Cooperative Extension - University of Wisconsin-Extension 249 Extension Building, 432 North Lake Street, Madison, Wisconsin 53706 Phone (608) 263-1945 - FAX (608) 262-9462 - TDD (800) 947-3529

Human Resources Development

Working Title:  4-H Youth Development Specialist4-H Youth Development Specialist (100%)

Official Title:  Faculty (rank to be determined)

Geographic Areas Served:  Statewide, including District Liaison duties in the Central and Southern Districts of Wisconsin

Office Location:  Lowell Center, 610 Langdon Street, Madison, WI 53703

Type of Appointment:

This is a probationary tenure-track faculty appointment within the University of Wisconsin-Extension for applicants not currently tenured in the University of Wisconsin-Extension Department of Youth Development.  If the successful candidate is currently tenured in the Department of Youth Development, he or she will retain current faculty rank.  During the probationary period, faculty members may receive renewed probationary appointments.  At the end of the period, faculty members may be promoted to the ranks of tenured faculty.  Standards of excellence and scholarship are expected to be met throughout a faculty member's career.   

Position Purpose: 

As a faculty member of the University of Wisconsin-Extension, the 4-H Youth Development Specialist is responsible for providing statewide leadership for 4-H programming targeting grades K-3 and 4-H Afterschool programming; serving as a district liaison providing coaching and support to 4-H Youth Development personnel in all aspects of 4-H Youth Development programming within identified districts; coordinating Healthy Living programming and developing collaborative programming relationships.  Backed by University research, the Specialist incorporates pertinent findings from the social, human and behavioral sciences into educational programs to support the positive development of youth.  The Specialist works closely with county Extension faculty and staff and 4-H volunteers in supporting local programs related to 4-H Youth Development. 

Primary Duties/Essential Job Functions:

• Provide educational leadership by planning, implementing and evaluating culturally competent educational programs directed at issues relating to the purpose of the position
• Provide statewide leadership for 4-H youth development programming targeting grades K-3 and 4-H Afterschool programming
• Serve as District 4-H Youth Development Liaison to the Central and Southern Districts which involves providing coaching and support in all aspects of 4-H Youth Development programming within these districts, including:
• Counsel with county-based faculty and staff regarding program development, implementation and evaluation
• Provide orientation for newly employed county-based 4-H Youth Development faculty and staff through individual office visits and 4-H Youth Development orientation sessions; team with other liaisons in conducting the regularly scheduled Fundamentals for 4-H Youth Development Program orientation sessions, periodically represent 4-H Youth Development at the Cooperative Extension New Colleague orientation sessions
• Represent 4-H Youth Development in the state level aspect of the hiring process, including development of position descriptions and preliminary interviews
• Work in cooperation with District Director and Human Resources for staff hiring, orientation, and support
• Provide constructive feedback to faculty and staff on plans of work and reports
• Provide feedback to county-based 4-H Youth Development faculty and staff, county department heads, and District Directors on county personnel performance as requested
• Advise county-based faculty and staff on Civil Rights compliance
• Assist county and state 4-H Youth Development personnel in problem solving
• Assist county-based faculty and staff in designing professional development plans
• Serve as state coordinator for Healthy Living programming and serve as Wisconsin's Healthy Living liaison to National 4-H Headquarters
• Develop new sources of funding to support the growth of Healthy Living, 4-H Afterschool and K-3 grade targeted initiatives in Wisconsin
• Develop collaborative programming relationships with Extension Family Living personnel to build and strengthen healthy living programming for youth
• Regularly teach and deliver 4-H Youth Development educational programs through a wide variety of teaching methods at sites throughout Wisconsin
• Use appropriate means to critically review and integrate related research into community-based educational programs
• Regularly prepare educational materials, program evaluations and reports using appropriate technology
• Plan and implement appropriate impact evaluations and reports to improve and document program effectiveness
• Participate in district, state and county programming as appropriate
• Write, publish and share articles, curricula and program designs that contribute to program understanding and support the scholarly practices of relevant professions and academic disciplines
• Communicate Extension's value by developing effective relationships and providing relevant program outcome information to public officials, legislators, the general public and other interested parties
• Build and strengthen coalitions and partnerships with a diverse network of agencies, organizations, groups and individuals to address statewide needs through educational programming
• Make all reasonable effort to reach a diverse audience, to ensure access to programs and facilities, and to provide services that do not discriminate on the basis of age, race, creed, color, disability, sex/gender, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, religion, marital status, identity as a veteran, disabled veteran, Vietnam veteran or any other military service, arrest record or non-program related conviction record.

Other Position Expectations and Responsibilities:

• Develop and use an appropriate system for reporting and evaluating programs to the University of Wisconsin-Extension and to clients, colleagues and other Extension collaborators as needed
• Develop plans of work based on ongoing assessment of statewide needs
• Develop and follow a personal plan for professional development in the area of youth development and outreach education methodology consistent with personal and organizational goals
• Build and maintain trust-based relationships in support of cooperative and respectful work environments
• Be responsive to evolving position and organizational needs; perform additional duties, as needed

Working Conditions:

• Make individual arrangements for transportation adequate to meet position responsibilities
• Assume frequent travel throughout the state
• Be available to periodically work evenings and weekends, as needed to meet programming needs

Key Relationships:

The Specialist is supervised by the State Program Director, 4-H Youth Development.  The position is accountable to the State Program Director on all matters related to employment.  The Specialist works as a part of the State 4-H Youth Development team.

Academic Relationships:

This is a faculty position in the UW-Extension Academic Department of Youth Development and, subject to faculty regulations, is appointed to the University of Wisconsin System rank and tenure track.  A tenured appointment must be obtained by the end of the sixth year of full-time employment to retain the position, in accordance with UW-Extension faculty policies and procedures. 

