Extension Agent, 4-H Youth Development/Burleigh County

Position Information

Position Description & Details:

The Extension Agent will work collaboratively with a team of Extension and research professionals and volunteers to provide innovative leadership for the Burleigh County Extension 4-H youth development program. The primary duty is to teach and evaluate educational programs with a measurable impact on enhancing the life skills of youth, adults and volunteers. Supervision is provided by the Extension District Director serving Burleigh County.

This is a full-time position planning and delivering educational programs in Burleigh County and when appropriate, programming cooperatively in neighboring counties. This position is based in the Burleigh County office of NDSU Extension, which is located in Bismarck, ND.

Responsibilities:

This position includes, but is not limited to, the following responsibilities:

Educate

• Teach, deliver and evaluate programs in 4-H youth development. Successful Extension programs will require you to:
  • Conduct needs assessment and issues identification that result in programs based on the needs of county citizens.
  • Interpret and integrate pertinent research information into educational programs.
  • Develop expertise in a subject matter competency area, and to plan, implement and deliver educational programs on a county and/or communities-of-interest basis.
  • Evaluate and market the impact of the educational programs delivered.
  • Cultivate a strong relationship with and use multiple media outlets and resources.
  • Develop, conduct and evaluate 4-H youth development experiences using the club and camping delivery methods in partnership with community organizations.
• Provide community and leadership development education related to the 4-H youth development program.
• Participate in professional development experiences offered by NDSU Extension and other entities, as appropriate.
• Serve as support for youth horticultural programming in cooperation with ANR agent.
• Cultivate a strong relationship with and use multiple media outlets and resources to market programs and impacts.
• Develop and implement volunteer recruitment and provide training and management systems. This would include working with the 4-H council, 4-H adult volunteers, master gardeners and other groups.

Collaborate and Facilitate

• Cooperate and collaborate with local, county and state agencies, organizations and businesses to enhance 4-H youth development programming opportunities.
• Utilize stakeholder input to formulate program plans to address issues that affect people throughout their life span.
• Be an effective relationship-builder with community members, program partners, office team and local decision makers (commissioners, legislators, State Board of Agricultural Research and Education members, etc.)
• Collaborate with local office team to ensure high quality 4-H youth development programming and a safe, supportive environment for youth and volunteers.
• Collaborate with NDSU professionals to develop interdisciplinary programs, some of which will be delivered on a community-of-interest or program team basis.

Other

• Ensure compliance with equal opportunity policies.
• Be an active learner to keep relevant with new teaching strategies, advances in the professional field, technology, news and with related research.
• Be self-directed with minimal supervision in the work environment.
• Some weekend and evening work is required.
• Travel within the county and district and occasional travel outside the district is required.
• Overnight trips will also be required on occasion for meetings, 4-H/youth development activities, and professional development. ?
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of Extension programming.
• Fulfill all duties and expectations if assigned by county coordinator.

Behavioral Expectations include:

• Work ethically, with integrity, and respect confidentiality.
• Contribute to a healthy environment of cooperative, supportive and positive working relationships with co-workers and clientele.
• Resolve differences constructively by using tact and courtesy.
• Use effective time management and prioritization skills with multiple demands on time and resources.
• Be prepared and prompt in attendance for work and meetings and be fully engaged.
• Exhibit a positive attitude, image and personal motivation. Be a professional at all times.
• Commitment to professional development.

Work Schedule:

Monday - Friday

8:00 - 5:00

Some evenings and weekend work is required

Advertised Salary:

Commensurate with education and experience

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in education, communication, youth development or related discipline appropriate to the position required by date of hire with the academic capacity to successfully enroll in a relevant graduate program in the future.
• The ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, partners, and stakeholders.
• Basic computer skills and ability to use Microsoft office programs such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to use technology for communication, information finding, program delivery, and reporting.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with individuals, groups and through mass media.
• Ability to conduct oneself professionally, be self-directed in the work environment and work flexible and extended hours.
• Familiarity with various ethnic and socioeconomic audiences, interest and ability to work with people of diverse backgrounds, and a commitment to the principles of diversity.
• Valid driver's license.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in discipline appropriate to the position description.
• Extension experience in 4-H youth development or applicable professional experience.
• Volunteer recruitment and management experience.
• Teaching experience in a formal or informal setting.
• Ability to design, promote, implement and evaluate educational programs.
• Leadership skills as demonstrated by roles in college, career and/or community activities.
• Experience with problem solving, conflict management and/or relationship building.
• Public relations experience with mass media (TV, Internet, radio, newspapers).

Applicant Materials Required:

Cover Letter including how you meet any or all minimum and preferred qualifications

Resume

Unofficial Transcript

Screening will begin 8/13/21

Benefits:

NDSU offers a comprehensive benefits package with includes single or family health insurance coverage with premiums paid for by the university - with an effective date for new employees the first of the month following date of hire. Other benefits include, wellness benefits, basic life insurance, retirement plan, tuition waiver, annual leave, EAP, sick leave and holiday pay. Optional benefits include supplemental life, dental, vision, long-term care insurance, flexible spending account, and supplemental retirement plans.

Land Acknowledgement

We collectively acknowledge that we gather at NDSU, a land grant institution, on the traditional lands of the Oceti Sakowin (Dakota, Lakota, Nakoda) and Anishinaabe Peoples in addition to many diverse Indigenous Peoples still connected to these lands. We honor with gratitude Mother Earth and the Indigenous Peoples who have walked with her throughout generations. We will continue to learn how to live in unity with Mother Earth and build strong, mutually beneficial, trusting relationships with Indigenous Peoples of our region.

About Us

North Dakota State University is distinctive as a student focused, land-grant, research university. Our main campus is located in Fargo, ND with Extension Service and Research Experiment Station locations across the entire state. NDSU has been listed in the Top 100 public research universities in the United States for research and development in agricultural sciences, psychology and social sciences, based on reported research expenditures.

NDSU is an exciting place to work offering a stimulating and diverse environment richly populated with people pursuing life-long learning and personal growth. Employees often attend on-campus cultural events, lectures, athletic events and enjoy walks through our beautiful campus.

NDSU employs over 6000 full-time and part-time employees across the state, making it the second largest employer in the community. NDSU is the best college in ND, according to Money Magazine (September 2018). NDSU was named a 2019 Best Value College by Forbes. Fargo made Livability.com's top 10 list of cities to find a job and ranked at #11 for best places to live overall.

NDSU offers a wide array of professional opportunities including faculty, executive, managerial, professional, technical, paraprofessional, office support, servers and crafts/trades. Like a small city, NDSU operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Full time employees are offered a superb benefit package to include 100% company paid health insurance premiums and tuition assistance for employees and immediate family members. All of us at NDSU play an important role in serving our students and public constituencies. We encourage motivated and talented team members that thrive in a higher-ed environment to join our university!

Mission

We provide transformational education, create knowledge through innovative research, and share knowledge through community engagement that meets the needs of North Dakota and the world.

Additional Information

No Smoking Notice:

As an employer, the State of North Dakota prohibits smoking in all places of state employment in accordance with N.D.C.C. § 23-12-10.

EO/AA Statement:

North Dakota State University is an Equal Opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, gender expression/identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, participation in lawful off-campus activity, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, public assistance status, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, spousal relationship to current employee, or veteran status, as applicable.

Veteran's Preference Notice:

This position is subject to North Dakota Veteran's Preference requirements.