4-H Program Manager, Merrimack County

This position is located at Extension’s Merrimack County office in Boscawen, New Hampshire.

The 4-H program manager facilitates the growth of the Merrimack County 4-H program and life-skill development of 4-H youth. This is done primarily through the coordination and mobilization of 110 community- or topic-based 4-H volunteers who recruit, train, support, and guide youth and families through community engagement activities to prepare youth for life and community-ready skills. 4-H, the nation’s largest youth development organization, works in local communities to offer youth online and in-person programming through clubs, collaborative community partnerships, afterschool programs, camps, and other educational activities. N.H. 4-H programs are designed around a pathway model centered on national 4-H mission areas of STEM/agriscience, civic engagement, and healthy living. 4-H pathways engage youth in a sequential learning experience, enabling youth to build mastery of skill and knowledge as well as a sense of belonging to their community and world.

This position will have frequent night and weekend programmatic responsibilities due to the nature of working with volunteers and youth events outside of the school day. There is flexibility in fixed times for hours worked weekly to accommodate community realities in programming.

When determined appropriate with supervisor and Extension administration, this position may serve as the county office administrator (COA) of the Merrimack County Extension office. The COA develops and maintains relationships with county administrators, department heads, commissioners and delegation members, and is responsible for facility and equipment management, office budget management, and supervision of administrative assistants, interns and other part-time or temporary employees. COA job responsibilities usually account for 20% of the employee’s time.

Duties/Responsibilities

Volunteer Development and Support (40%)

• Work alongside 95 existing 4-H volunteers who support and conduct programming in 28 community and topic-based clubs for 300 families, including volunteer management involved in the 4-H responsibilities of the Hopkinton State Fair.

• When needed, recruit, train, guide, and support new 4-H volunteers to support program outcomes

• Ensure risk management

• Ensure the programmatic involvement of various community audiences such that all educational programming is designed and conducted in full accordance with civil rights, Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), Affirmative Action (AA) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) policies and procedures.

​County 4-H Program Pathway Development and Delivery (30%)

• Support, organize, plan, and coordinate county-based activities and events, including 4-H responsibilities at the Hopkinton State Fair.

• Support, organize, plan, and coordinate follow-up experiences for youth and families along 4-H youth development pathways, including being responsive to local participant needs and concerns.

• Collaborate with 4-H field specialists for program pathway development, implementation, and evaluation.

State 4-H Team Pathway Support (10%)

• Serve as a member of a program pathway’s state team to assist with the development, organization, planning, and coordination of statewide events and activities. Pathways include, but are not limited to, STEM/agriscience, civic engagement, and healthy living.

Program Reporting (5%)

• Support programs by tracking enrollment information, coordinating evaluation data collection, completing timely reporting, monitoring 4-H club finances, and analyzing program effectiveness.

Professional Development (5%)

• Identify individual professional development goals in cooperation with supervisor and seek training in subject area expertise and essential skills related to the position, such as group process, volunteer management, facilitation, and organizational skills.

Other Duties as Assigned (10%)

• Perform projects, committee work, and local county Extension office work (e.g., engage with advisory council, engage local legislators/stakeholders, and participate in staff meetings and projects) as needed.

Requirements

Minimum Acceptable Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline, such as education or human services, and at least two years of relevant experience, or a master’s degree in a relevant discipline