"Evaluation Specialist, Extension Department of Youth Development"

About the Job

Working Title: Evaluation Specialist, Extension Department of Youth Development

Appointment: Full-time, Rsch Pro 6 - Program Eval (9792PV), P&A

Salary Range: $80,000 - $96,000; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Extension Area: Department of Youth Development

Location: St. Paul campus; Hybrid work options may be available

Supervisor: Associate Dean and Department Head, Youth Development

Initial Deadline: September 28, 2025

About the Position

This is a full-time academic professional position. The Evaluation Specialist is responsible for leading the design, development and implementation of a comprehensive evaluation plan for the Minnesota 4-H Youth Development program, Youth Worker training, and initiatives/special projects within the University of Minnesota Extension Department of Youth Development. The Specialist sets an evaluation agenda for the Department in collaboration with the Associate Dean, and works with colleagues to ensure alignment of the evaluation practices to maximize the public value of Extension programs while also contributing to the field of youth development. The Specialist works directly with the Associate Dean and other leads to proactively contribute to the strategic direction of the Department with data-driven information and trends. This position also aligns the Youth Development departmental evaluation portfolio with the Extension portfolio.

This Evaluation Specialist reports directly to the Associate Dean. Performance will be evaluated annually based on the position responsibilities and specific work plan for the year, using Extension performance appraisal procedures. The position will involve some travel which may include overnights and weekends.

Responsibilities:

Departmental Evaluation Responsibilities (50%)

• Provides leadership in all phases of the evaluation process, including the design, development and implementation of an integrated Youth Development evaluation plan that documents youth program outcomes, adult education outcomes, and a data collection and reporting system in collaboration with the Associate Dean.
• Collaborates with academic technologist, operations leaders and other staff on information architecture and solves problems related to data collection and reporting.
• Works collaboratively with Department staff members to develop a results-oriented culture; strengthens the internal staff capacity to access and use performance data, research and other knowledge for learning and continuous improvement of the Department’s priorities (both within and across teams and regions).
• Guides the Department in honing the use of data in its strategic planning, including tracking and documenting the relationship between the Department’s targets and desired outcomes and the data that are tracked at other levels within and across the Department.
• Provides leadership to the federal reporting process and other accountability processes of Youth Development as directed by the Associate Dean.
• Leverages resources by securing grants and partnerships to further the Department’s evaluation and research portfolio. Manage budgets.
• Serves on the Department leadership team and represents the Department in Extension evaluation.
• Models a cohesive, reflective practice of Extension scholarship and applied research by making significant contributions to Extension, the field of youth development and the profession of program evaluation.
• May supervise and/or direct the work of undergraduate/graduate students and other staff members contributing to departmental evaluation efforts.

Program/Team Evaluation Responsibilities (35%)

• Designs evaluation plans, collects and analyzes data using qualitative and quantitative evaluation methods and produces evaluative reports.
• Guides staff in developing evaluative tools, analyzing and interpreting data, and reporting; maintains dashboards and creates reports; builds internal capacity through training, coaching and consulting.
• Lead project teams carrying out evaluation efforts. Contributes to and identifies opportunities to communicate the outcomes, impacts and value of UMN Extension Department of Youth Development.
• Translates evaluation and monitoring results into content for presentations, publications, usable graphics, fact sheets, and other materials to be used for communication, reporting, and educational purposes by staff, leadership in public and academic forums.

Extension-wide Evaluation Responsibilities (10%)

• Develop college-wide comprehensive and systematic approaches, measurements and learning related to evaluation.
• Work across Extension to engage and collaborate, on a regular basis, with other departmental evaluators on organizational projects.

Professional Development and Other Duties (5%)

• Builds evaluation competence through continuing education and involvement in professional/academic associations.
• Perform other duties as required or directed.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree is required in evaluation, measurement, youth development, family social science, education, psychology or related fields at the time of application.
• Two years of post-Master’s degree related research or evaluation experience.
• Demonstrated commitment to inclusion, belonging and accessibility.
• Extensive research publications in peer-reviewed journals.
• Experience independently designing, developing and implementing an evaluation plan.
• Demonstrated use of data for continuous program, operations or systems improvement.
• Experience analyzing data for use in strategic planning.
• Demonstrated success in developing and distributing reports or other tools to communicate evaluation findings.
• Demonstrated use of multiple methods to collect data.
• Mastery with data collection and analysis tools (e.g., Qualtrics, SPSS).
• Demonstrated expertise in written communication.
• Strong oral communication skills.

Additional Requirements:

• Valid driver's license and own means of transportation with required liability insurance in order to travel to regional offices and other locations; may transport other people or supplies.
• Must be able to travel in which may include some overnights and work that may require evenings and/or weekends. Mileage and sustenance reimbursement provided according to University policies.
• Must be able to work regularly at a dedicated/assigned Extension office and must have reliable internet if/when working outside of the office.
• When not in the assigned office location must be reachable with a number that will be published in the Extension staff directory.
• Ability to work on a computer for prolonged periods of time.
• Ability to maintain a flexible work schedule, including occasional evening or weekend work.
• This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Doctoral degree in research or evaluation methods, youth development, family social science, education, psychology or related fields.
• Demonstrated success in grant development and budget management.
• Experience increasing evaluation skills in staff.
• Demonstrated ability leading teams and providing work direction.
• Demonstrated ability to design and implement research studies.
• Demonstrated collaborations to further evaluation and research agendas.

About the Department

About Extension and Youth Development

University of Minnesota Extension is a major outreach arm of the University of Minnesota with a mission to serve the public through applied research and education. Our mission is to make a difference by connecting community needs and University resources to address critical issues in Minnesota. Extension strives to attract and retain high-quality, passionate employees, and weave diversity, equity and inclusion into all aspects of Extension’s programming and employee engagement. Find further information on the Extension website.

As one of four departments, the Extension Department for Youth Development has a long history of positive youth development education. Within the Department, the 4-H Youth Development program is the largest non-formal youth program in the state. In addition to delivering the 4-H program, the Department conducts research on positive youth development; provides training, education and tools for youth workers and leaders; and provides financial support for youth development programs through the University of Minnesota Foundation.

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: $80,000 - $96,000; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment Category: 100% Appointment

Position Type: P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

How To Apply

Please note: This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click on the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position. Please include the following attachments with your online application:

• Cover letter
• Resume/Vitae

Contact information for three professional references and college transcripts (unofficial transcripts are acceptable) will be required during the interview process.

Please note: This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship.

Additional documents may be attached after the application by accessing your “My Job Applications” page and uploading documents in the “My Cover Letters and Attachments” section. See full application instructions.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please email employ@umn.edu or call 612-624-UOHR (8647).

For questions about this position, contact: Rebecca Harrington, Director of Operations & Systems, Youth Development, willi107@umn.edu.