"4-H Youth Development Advisor (AP 22-04)"

Job Description

Position Overview

The University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) invites applications for a UC Cooperative Extension 4-H Youth Development Advisor for Leadership and Community Engagement serving Tulare, Fresno, and Kings counties. The Advisor will develop and deliver a program that will provide all youth meaningful personal development opportunities. The Advisor is expected to develop an extension and applied research program framed in positive youth development, emphasizing leadership and community engagement education, and curricula to promote program growth and expanded opportunities for youth participation.

UCCE Advisors are responsible for applied research and extension of knowledge. Research activities are applied, needs-based, mission-oriented, and focused on addressing our communities' challenges. Extension activities are the educational practices Advisors use to share research results directly with clientele and communities. Increased knowledge and understanding of science-based research helps to support and promote the adoption of practices and technologies that solve problems. Extension methods may include individual consultations, presentations, organization of educational workshops and short courses, field demonstrations, and farm and site visits. Information may also be disseminated via radio outreach, webinars, fact sheets, policy briefs, news blogs, and social media. Publications are expected in various formats, such as newsletters, articles for the popular press, curriculums, conference proceedings, and peer-reviewed publications. Successful research and extension programs result in new information that improves knowledge or understanding and adoption of new skills, practices, changed attitudes, policies, and improved environmental, health, agricultural, economic, and/or social conditions. UCCE Advisors are evaluated through an academic advancement system based on four criteria: extending knowledge, applied research and creative activity, professional competence and activity, and University and public service.

Location Headquarters: UCCE Tulare County, 4437-B S. Laspina St., Tulare, CA 93274

Position Details

The Advisor will implement an innovative extension education and applied research program to address issues related to Youth Leadership and Community Engagement in Tulare, Fresno and Kings counties. Using a positive youth development framework for youth leadership and community engagement, this position will create opportunities for youth to participate in meaningful civic engagement and community-based leadership experiences to prepare them to be effective public leaders. The advisor will provide academic oversight of the 4-H community club program and educational leadership to county based 4-H staff, educators, volunteers, and community members. This position offers the opportunity to address a myriad of issues by creating youth voice and authentic opportunities to solve issues of interest and importance to youth, such as access to built and natural environments, creating welcoming community spaces for youth and environmental justice.

This position is positively situated to integrate ANR's research and extension education efforts across communities to improve youth development across the region.

This is an exciting opportunity to develop and deliver relevant program content to have meaningful impacts in local communities and throughout California related to:

• Program factors or community strategies that contribute to positive youth leadership development.
• Outcomes and impacts of a multifaceted youth development program on positive youth development.
• Efficacy and relevance of the 4-H Thriving Model of Positive Youth Development in California.
• Effectiveness of using youth as peer educators to in initiate community change through youth development programs and learning experiences.

There are excellent opportunities for the new advisor to establish extension and research partnerships with a variety of stakeholders and collaborators, including local youth development partners, community service organizations, county government, and with youth-serving agencies in formal and non-formal education settings. The advisor joins a team of highly motivated UCCE colleagues who are passionate about their work and are dedicated to making a difference within the communities and throughout California. The potential for collaborative projects within the UC ANR system is nearly limitless.

Counties of Responsibility. This position will be headquartered in the UCCE Tulare office, CA and have activity in Fresno and Kings Counties. The position will also provide support to the statewide network of 4-H Youth Development community educators in Youth Leadership, Community Engagement and Development.

Reporting Relationship: The CE Advisor serves under the administrative guidance of the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Area County Director of UCCE Tulare and Kings Counties, and programmatically under the 4-H Statewide Director. This is not a remote position; the candidate must be available to work onsite at the headquarters location and travel to and be present in other counties with programmatic responsibilities. Specific expectations for maintaining office hours and fieldwork in the geographic area covered by this position will be outlined upon hire by the respective directors and supervisors.

Qualifications and Skills Required

Required Qualifications

Education: A minimum of a master's degree in an area related to youth and/or adult education (emphasizing Youth Learning theory, Psychology, Out-of-School-Time Programming, Youth and Community Development, or related areas) is required at the time of appointment.

