Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development

Job Description Summary

Organization's Summary Statement:
University of Maryland Extension (UME) is seeking an Extension Educator responsible for organizing, developing, implementing and evaluating educational programs for youth, families and communities. The Educator would work with volunteers and youth development agencies to provide experiential learning opportunities for youth, leading to the development of life skills for youth. The educator is also responsible for developing an active, ongoing recruitment campaign to involve new volunteers and youth. As a tenure-track faculty member, the Educator will be responsible for providing leadership to develop focused youth development programs in cooperation with colleagues across the county and Lower Shore Maryland cluster. The faculty member will be on track for tenure and promotion to a higher rank in accordance with University policy and UME tenure guidelines within a timeframe defined.

This position reports directly to the Maryland 4-H Program Leader.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Develop, implement and evaluate a county focused 4-H youth development program in cooperation with colleagues in the programmatic cluster.
• Facilitate research-based methods to increase knowledge, leadership, and life skills in alignment with the UME Strategic Plan and 4-H Program Priorities.
• Coordinate and deliver experiential learning programs for a wide range of disciplines in areas aligning with the 4-H national priorities around science, health and civic engagement.
• Educate youth and adult volunteers on subject matter concepts such as animal science, environmental science, healthy living, STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), and
leadership.
• Manage and expand the county’s 4-H club and Out of School Time programs and capacity.
• Conduct needs assessments, outreach and marketing to reach broad audiences with foundational elements.
• Provide leadership, coordination and support for the UME adult volunteer management system, including recruitment, onboarding, training, supervision and recognition of youth and adult volunteers.
• Cultivate good working relationships with community collaborators and partners to benefit youth.
Promote positive public relations with stakeholders and the community.
• Increase resources through grants, local funding sources, collaborative and other funding proposals to support and expand 4-H youth development programs.
• Supervise full and part time staff dedicated to supporting the 4-H Youth Development Program.
• Coordinate programmatic direction in concert with non-tenured faculty position(s) and staff.
• Perform teaching, scholarship and service requirements of a faculty member of the University of Maryland. This is a tenure track position requiring documented accomplishments in the areas of
research, teaching, and service.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
• Nature of the Position: This position frequently presents information through vocal and written communication to individuals of various ages, socio-economic, and educational backgrounds.
• Physical Demands: A routine part of this position's responsibilities would be to transport materials to and from teaching/event locations, including loading and unloading the vehicle. The employee will frequently lift and/or move items weighing up to 20 pounds. Set-up and tear-down of displays, tables, and chairs would be necessary at many teaching sites.
• Environmental: Team driven, office environment of professional character, competence, and collaboration. Deadline driven in terms of program planning and reporting. This position requires the employee to work outdoors at certain times of the year, especially during the time of annual fair, 4-H residential or day camps and youth recreation activities. This may occur during very hot and/or inclement weather.
• Visual Acuity: Visual acuity is required for preparing and analyzing written or computer data and presentations.

QUALIFICATIONS:
Minimum –
• Master’s degree is required.
• Experience working with broad youth groups and volunteers.
• Demonstrated teaching and leadership ability.
• Demonstrate successful community partnerships in support of youth
• Good communication and computer skills.
• Must be willing to work flexible hours, with some evenings and weekends, and to travel within assigned county, administrative cluster, and state.
• Personal transportation and valid driver’s license.
• This position is subject to a Criminal History Record Check. Employment is contingent upon successful completion and clearance of the Criminal History Record Check.


Preferences:
• Preferred education emphasis is in youth or child development, education, life science or related field or a similar degree emphasis in undergraduate work.
• Ph.D. preferred
• Experience in volunteer development, youth development, program management, and grant writing and management.
• Knowledge of the educational program development process and utilization of logic models to work toward meaningful outcomes while addressing youth focused issues.
• Experience with the 4-H youth development program.
• Experience in distance and virtual education strategies.
• Demonstrated success in building collaborative relationships and community-based partnerships
• Successful engagement with limited resource and underserved audiences.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Candidate must be eligible to work in the United States at the time of hiring. The department will not provide sponsorship for work-visa requirements.

Licenses/ Certifications: N/A

Additional Job Details

Required Application Materials: All candidates must apply online. A complete application packet includes a letter of application, current resume or CV, unofficial transcripts, and three (3) references including name, mailing address, telephone number, and e-mail address.

Best Consideration Date: 10/9/2025

Posting Close Date: N/A

Open Until Filled: Yes

Financial Disclosure Required

No

For more information on Financial Disclosure, please visit Maryland's State Ethics Commission website.

Department

AGNR-UME-Wicomico

Worker Sub-Type

Faculty Regular

Salary Range

Benefits Summary

For more information on Regular Faculty benefits, select this link.

Background Checks

Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information reported by the background check will not automatically disqualify anyone from employment. Before any adverse decision, the finalist will have an opportunity to provide information to the University regarding disclosable background check information. The University reserves the right to rescind the offer of employment or otherwise decline or terminate employment if the information reported by the background check is deemed incompatible with the position, regardless of when the background check is completed.

Employment Eligibility

The successful candidate must complete employment eligibility verification (on Form I-9) by presenting documents that establish identity and work authorization within the timeframe required by federal immigration law, and where applicable, to demonstrate renewed employment authorization.  Failure to complete employment eligibility verification or reverification within the timeframe set forth by law may result in suspension or termination of employment.

Eeo Statement

The University of Maryland, College Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment. Please read the University’s Equal Employment Opportunity Statement of Policy.

Title Ix Non-Discrimination Notice

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