Extension Agent II, 4-H Afterschool Director (New Castle County)

Pay Grade: 30E

Context of the Job:

This grant-funded position is a part of a multi-disciplinary team of professionals based at the New Castle County Extension Office within the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. The extension agent will provide primary leadership in the development, implementation and the evaluation of a comprehensive 4-H afterschool program in New Castle County and serve as a member of the statewide 4-H youth development team.

Cooperative Extension is an informal, educational, and nationwide network that combines the expertise and resources of federal, state and local governments to improve people’s lives. For over a century, the University of Delaware Cooperative Extension has made a difference in the First State by providing quality educational programming to individuals and communities, based on university research and aimed at meeting the expressed needs of our constituents. The outreach arm of the USDA and the American land grant university system, Cooperative Extension takes programming to the people that includes food safety; nutrition; diet and health; water quality; 4-H and youth development; sustainable agriculture; horticulture, natural resources and environmental management; leadership and volunteer development; and personal safety on the road, in the home, on the farm, and much more.

This position reports to the County Director of the New Castle County Extension Office

Major Responsibilities:

• Coordinate, plan, implement and evaluate 4-H afterschool programs at Kirk Middle and Shue Middle schools in New Castle County which operate both during the school year as well as during the summer. This includes, but is not limited to, planning the curriculum, providing daily supervision of afterschool staff, daily programming, maintaining the budget, ensuring the safety of all youth participants and ensuring the site operates in accordance with the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) guidelines.
• Recruit, train and supervise staff and volunteers at the 4-H afterschool programs.
• Provide an ongoing physical presence at all afterschool sites in order to ensure a quality program is provided to participants. Monitor staff for performance and assist with any issues or situations that occur at these sites.
• Conduct 4-H development training for staff while providing support and evaluation of the program.
• Assist staff in securing a Delaware First Certificate that is required by OCCL.
• Liaison with funding agencies, prepare all reports and required by the respective contracts, and prepare any documents required by the grant funder.
• Develop, prepare and distribute program information and promotional materials through traditional and technological methods via a timely newsletter, county website, written guidelines and press releases; develop a working relationship with the media to market the 4-H afterschool program.
• Implement county and state 4-H programs and grant funded projects at afterschool sites.
• Follow Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity guidelines to ensure equal access to Extension programs. Document these efforts in planning and reporting.
• Responsible for providing county 4-H program data required to assist in completing county, state and national reporting.
• Maintain and improve professional competency through professional development opportunities.
• Responsible for complying with university policies, procedures, and best practices regarding protecting data and following UD data governance rules
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree plus four years of experience in extension teaching, research or related experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ability to recruit, train, manage and support staff to provide a high quality 4-H afterschool program.
• Ability to work with and lead others in issue programming.
• Effective communication, public relations and interpersonal skills.
• Experience in youth development, especially 4-H preferred.
• Ability to plan, develop and evaluate programs.
• Successful record of forming strong working relationships with a wide range of constituencies and diverse communities.
• Knowledge of extension and adult education methods preferred.
• Proficient computer skills to include word processing, web transfer of information, use of equipment and software for presentations; working knowledge of social media (Twitter/Facebook) and Adobe Connect are desired.
• Committed to fostering a workplace culture of belonging, where diversity is celebrated and equity is a core value.
• Demonstrates an understanding and consideration of the differing needs and concerns of individu