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

Primary Purpose of Position

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 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 & 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 varied 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: 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 as such 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. NC State 4-H agents that have reached the level of Associate Agent, hold the rank of Field Faculty. 4-H offers programming to youth 5 - 18 years of age in STEM, Civic Engagement, Camping, Public Speaking, Clubs, and much more.

Orange County is located in the Research Triangle Region of North Carolina in the North Central Extension District. For more information about Orange County, visit the County website at https://www.orangecountync.gov/ and the Cooperative Extension website at orange.ces.ncsu.edu.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Extension 4-H agent will be located in Orange 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.

Departmental Required Skills

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited university in a field related to child or youth development or in a related field with work experience in Extension or working/teaching in varied communities, with an understanding that a Master's degree will be pursued.
• Ability to work independently without direct supervision.
• Ability to work and interact with, and have respect for, broad populations.
• Ability to manage time, as well as program, financial, and human resources.
• Computer literacy (proficiency in MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Office, as well as Google Workspace tools).
• 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 developing and/or managing community gardens for youth programming.
• Experience planning programs and working in varied communities, including in urban.
• 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.

Necessary Licenses or Certifications

Possession of a valid North Carolina driver's license