Extension Educator H Youth Development, Traverse County; Wheaton, MN

Extension Educator - 4-H Youth Development

Job code: Assistant Extension Educator-Youth Development (9621YD) or Associate Extension Educator-Youth Development (9622YD), Academic Professional (P&A)

Appointment: 100% FTE (40 hours/week); this is a salaried, not hourly, position.

Office location: Traverse County Extension Office (City of Wheaton);
This is an in-person position.

Salary range: $59,000-$68,000 (9621YD); $68,000-$75,000 (9622YD). Salary ranges listed are based on 100% time position. The salary determination will be made at the time of offer and is dependent on education, qualifications, and experience.

Anticipated start date: November 2 - November 30, 2026

Apply by: September 13, 2026

The 4-H Extension Educator position is a community-based academic professional of the University of Minnesota Extension. This position links University of Minnesota research and Minnesota residents by creating learning opportunities that address local needs.

This 4-H Extension Educator position will primarily work with adults to lead, manage and steward the full range of 4-H Youth Development programming in the county. As a Traverse County 4-H Extension educator, you will work collaboratively with youth, families, volunteers, community partners, and University faculty/staff to reach two overarching program goals:
1) Youth will learn by developing a passion in their areas of interest;
2) Youth will lead by being innovators and social change agents. 4-H Extension educators lead quality programs that result in growth, retention, and impact while ensuring potential and current participants have full access to programs, services, and facilities.

The Traverse County 4-H Extension Educator will work at the Traverse County Extension Office (City of Wheaton). This position also works in various educational settings in communities within the respective county, including outdoors (e.g., camps, fairs). Must be able to travel several times per week within the county and regionally/statewide multiple times per year.

This is a 1.0 FTE P&A salaried position. The position requires flexibility to fulfill assigned responsibilities, including work during day, evening, and weekend hours as needed. A specific work schedule will be determined with the supervisor.

Job Duties include, but are not limited to, and change as determined by the supervisor:

• Engage youth, volunteers, and partners to create a program plan that reflects the demographics of the county/tribal community, addresses local needs and opportunities, aligns with the strategic direction of the MN 4-H Youth Development program and leads to program growth and sustainability.
• Design, develop, deliver, and implement high quality, culturally-relevant, impactful programs that support youth in learning and leading.
• Develop/adapt lesson plans and teach/facilitate youth and adult learning using relevant content and instructional best practices (pedagogy/andragogy).
• Plan and manage the delivery of 4-H clubs, camps, after school programs, showcase and fair opportunities, and other events and activities.
• Identify and implement strategies to diversify program participation, ensuring programs and processes are welcoming, accessible, and inclusive of youth, volunteers, and staff with varying backgrounds and experience.
• Successfully collaborate, partner with and build strong working relationships with supervisor and Program Leaders, other Extension educators, peers, department team members, county partners and stakeholders; mainly in person but at times virtually.
• Develop and support community partnerships that extend program reach and expand program impact.
• Establish and maintain an effective staffing plan including partners, volunteers, interns, and short-term employees.
• Use established evaluation tools and processes to inform future program design, improve effectiveness, demonstrate value, and market the program.
• Other related duties as assigned

• Establish and support a volunteer development system that builds the capacity and long-term sustainability of the 4-H program.
• Meet and collaborate with volunteers, volunteer leaders and others to enrich and grow relationships and volunteer roles in 4-H.
• Identify needs and opportunities for volunteers to serve in management and delivery roles, and recruit and place individuals in these roles.
• Cultivate relationships with and build capacity of volunteers through a support system consisting of effective orientation, training, utilization, recognition, and evaluation.
• Ensure the volunteer screening process is implemented and followed at all times; alert or report any concerns or variances from processes.
• Acknowledge and address problems that arise with volunteers and volunteer roles.

• Manage and monitor compliance with organizational policies and procedures, including youth safety, risk management, and…