Field Specialist -H Youth Development – Cole

Hiring Department

University of Missouri (MU) Office of Extension and Engagement

University of Missouri Extension 4-H Youth Development Program

Title: Assistant/Associate/Full Extension Professional

Location: Jefferson City, Missouri, primarily serves Cole, Callaway, and Osage counties in the East Central Region, with additional service across the state as needed.

University of Missouri Extension 4-H youth development programs help children and teens become caring, capable, competent, and contributing through a series of progressive experiences over time with caring adults during non-school hours. These programs focus on broader developmental needs rather than single issues, using a human ecological approach.

The Field Specialist in 4-H Youth Development is responsible for planning, implementing, and evaluating positive youth and volunteer development programs.

This is a 12-month, ranked, non-tenure track appointment at the rank of assistant, associate, or full Extension Professional. The working title is Field Specialist in 4-H Youth Development. Workload distribution is 90% Extension Teaching and 10% Traditional Service. The appointment may be renewed annually based on performance, funding, and priorities.

• Implement community-based 4-H PYD programs, in-school and after-school programs, short-term interest (SPIN) clubs, and enrichment activities.
• Use and recommend research-based curriculum and teaching methods.
• Secure a culture of high-quality service for all 4-H members and volunteers.
• Provide leadership to 4-H councils and committees.
• Recruit, develop, and train youth and adults to assist as leaders with implementing the 4-H program.
• Conduct evaluations of the Missouri 4-H programs.
• Ensure that all youth and adults in the county have the opportunity to participate in extension programs.
• Apply for and administer local grants and other funding sources.
• Provide supervision and development to program associate(s).
• Other duties as assigned.

• Educate:
  Design, conduct, and evaluate educational programs; teach research-based information via meetings, courses, technical assistance, volunteer training, media, websites, and other educational methods.
• Create:
  Develop innovative research-informed educational products, services, materials, and scholarly works; obtain and use extramural funding to support creative works; contribute to scholarship through evaluation of programs.
• Connect:
  Engage with learners, stakeholders, volunteers, and communities; foster partnerships and robust connections to the extensive programs offered by the University of Missouri System.

• Engage with stakeholders to identify educational needs and collaborate with partners to meet those needs.
• Create an annual plan of work aligned with local needs and statewide program efforts; provide monthly reports to county extension councils and others; attend at least one county extension council each month.
• Collaborate with campus-based specialists on research projects and deliver findings via demonstrations, field days, courses, workshops, consultations, publications, and other media.
• Effectively work with supervisors and local leaders to complete administrative tasks.
• Demonstrate competency in communication, educational programming, subject matter knowledge, delivery, volunteer management, grant acquisition, teamwork, interpersonal relations, organization knowledge, leadership, and professionalism.
• Offer timely, research-based information during natural disasters or similar events.
• Represent the University of Missouri on boards and committees as assigned.
• Participate in professional development events to improve technical and leadership skills.
• Conduct all activities in compliance with Civil Rights Acts, Title IX, Rehabilitation Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, and affirmative action plans.
• Other duties as assigned to support the mission of MU Extension.

• Regular travel throughout Missouri and occasionally to out-of-state locations; require a valid Missouri driver’s license and vehicle, and wireless telephone/data service for University use.
• Expect to attend events outside of regular business hours as needed.

An earned PhD or master’s degree at time of appointment.

Evaluation criteria include hours of upper-level coursework in child, adolescent, and adult human development; education,…