Qualifications:

To be considered eligible for this position, you must meet all of the following minimum qualifications:

• Master's or other graduate degree in a related field in Youth Development, Human Development, Education or related Social Science
• Content knowledge in the professional field of youth development
• Demonstrated skill in educational programming, including planning, implementing, teaching, and evaluating programs
• Knowledge and skills to effectively interact with people from different cultural backgrounds, including those associated with race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, socioeconomic status, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, and other aspects of human diversity

Additional knowledge, skills and abilities desired:

• Demonstrated success planning, implementing and evaluating learning experiences for youth and/or adults in community-based, non-formal educational settings that reach, and are accessible to, a wide range of diverse audiences
• Ability to communicate ideas effectively orally, in writing and through educational technology
• Professional experience with 4-H Youth Development, volunteer management, educational program development, personnel coaching, family development and/or elementary education
• Strong group and educational facilitation skills
• Skillful in establishing and maintaining professional work relationships and networks; demonstrated success in effectively working with teams
• Skillful in the use of educational software and instructional technologies
• Experience developing partnerships with local governments and community-based organizations
• Skillful in building community-based community coalitions for the purpose of taking positive action
• Scholarship experience; demonstrated ability to critically review and utilize research findings
• Ability to write grants and establish partnerships that pool and/or leverage public and private funds in support of Extension's mission
• Ability to promote Cooperative Extension and its programs through mass media and public relations
• Demonstrated understanding of Extension's mission; knowledge of land grant colleges and universities

Organizational Competencies:  

Individuals who demonstrate increasing capacity in the following organizational competencies, as indicated by the examples listed below, are likely to experience higher levels of success within their Cooperative Extension positions:

• Leadership
  Inspires respect and trust; works to clarify expectations and accepts feedback; shows personal responsibility for finding solutions; follows through on commitments; adapts to change or unexpected events in the work environment; manages competing demands for time while maintaining life-work balance; practices strategic, shared and ethical decision-making; understands how funding decisions are made; works to align one's work with Cooperative Extension's mission, vision and values; coaches others; is willing and motivated to learn
• Relationship-building
  Gives appropriate recognition to others; approaches others in a tactful and diplomatic manner; works to understand group and team dynamics; uses awareness of one's emotions and those of others to adapt behavior and to manage interactions successfully; reacts well under pressure; analyzes conflict situations and chooses appropriate Extension roles; works in ways that support mutually beneficial partnerships; maintains confidentiality; is responsive
• Inclusion
  Demonstrates an active, intentional and ongoing engagement with diversity- in people, curriculums, and communities; recognizes, understands and appreciates the culturally different ways in which others express themselves; treats others with dignity, respect and consideration; works to create work environments that are experienced as safe by all; is curious about and open to others' ideas
• Communication
  Listens and seeks clarification; speaks clearly; uses public relations skills to strengthen others' understanding of Extension's value; writes clearly and informatively; varies writing and speaking style to fit the purpose of the communication; adapts communications to fit cultural contexts and circumstances; demonstrates effective communication technology skills; demonstrates effective presentation skills 

Position Description Clarification:

This position description represents a general outline of job duties, expectations, responsibilities and qualifications.  It is not intended to be comprehensive in nature.  In addition, this position is likely to evolve over time and therefore this position description may not fully reflect the precise nature of the position at a future point in time. 

Position Benefits:

Excellent State of Wisconsin benefits, including retirement, health insurance, vacation, sick leave, and other insurances. 

Equal Opportunity:

As an affirmative action employer, UW-Extension provides equal opportunity in programs and employment; and is strongly committed to maintaining a climate supportive of respect for differences and equality of opportunity. UW-Extension does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, creed, color, disability, sex/gender, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, religion, marital status, arrest record or non-program related conviction record; or identity as a veteran, disabled veteran, Vietnam veteran or any other military service.  We promote excellence through diversity and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. 

Materials will be made available in alternative format upon request.  Please call 711 if you are hearing or sight impaired and need assistance.   Direct inquiries concerning equal opportunity to:  UWEX Workforce Equity and Diversity; Room 501; 432 N. Lake Street; Madison, WI  53706.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE AND DEADLINE:

To receive full consideration, application materials must be received by November 17, 2009 and include all of the following:

• Cover letter (up to two pages) that summarizes how you meet the minimum qualifications of this position.  Please prepare a paragraph for each of the minimum qualifications and include formal education, training, professional work history, volunteer work, research, and any related life experiences in your response.  Please note that your response will be evaluated for content and written communication skills. 
• Professional resume, including related education, professional work history and volunteer experience.
• Contact information for three (3) professional work references, including at least one person who has been your immediate supervisor.  For each reference, please indicate the nature of your professional relationship and include the person's title, e-mail address and telephone number.
• Final college transcripts for each of your degrees. Unofficial copies are acceptable at this point in the process. Official transcripts are required upon hire.
• Applicant Survey Form

Application materials that do not comply with these instructions are incomplete and will not be considered.  Applications will continue to be accepted until the screening process is complete. 

Submit application materials to Cooperative Extension Human Resources at:

   a) ces.jobs@uwex.edu (preferred method); OR

   b) 432 N. Lake Street, Room 249; Madison, WI  53706

Optional Confidentiality Form.  Under Wisconsin Statutes, if asked, UW-Extension is required to provide a list of all nominees and applicants who have not requested in writing that their identities remain confidential.  The identities of all finalists must be released upon request.

Please note that a criminal records review will be conducted prior to employment.  In compliance with the Wisconsin Fair Employment Act, convictions and pending charges will be considered only as they relate to this position. 

POSITION VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
4-H YOUTH DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST (100%)
Posted: 10/16/09
Refer to: PVL# C10015
REVIEW BEGINS: 11/17/09