4-H Program Coordinator

4-H PROGRAM COORDINATOR

University of Illinois Extension in Milan, IL is seeking a full-time 4-H Program Coordinator for Rock Island County. Duties include coordinating 4-H volunteers, organizing clubs, awards, implementing policy and procedures, managing membership database, coordinating programs, organizing the 4-H general projects and livestock shows at the county fair, working with 4-H team members on unit-wide programs, and more. Candidates must have a high school diploma/GED and four years of relevant experience or equivalent college coursework.

Salary: $22/hour plus benefits.

WE TRANSFORM LIVES.

Everything we do is designed to improve the quality of life of the people in the state of Illinois, across the nation, and around the world. We discover, develop, translate, and disseminate knowledge to address societal concerns and train the next generation of experts and leaders in a way that empowers them to expand the boundaries of science to higher levels of understanding and influence.

Be a part of our story. Through learning partnerships that extend knowledge and change lives, University of Illinois Extension provides educational programs aimed at making life better, healthier, safer, and more profitable for individuals and their communities. Illinois Extension has operated continuously for more than 100 years connecting the citizens of Illinois to their land-grant university by providing educational programming around the state. University of Illinois Extension is based in the College of ACES and works with all colleges and units of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Job Summary:

The Extension Program Coordinator, 4-H Youth Development supports the promotion, expansion, and implementation of University of Illinois Extension 4-H Youth Development Programs in the schools and communities.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Program Coordination and Development:

• Coordinate the planning of educational activities for the program with collaboration from the Youth Development Educator
• Identifies critical priority needs and issues, with the assistance of other staff, to be addressed through Extension 4-H youth programs in Rock Island County, including the 4-H community club program, special interest groups, after-school programs, and in-school programs.
• Provide leadership to carry out the 4-H shows including meeting and planning committees, recruiting and orientating show superintendents, public relations tasks, become familiar with the 4-H shows exhibit guidelines, implement livestock weigh-ins, and general overall management
• Conduct evaluation of program activities and make appropriate changes or recommendation for continuation or discontinuation of the program.
• Provide leadership, as primary contact, to volunteers, 4-H members and their families in support of local 4-H clubs and their activities
• Provide leadership for developing and maintaining relationships with agencies to reach underserved audiences.
• Works with Unit staff, Extension volunteers, and Extension clientele to create and/or maintain administrative records including ZSuites and 4-H Fair Entry.
• Disseminate education information provided by Extension professionals.
• Maintain required records and data.
• Provides monthly reports to the County Extension Director.

Volunteer Recruitment, Training, and Development:

• Recruit, screen, and select adult 4-H volunteers.
• Orient volunteers to the philosophy of the 4-H programs, risk management, policies, procedures, and materials.
• Coordinate volunteer trainings related to program offerings and continuing educational opportunities.
• Maintain contact with volunteers on a regular basis through meetings and correspondence, including email and phone.
• Formulate and implement standard operating procedures for all program activities, to ensure the safety and welfare of all volunteers and participants.

Marketing & Networking:

• Develop and implement a marketing plan and objectives to recruit adult volunteers and youth participants for 4-H opportunities.
• Utilize a variety of promotion methods including personal contacts, social media, and printed materials.
• Network and collaborate with other community organizations to assess needs and develop programs to meet those needs.

Organizational Duties:

• Participates in professional development opportunities.
• Attends staff meetings as scheduled, and provides updates to Extension staff and Extension Council on accomplishments and activities.
• Complies with Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity policies and guidelines in all aspects of University of Illinois Extension work.
• Comply with all University of Illinois Extension and USDA policies and procedures in programs and employment.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Additional Physical Demands:

To perform the functions of this position, the employee will be required to perform work both within an office and outside in the communities that are served and must have the capability to travel from one location to the other in a timely fashion. Employee is responsible for securing personal transportation. A valid driver's license is preferred. Some work will be required during evenings and/or weekends. When working, the employee may be exposed to a variety of environmental factors to include, but not limited to, hot or cold weather, exposure to noise and allergens, and uneven ground. In performing the functions of this position, the employee may be subjected to various mental and physical demands as well to include, but not limited to, independently traveling to and performing work at different locations, ability to move, transfer and/or transport items that may occasionally weigh up to forty (40) pounds and frequently weigh up to twenty (20) pounds, and twisting, pushing and pulling movements. More detailed information regarding the functions of this position (including the physical, mental, and environmental requirements of this position) may be obtained from Human Resources for the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES).

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school graduation or GED
• Any one or any combination that equals four (4) years/48 months of responsible volunteer or professional work experience in coordinating educational and/or community programs or activities.
• Volunteer / work experience coordinating educational and/or community programs or activities.
• College coursework in any field of study. (60 semester hours equals two (2) years (24 months); 90 semester hours equals three (3) years (36 months); 120 semester hours or more equals four (4) years (48 months.))

Specialty Factors:

• Demonstrated experience and/or coursework in volunteer management, working with youth audiences, and/or developing youth programming.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Skills in communicating and collaborating with diverse audiences (ethnicity, socioeconomic, ages.)
• Ability to work effectively with others individually and in groups.
• Ability to operate computer systems.
• Attention to detail and prioritize tasks. Ability to multi-task.

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full time Civil Service 0929 - Extension Program Coordinator position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

Applications must be received by 6:00 p.m. (CST) on May 6, 2024.

The University of Illinois conducts criminal background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer. The University of Illinois must also comply with applicable federal export control laws and regulations and, as such, reserves the right to employ restricted party screening procedures for applicants.

Out-of-state candidates must establish Illinois residency within 180 calendar days of the state date for this position. Illinois residency requires proof of a valid Illinois Driver's License or state of Illinois ID Card. Failure to produce the required documentation within 180 calendar days will result in immediate termination of employment.

The University of Illinois is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates.