(s), share their passions, skills and talents to empower youth to reach their full potential.

Learn more about Kansas 4H .

Ford County is in southwest Kansas. It includes the communities of Dodge City, Bucklin, Ford, Spearville and Wright. The county is home to approximately…