TITLE: 4-H Youth Development Extension Area Agent (Boone, Kenton, and Campbell Counties)

DEPARTMENT: Cooperative Extension Program

REPORTS TO: 4-H Program Leader

CLASSIFICATION: Staff-12 months

EFFECTIVE DATE: TBD

STANDARD WORK HOURS: 37.5 hours per week

EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Full-Time

EMPLOYMENT CLASSIFICATION: Exempt

JOB SUMMARY:

Extension agents are community-based professionals of Kentucky State University who are effective by connecting community needs with university resources. The 4-H Extension Agent will develop, conduct, and deliver educational programs based on locally identified needs, leading to improved quality of life for children and underserved youth. This role is particularly committed to serving the underserved, underrepresented, and minority populations, being intentional about creating relationships and partnerships within various communities, especially in areas traditionally lacking a 4-H presence.

The 4-H Extension Agent is a professional educator who provides leadership to the local 4-H program and manages its day-to-day operation. 4-H is a community of young people learning leadership, citizenship, and life skills. The mission of 4-H 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, firsthand educational experiences. The 4-H Agent will work closely with the 4-H Program Leader for all programmatic efforts.

The 4-H Agent is a member of the county operations team and is supervised by the 4-H Program Leader. This position will serve all clientele, ensuring an equal opportunity to participate in programs regardless of race, gender, age, color, sex, religion, disability, or national origin.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive plan of work for Boone, Kenton, and Campbell Counties based on locally identified needs. Implement educational programs that address critical issues and emerging needs in various program areas using diverse educational strategies and materials.
• Identify, recruit, train, and manage volunteers to extend the reach of 4-H educational programming. Build effective coalitions with local agencies, organizations, and institutions to solve community problems and multiply the impact of programs.
• Conduct educational programs that cover financial well-being, food safety, leadership, life skills, small farm development, and health.
• Develop and implement evaluation strategies for significant program activities. Collect, analyze, and report data through the Kentucky Extension Reporting System, and communicate impacts to stakeholders, the public, and university administration.
• Engage in continuous professional development to maintain and enhance expertise. Comply with civil rights and EEO requirements in program delivery. Ensure all programming efforts are collaborative and well-coordinated within the county and district teams.
• Prepare detailed reports and program summaries demonstrating the results and impacts of programming efforts. Maintain effective communication with all levels of staff within extension to facilitate comprehensive program delivery.
• Supervise and conduct performance reviews for support staff/ volunteers. Maintain essential administrative records, including files, mailing lists, and membership rolls of Extension-related organizations.
• Actively support KSU signature programs such as the Summer Transportation Institute and Ag Discovery. Responsibilities include participant and volunteer recruitment, direct involvement in program facilitation, and program promotion. Conduct thorough program evaluations and report outcomes to stakeholders, administrators, and funders to demonstrate program efficacy and secure ongoing support.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Knowledge and experience in planning, conducting, and evaluating participatory Extension or non-formal education programs. Experience working with diverse populations.
• Excellent team-building skills.
• Excellent conflict resolution skills.
• Understanding and ability to conduct a community needs assessment to determine program priorities.
• Knowledge of child and human development.
• Knowledge and willingness of adult involvement and working relationships.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Basic knowledge of educational technologies and their appropriate use in the development and delivery of educational programs.
• Program marketing skills.
• Knowledge and willingness to involve and manage participants in delivery.
• Maintain a personal commitment to working with diverse clientele and colleagues, and a willingness to further the civil rights goals of KSU Cooperative Extension.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

OTHER DUTIES:

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in education, Agriculture, Environmental Science, Family and Consumer Science, Human Nutrition, or a related field required.
• Master’s Degree in a related area strongly preferred.

Experience:

• Minimum 2-3 years of experience working with marginalized communities.
• Minimum 1 year of experience creating culturally diverse programming.
• Three to five years of experience in youth program development.

Licensing and Certifications:

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL EFFORT:

• Must be able to lift large boxes up to 40 lbs.
• Must be able to travel (25%).
• Must be able to work evenings and weekends, especially during the summer (35%).
• A valid driver license and a personal vehicle for official duty travel are required. Mileage will be reimbursed at a rate established by the university.

Internal Candidates are Encouraged to Apply

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States. At this time, Kentucky State University is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa

KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY is an Equal Opportunity Employer

The functions, qualifications, knowledge/skills, and physical requirements listed in this job description represent the essential duties of the job, which the incumbent must be able to perform either with or without reasonable accommodation. The Job Functions listed do not necessarily include all activities that the individual may perform.