About the Job
Working Title:
Extension Educator – 4-H Youth Development
Classification: Assistant Extension Educator-Youth Development
(9621YD) or Associate Extension Educator-Youth Development (9622YD); Academic Professional (P&A)
Salary Range:
$59,000-$68,000 (9621YD); $68,000-$75,000 (9622YD), typically for current 9622YD employees only; this is a salaried, not hourly,
position. Salary ranges are based on 100% time position.
Reports To: Program Leader in Youth
Development
Anticipated Start Date: January 5, 2026 – January 26, 2026
Application Deadline:
November 11, 2025
Locations and Appointments:
Lake of the Woods County Extension
Office (City of Baudette) – 75%
Steele County Extension Office (City of Owatonna) – 100%
About the
Position
The 4-H Extension Educator position is a community-based academic professional of the University of
Minnesota Extension. This position links University of Minnesota research and Minnesota residents by creating learning opportunities that
address local needs.
This 4-H Extension Educator position will primarily work with adults to lead, manage and steward the full range
of 4-H Youth Development programming in the county. As a County 4-H Extension educator, you will work collaboratively with 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. 4-H Extension educators lead
quality programs that result in 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 Development, Delivery, and Engagement – 40%
- 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. - Design,
develop, and implement high quality, culturally-relevant, impactful programs that support youth in learning and
leading. - Develop/adapt lesson plans and teach/facilitate youth and adult learning using relevant content and instructional best
practices (pedagogy/andragogy). - Plan and manage the delivery of 4-H clubs, camps, after school programs, showcase and fair
opportunities, and other events and activities. - 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. - Successfully collaborate, partner with and build strong working relationships with other Extension educators, peers,
department team members, county partners and stakeholders. - Develop and support community partnerships that extend program reach and
expand program impact. - Establish and maintain an effective staffing plan including partners, volunteers, interns, and short-term
employees. - Use established evaluation tools and processes to inform future program design, improve effectiveness, demonstrate value,
and market the program. - Other related duties as assigned
Volunteer Systems – 35%
- Establish and
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. - Cultivate
relationships with and build capacity of volunteers through a support system consisting of effective orientation, training, utilization,
recognition, and evaluation. - Ensure the volunteer screening process is implemented and followed at all times; alert or report any
concerns or variances from processes. - Acknowledge and address problems that arise with volunteers and volunteer roles.
Program Operations – 15%
- Manage and monitor compliance with organizational policies and procedures,
including youth safety, risk management, and financial management. - Manage, oversee and document the budget related to the County 4-H
program. This includes expenses, deposits, cash and check handling, asset inventory, accurate record keeping, and financial reports. Follow
strict University, Extension, 4-H and other financial policies, processes and procedures in all aspects of program and county
work. - Ensure that self and partners, participants and volunteers follow all financial procedures related to county and related work;
prepare and communicate when issues or questions arise. - Manage established processes for youth enrollment, volunteer enrollment,
event participation and reporting, club chartering, program agreements, and related. - Recruit, orient, supervise, and support interns
and short-term employees.
Communication and Reporting – 10%
- Develop/adapt and implement an ongoing
year-round communication plan that attracts youth, families, and volunteers from diverse backgrounds and leads to enrollment and
retention. - Collect data and prepare and deliver reports and presentations to share the public value, impacts, and accomplishments of
4-H Youth Development with local stakeholders. - Communicate with peers, teams, county partners and others regarding 4-H Youth
Development and Extension programs, value and mission. - Represent the University of Minnesota, Extension, and the Department of Youth
Development in all work interactions in a positive and collaborative
way.
Qualifications
Required:
- Bachelor’s degree at time of hire in
fields related to but not limited to education, social sciences, family and consumer sciences, sociology, psychology, and agriculture.
Degree must be completed by the start date. - Experience (paid or unpaid) leading, teaching, and/or managing programs for youth,
grades K-12. - Ability to work collaboratively and cohesively with peers, leaders and leadership, stakeholders, volunteers,
participants and others, including those that may have diverse missions, goals, and backgrounds, in order to achieve and follow Extension
goals, objectives and expectations. - Demonstrated ability to document, track and follow financial policies, processes and procedures
(including University, Extension, Department, County and related). - Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks, timelines,
priorities 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 additionally work evenings, overnights, and
weekends for events/programming to meet 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. Reimbursement for travel and subsistence is available in
accordance with University policy. - 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:
- Two (2) or more years of post-bachelor’s degree experience relevant to youth development,
program development, and/or volunteer systems development. - Evidenced knowledge of youth development theory and practice (e.g.,
college coursework, volunteer training) - Experience designing, developing, delivering, and/or evaluating high-quality, culturally
relevant, educational programs. - Experience recruiting, guiding, and/or supervising volunteers, including volunteer boards, and/or
staff. - Demonstrated ability to resolve conflicts.
- Proficient use of technology for communicating, locating information, and
monitoring trends to design, deliver, evaluate, and report programs. - 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 and 4-H
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 https://extension.umn.edu/.
University of Minnesota Extension
Department of Youth Development works in partnership with communities to build engaged young people who are ready to learn and lead in a
global society. Using youth development methods and principles that are based on experiential learning and proven to result in positive
youth development; we foster sustainability and resilience by building community-wide knowledge, capacity, and networks that support the
healthy development of youth. Our audiences include: youth grades K-13 living in urban, suburban, rural, tribal, and online communities;
volunteers, youth workers, and partners who deliver positive youth development programming; and, agencies, organizations, and groups that
affect the lives of youth. To learn more about our programs, please visit https://extension.umn.edu/4-H.
Pay and Benefits
Pay
Range: $59,000-$68,000 (9621YD); $68,000-$75,000 (9622YD), typically for current 9622YD employees only; this is a salaried, not
hourly, position. The salary determination will be made at the time of offer and is dependent on education, qualifications,
and experience. Salary ranges are based on a 100% time position.
Time Appointment: 75% Appointment in Lake of the
Woods County; 100% Appointment in Steele County
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
How To Apply
(Please note: this position is not
eligible for H-1B or Green Card 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 required attachments with your online application:
- Cover letter– include your
county location or rank if you have multiple location preferences. - Resume – include all relevant experience (paid
or volunteer) to the job responsibilities
Three (3) professional references (list references name, work relationship, phone number,
and email) and transcripts for all college work (unofficial transcripts showing degree completion date are acceptable) 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 email [email protected] or call 612-624-UOHR (8647).
For questions about the position, please
contact:
Stephanie Grimes, Hiring Coordinator, Youth Development, [email protected].
For questions about applying online, contact:
Tiffany
McMillan, Extension Human Resources, [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.
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