"Assistant Extension Agent, 4-H"

Primary Purpose of Position

The 4-H Extension Agent is a member of the field faculty of North Carolina State University and a professional educator. The 4-H Extension Agent has primary responsibility for planning, executing, and evaluating effective and comprehensive 4-H programs that will meet the needs of the county population and support the mission of the 4-H organization, which is to develop youth and adults working with those youth to realize their full potential, becoming effective contributing citizens through participation in research-based, non-formal, hands-on educational experiences. The 4-H Extension Agent cooperates with colleagues in North Carolina Cooperative Extension and county leaders in performing assigned responsibilities. The performance of assigned responsibilities is governed by the philosophy, objectives, policies, and procedures of North Carolina Cooperative Extension.

The individual in this position will provide leadership for the total 4-H program and will be responsible for determining programming needs, planning, marketing, implementing and evaluating programs. This position will also be involved in training 4-H volunteers, supporting 4-H clubs, and providing opportunities for school based 4-H programs.

Primary Function of Organizational Unit

NC State Extension is the educational outreach arm of the North Carolina State University College of Agriculture & Life Sciences. NC State Extension provides research- based information, programming and technical assistance to all North Carolina citizens, addressing a wide range of issues in four programmatic areas - Agriculture & Natural Resources; Family & Consumer Sciences; Community and Rural Development, and 4-H Youth Development. Together, with its partners - North Carolina A&T State University Extension, U.S. Department of Agriculture, state and county governments, NC State Extension is able to bring a wide variety of resources to all 100 North Carolina counties and the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians.

For more information about Watauga County, see: https://www.wataugacounty.org/

To learn more about the NC Cooperative Extension Watauga County, go to: https://watauga/ces.ncsu.edu/

Duties and Responsibilities

The Extension 4-H agent will be located in Watauga County and will be responsible for directing and growing a comprehensive 4-H professional youth development program, meeting the relevant needs of youth, ages 5 through 18. These programs will engage youth in positive life-skill development activities to address issues of everyday life, enhance the community and environment where they live, and give them access to high-quality, experiential programming to build life skills.

Departmental Required Skills:

• Ability to work independently without direct supervision.
• Ability to work and interact with and have respect for all participants.
• Ability to manage time, as well as program, financial, and human resources
• Computer literacy (proficiency in MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Office).
• Strong oral and written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to handle multiple demands and set priorities.
• Ability to travel and work after-hours and weekends as needed (may be seasonally extensive).
• Ability to network with community partners and agencies and maintain working relationships.
• Must be able to lift and carry training supplies, publications, and equipment needed for training and youth programs.

Preferred Experience, Skills, Training/Education:

• Master's degree from an accredited university in a field related to child and youth development, education or a combination of education and work that would prepare someone for this role.
• Experience planning programs and working across a wide variety of communities.
• Experience working effectively as a team member.
• Experience and knowledge in mass media, marketing, and presentations.
• Skills in leadership, citizenship, budget management, and public relations.
• Ability to recruit, train, and supervise volunteer leaders to extend youth programming to the broadest audience possible.
• Experience writing grants in support of programs.

Relevant Points to Consider:

This specific position will be continuing to re-establish a 4-H program in a county that was without a 4-H agent for some time. The county seeks a motivated and organized applicant who will embrace the challenges and rewards of creating a county youth program that is still developing. The most immediate interest among community constituents is building opportunities for youth in the areas of agriculture (livestock showing/judging) & trades training.

• 4-H agents often work evening and weekend hours outside of the normal workday. To help manage the personal/professional continuum, managed & flexible scheduling is available
• A key responsibility of this position is managing a broad group of volunteers across the community, many with lots of experience
• The ability to raise funds and manage finances for the overall county 4-H program and to oversee the integrity of all 4-H related accounts in the agent's area of responsibility is important.
• Agents have the opportunity to provide leadership at the district, state and national levels through the North Carolina Association of 4-H Youth Development Professionals and the National Association of 4-H Youth Development Professionals.

Necessary Licenses or Certifications:

Valid driver's license and reliable, personal transportation required. Valid NC driver's license is required within 60 days of hire and must be maintained

Department:

117121 - West District - Watauga

Location:

Boone, NC