Key Qualifications

• Experience in conducting applied research, program evaluation, and education programs with youth is required.
• Strong leadership skills and experience in program and personnel management are required.
• Ability and means to travel on a flexible schedule as needed; proof of liability, and property damage insurance on the vehicle used is required. Must possess or obtain a valid California Driver's License to drive a County or University Vehicle.
• Ability to drive on remote highways including evenings and weekends, and at times in inclement weather conditions.
• A background investigation will be required for the successful candidate, including fingerprinting and a criminal history clearance by the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This position is subject to the requirements and compliance of the California's Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA). Employment within UC ANR is contingent upon securing written acknowledgement to comply with California law.
• We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time. Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. at the time of hire.
• This is not a remote position.

Additional Skills Required

• Applicants need to meet appointment criteria for the respective University of California academic title series and demonstrate success in meeting required academic advancement criteria as per the UC Academic Personnel Manuals. They also need to document relevant research, extension, teaching experience, and appropriate scholarly achievements.
• Interest in and a desire to pursue a career in UC Cooperative Extension
• Technical Competence and Impact: The candidate should have a deep understanding of youth development and be able to design and implement a program that leads to positive changes and impact within the community and beyond.
• Substantial experience and sensitivity to cultural differences relative to working with youth and adults.
• The ability to work with clientele across a wide range of socio-economic classes and ethnicities is essential.
• Communication: Demonstrated excellence in written, oral, interpersonal and information technology communication skills. Spanish language proficiency is desired.
• Collaboration, Teamwork and Flexibility: The candidate should demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively as a team member with key external stakeholders and county-based staff, as well as with other colleagues within UC ANR.
• Lifelong Learning: Advisors are expected to evolve and grow throughout their careers and respond to changes in the agricultural industry, clientele, and organizational structure.
• As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer. "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.

Desired Experience

• Experience working with youth from diverse backgrounds is desired.
• Ability to effectively engage with partner organizations to develop strong community relationships to support 4-H YD programs.
• Ability to communicate well with regional audiences including local elected officials, K-12 school representatives, agricultural organizations, and natural resources agencies.
• Experience working with adult volunteers involved with youth programs.
• Ability to secure and manage extramural funding.

Salary & Benefits

Salary: The salary range for this Cooperative Extension Advisor position is Assistant Rank, Step I ($85,600) to Step VI ($108,600). Step placement in the advisor series is based on applicable experience and professional qualifications. For information regarding Cooperative Extension Advisor salary scales, please refer to the University of California website: https://ucanr.edu/sites/default/files/2025-01/406198.pdf If the successful candidate is currently a UCCE Advisor, the candidate will be offered the position without change to the candidate's current rank, step, salary and/or appointment terms; and if applicable, is eligible to retain indefinite status.

This position is eligible for indefinite status following three successful reviews and subject to terms noted in UC ANR Policy and Procedure Manual, Section 315 https://ucanrpolicy.ellucid.com/documents/view/122/active/

Benefits: The University of California offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance, retirement plans, two days per month paid vacation, one day per month paid sick leave, and approximately thirteen paid holidays per year.. For more information, refer to the UC Benefits website at: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html

How to Apply

If interested in this position, please visit: https://recruit.ucanr.edu/ and choose "applicants" (refer to position #22-04). An in-person finalist interview may be required as part of the search process.

Closing Date: To assure full consideration, application packets must be received by January 10, 2026 (open until filled)

Questions?

Contact: Mikyla Perez via mikperez@ucanr.edu

Application Requirements

Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter
• Statement of Research - Please submit a 2-page Statement of Research and Extension Interests including how your current and/or past research and extension experience could contribute to, or be applicable to, the needs of the local community. Provide examples of potential goals and outcomes from your research and extension activities.
• References - Please provide 3 references: names, titles and contact information.
• College Level Transcripts - Electronic transcripts or legible scanned copies (PDF) of original transcripts will be accepted. Transcripts must identify course work completed, grades earned, degrees conferred and confer dates. Please DO NOT send transcripts that are password protected.

Reference requirements

• 3-6 required (contact information only)

Job location

Tulare, CA