4-H Program Associate, Olmsted County (# 370458)

Job ID: 370458

About the Job

Working Title: 4-H Program Associate,
Olmsted County

Classification: Education Professional 2-Education Program Development & Implementation (Job
Code 8312PD), Civil Service

Appointment: Part-time, 50% FTE (20 hours/week). Most work to be completed
during standard work hours (Monday-Friday days); some evening and weekend requirements.

Pay range:
$25.00-$28.75 an hour; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Reports To:
Program Leader in Youth Development

Office location: Olmsted County Extension Office, Rochester, MN

Apply By: October 19, 2025

About the Position

This 4-H
Program Associate is a community-based position in University of Minnesota Extension. The position is a link between the land grant
University research and Minnesota residents by creating learning opportunities that address local needs.

This position works in
partnership and in collaboration with a full-time P&A level Extension Educator to support the county and works with adults to lead, manage
and steward 4-H Youth Development programs and program operations and volunteer systems. This role will work collaboratively with the
county’s Extension educator, youth, families, volunteers, community partners, and University faculty/staff to reach two overarching program
goals: 1) Youth will learn by developing a passion in their areas of interest; 2) Youth will lead by being innovators and social change
agents. This role ensures program quality, growth, retention, and impact while ensuring potential and current participants have full
access to programs, services, and facilities.

Job Duties include but are not limited to and change as determined by the
supervisor:

Program Leadership and Engagement – 40%

• Collaborate with 4-H Extension educator(s) to engage youth, volunteers, and partners to create a program plan that
  reflects the demographics of the county/tribal community, addresses local needs and opportunities, aligns with the strategic direction of
  the MN 4-H Youth Development program and leads to program growth and sustainability.
• Create and implement high-quality, culturally
  relevant, impactful programs that support youth in learning and leading.
• Convene and facilitate planning meetings with youth,
  volunteers, and partners.
• Develop/adapt lesson plans and train/facilitate youth and adult learning using relevant content and
  instructional best practices (pedagogy/andragogy).
• Plan and manage the delivery of after-school programs, camps, fair
  opportunities, and other events and activities.
• Plan and manage 4-H experiences during the county fair, providing opportunities for
  recruitment, education, and public recognition.
• Identify and implement strategies to diversify program participation, ensuring
  programs and processes are welcoming, accessible, and inclusive of youth, volunteers, and staff with varying backgrounds and experience.
• Build relationships with community partnerships that extend program reach and expand program impact.
• May recruit,
  supervise, and support short-term and part-time 4-H staff, interns, and volunteers as needed.
• Use established evaluation tools and
  processes to inform future program design, improve effectiveness, demonstrate value, and market the program.

Volunteer
Systems – 35%

• Support a volunteer development system that builds the capacity and long-term sustainability of the 4-H
  program.
• Identify needs and opportunities for volunteers to serve in management and delivery roles, and recruit and place
  individuals in these roles.
• Ensure volunteers are appropriately screened for their role.
• Manage the volunteer system
  (e.g., identify, select, train, utilize, recognize, evaluate volunteers).
• Address problems that arise with volunteer or partner
  roles.

Program Operations –10%

• Follow all fiscal
  policies, including reporting for tax purposes. Generate and manage revenue to enhance educational programming.
• Apply risk
  management procedures to youth programs.
• Manage established processes for youth enrollment, volunteer enrollment, event
  participation and reporting, and program agreements.
• Manage use of facilities and equipment, including completion of required
  inventories and agreements.

Marketing, Recruitment, Evaluation & Reporting –
15%

• Develop and maintain respectful working relationships with youth,
  families, volunteers, colleagues, community partners, and other stakeholders.
• Communicate 4-H program opportunities to members,
  families, volunteers, and partners using email, social media, direct mail, etc.
• Promote and market the 4-H youth development
  program. Distribute marketing materials provided for regional, state, and national 4-H educational programs and events.
• Write
  content for various media sources (e.g., newspapers, radio, newsletters, web, social media) to promote programs, report on programs, and
  educate the public.
• Collect data and work with the Extension Educator to prepare and deliver reports and presentations to share the
  public value, impacts, and accomplishments of 4-H Youth Development with local stakeholders.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree and two (2)
  years of experience in a direct youth development role (as a member, volunteer, leader, paid staff member, or some combination) OR education
  and related experience to equal six (6) years.
• Experience effectively interacting with people from various cultural backgrounds,
  including race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, socioeconomic status, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, and other aspects
  of human diversity.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks, timelines, and schedules while maintaining high quality of work
  and working with minimal supervision.
• Evidenced ability to effectively communicate in English using oral and written communication
  methods (e.g., business correspondence, publications, presentations, web, and social media).

Additional
requirements/Working Conditions:

• Work within an office as well as in various educational settings, including
  outdoors (e.g., camps, fairs).
• Will be required to work during standard work hours (Monday-Friday day hours); additionally, will be
  expected to work some evenings, overnights, and weekends for events/programming to meet the responsibilities of the position.
• Valid
  driver’s license and own means of transportation with required liability insurance. Mileage reimbursement provided.
• This position
  often works in the community. Must be able to travel several times per week and regionally/statewide multiple times per year.
• When
  not in the assigned office location, employees must be reachable with a mobile number at the employee’s own expense. That number will be
  published in the Extension staff directory.
• Ability to bend, reach, twist, and lift or carry 10 pounds frequently and 30 pounds
  occasionally.
• Must be able to stand for 90 minutes at a time and sit for 90 minutes at a time. Some days will require hours of
  standing or sitting.
• This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship.

Preferred:

• Degree in education, sociology, youth development, or related field.
• Experience creating high-quality,
  culturally relevant, educational programs.
• Experience recruiting, guiding, and/or supervising volunteers, including volunteer
  boards, and/or staff.
• Demonstrated ability to resolve conflicts.
• Evidenced ability to work cooperatively with community
  partners or local governments to address educational needs.
• Experience teaching youth and/or adults in a non-formal setting.
• Experience organizing and managing events and activities.
• Experience planning and applying relevant organizational
  policies, procedures and regulations (e.g., creating safe environments, financial practices).

About the
Department

About Extension

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.

Pay and
Benefits

Pay Range: $25.00-$28.75/hour; depending on
education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment Category: 50%

Position Type:
Civil-Service

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
• 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

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 attach the
following required application materials:

• Cover letter
• Resume –
  Your resume must include all your education and experience as it relates to the required
  qualifications. The initial HR screening process focuses primarily on the resume.

Names and contact information for three
professional references will be required during the interview process.

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 e-mail [email protected] or call (612) 624-UOHR (8647).

For questions about this position
contact:

Kristen Hurley, Program Leader, Youth Development, [email protected].

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the
employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining
employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its
programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status,
disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about
diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Employment
Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is
that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.