"Extension Agent, 4-H (Assistant, Associate, or Full)"

Primary Purpose of Position

The 4-H Extension Agent is an employee 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 supports 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 the 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 Cooperative Extension is the educational outreach arm of the North Carolina State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, in collaboration with NC A&T State University. The two Land-Grant institutions provide research-based information, programming and technical assistance to all North Carolina citizens, addressing a range of issues in four programmatic areas - Agriculture and Natural Resources; Family and Consumer Sciences; Community and Rural Development, and 4-H Youth Development. Together, with its partners: U.S. Department of Agriculture, state and county governments, Cooperative Extension is able to bring a wide variety of resources to all 100 North Carolina counties and the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians. North Carolina 4-H is North Carolina Cooperative Extension's youth development arm and it is the largest professional youth development organization in North Carolina, serving more than 250,000 youth annually. Nationally, 4-H impacts more than six-million youth across all 50 states and in more than 50 countries. Four-H offers programming to youth 5 - 18 years of age in STEM, Civic Engagement, Camping, Public Speaking, Clubs, and much more.

Perquimans County, located in northeastern North Carolina, is a rural and agriculture-rich community with approximately 13,000 residents and a strong commitment to youth development. Centered around the historic town of Hertford, the county offers a small-town, family-oriented atmosphere with abundant natural resources, waterfront recreation, and a highly engaged community. Agriculture forms the backbone of the local economy, with extensive corn, soybean, wheat, cotton, and livestock production that provides excellent opportunities for hands-on 4-H programming in ag literacy, livestock projects, and STEM education. Perquimans County Schools-consisting of Perquimans Central School (K-2), Hertford Grammar School (3-5), Perquimans Middle School (6-8), and Perquimans High School (9-12)-are strong partners of Extension and actively support 4-H enrichment such as in-school STEM, leadership development, 4-H Embryology, nutrition programming, and community clubs. The county's supportive volunteers, strong family networks, and tradition of cultivating future leaders create a welcoming environment for a 4-H professional. Located just minutes from Elizabeth City and within an hour of the Hampton Roads region, Perquimans offers the benefits of rural living with convenient access to larger urban centers, making it an ideal setting for impactful and innovative 4-H youth development work.

To learn more about the NCCE Perquimans County Center go to https://perquimans.ces.ncsu.edu/

For more information on Perquimans County, you may visit their website at https://www.perquimanscountync.gov/

Duties and Responsibilities

The Extension 4-H agent will be located in Perquimans County and will be responsible for directing and growing a comprehensive 4-H professional youth development program, meeting the relevant needs of all 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. The Extension 4-H agent shall:

• Develop, implement, and evaluate a community based 4-H program which teaches life skills via a mix of methods including project, special interest, afterschool and/or community clubs and project groups, including 4-H in-school programs (clubs and school enrichment).
• Plan, promote and attend 4-H residential and 4-H summer day camps and events throughout the county that provide opportunity for development of life skills and self-esteem.
• Provide opportunities for youth to be actively involved in events and programs outside the county on the district, state, and/or national level.
• Recruit, develop and train youth and adult volunteers representative of the county population to assist with the implementation of the 4-H program, ensuring that all Client Protection guidelines are implemented.
• Demonstrate open, collaborative and efficient communication with all Extension personnel, especially 4-H Rural Life Center staff.
• Manage a county-wide 4-H advisory council that will help identify programmatic needs, support programmatic efforts and champion 4-H in the local community to consist of 4-H alumni, volunteer leaders, 4-H youth, and county leaders that represent the metrics of the county.
• Raise funds in support of youth participation in local, district, state and national events and activities. Fundraising in support of volunteer development and management is also expected.
• Develop a marketing/recruiting program that attracts youth and volunteers from all sectors of the county, to drive inclusivity and desired programmatic impact.
• Be responsible for program administration: maintaining accurate records, assuring that the program is in compliance with local, state and national regulations - to include but not be limited to the NC State University Programming with Minors regulations, general financial management and county 4-H club accounts, charters, as well as USDA-NIFA and IRS compliance

Departmental Required Skills

A Bachelor's degree in child or youth development, family and consumer sciences, or a related discipline is required.
Also required: a personal automobile; computer literacy; strong oral and written communication skills; the ability to plan, implement, market, and evaluate educational programs; willingness to work as a team member and support a total Extension program; and the ability to handle multiple demands and set priorities. Personal Attributes: Successful performance of the duties encompassed in the County Extension Agent's job requires that the individual possess habits of industry, a sense of responsibility, and a genuine appreciation for the worth of the individual. The employee must be adept in both oral and written communication. The County Extension Agent is eligible to become a member of the non-tenure track/special faculty at North Carolina State University. The County Extension Agent has primary responsibility for planning, executing, and evaluating that phase of county Extension programs within assigned areas of program responsibility. The County Extension Agent cooperates with colleagues in the 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 the North Carolina Cooperative Extension.

Preferred Experience, Skills, Training/Education

The applicant must be self-directed and possess a strong work ethic.
Volunteer recruitment and development experience and program development skills will be necessary.
A related Master's degree is preferred.
Experience in grant writing and management preferred.

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

117712 - Northeast District - Perquiman

Location

Hertford, NC