Cooperative Extension 4-H Youth Development Advisor for Workforce Development Serving Tulare, Fresno and Kings Counties (AP 22-04)

Job Description

Application Window

Open date: April 23, 2026

Next review date: Tuesday, Jun 2, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Wednesday, Sep 2, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position 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 Workforce Development serving Tulare, Fresno, and Kings counties. The Advisor will develop and deliver a program that will provide all youth meaningful personal development opportunities and prepare them for workforce and career opportunities.

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 Kings County, 680 N. Campus Drive, Ste. A or UCCE Tulare County, 4437-B S. Laspina St., Tulare, CA 93274 if available.

Position Details

The Advisor will implement an innovative extension education and applied research program to address issues related to workforce readiness and career pathway development. Using a positive youth development framework for workforce and career pathway development, this position will create opportunities for youth to participate in agricultural technology, agricultural engineering; STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Agriculture, and Math); animal science; veterinary science; agronomy; and entrepreneurship or business development, with an emphasis on career awareness, skill development, and learning by doing. 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, supporting program quality, coordination, and community engagement.

This position is positively situated to integrate ANR's research and extension education efforts across communities to improve youth workforce readiness across the region. This is an opportunity to develop and deliver relevant program content that leads to meaningful impacts in local communities throughout California, including:

• Identification and implementation of program strategies and community-based approaches that strengthen workforce development opportunities for youth
• Development and evaluation of youth development programs that support workforce readiness and career pathway advancement
• Applying and assessing the 4-H Thriving Model of Positive Youth Development within workforce and career pathway programming in California

There are excellent opportunities for the new advisor to establish extension and research partnerships with a variety of stakeholders and collaborators. The workforce development emphasis creates meaningful opportunities to partner with Workforce Investment Boards, Economic Development Corporation groups, industry stakeholders, and school districts across the region, strengthening alignment, visibility, and long-term program impact. 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 Kings office, CA and have activity in Tulare, 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 (Psychology, Out-of-School-Time Programming, emphasizing Youth Learning theory, Workforce Development, Career Pathway Development, Agricultural Science, Curriculum and Instruction, Social Work, Environmental Systems, Public Administration 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.
Ability to create partnerships with workforce investment boards, economic development groups, industry stakeholders and school districts across the region 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.
Applicants must have unrestricted and permanent work authorization in the United States. 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, without additional sponsorship. Internal ANR applicants with questions may contact Katie Kilbane at klkilbane@ucanr.edu.
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 evidence for success in meeting required academic advancement criteria as per UC Academic Personnel Manuals. Applications 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 workforce readiness and career 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: There is an expectation that advisors evolve and grow across their career and respond to changes in the industry, clientele, and organizational change.
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 prior 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.
Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment
Anti-Discrimination Policy
Affirmative Action

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 Salary scale

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, subject to terms noted in Section 315 of the ANR Policy and Procedure Manual. If the successful candidate is currently a UCCE Specialist with indefinite status, the candidate will be offered the position commensurate with applicable experience and professional qualifications with eligibility to retain such indefinite status.

Benefits: The University of California offers comprehensive benefits, including two days per month paid vacation, one day per month paid sick leave, and paid holidays. This position is eligible for sabbatical leave privileges per the terms of University policy. ANR is part of UC's Family-Friendly Policies. For more information, refer to the UC Benefits website Benefits.

How to Apply

If interested in this position, please visit UC Recruit 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 June 2, 2026 - (open until filled)

Questions?
Contact Kahla Wallace at kahwallace@ucanr.edu

Application Requirements

Document requirements

• Cover Letter (Optional)
• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Statement of Research - Statement of Research and Extension
  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.
• 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.
• References - Please provide 3 references: names, titles and contact information.

Reference requirements

• 3-5 required (contact information only)

3 required; 2 optional (5 total)

Job location
Hanford, CA