4-HYD Extension Agent or Agent in Training - Boone County Extension Office

The WVU Extension Service is seeking a dynamic individual who will implement a comprehensive Extension program in 4-H and Youth Development (4-HYD). This is a county-based faculty position serving Boone County and supporting Extension activity in the region. This twelve-month position carries the academic rank of Service Instructor or Service Assistant Professor, depending on the candidate's level of education. Either of the positions are full time, promotable, non-tenure track appointments.

Major Responsibilities

This position is primarily dedicated to serving the community, state, university, and the broader profession through the delivery and interpretation of vital educational information. Another key aspect of this service involves teaching citizens and empowering them with the knowledge and practical skills necessary to apply this information effectively.

The position is responsible to the 4-HYD Program Director for all programmatic and administrative matters. In addition, this position serves as the County Program Coordinator (CPC) who coordinates the effort to provide the county's citizens with increased access to the programs of West Virginia University and West Virginia University Extension. As a part of our Extension team, the successful candidate will be expected to support programming in other areas of WVU Extension efforts including Family and Community Development and Agriculture and Natural Resources/Master Gardeners. The amount of time spent in specific program areas and/or in program components is determined in concert with the Unit Director, fellow faculty members, and will be based on identified county needs.

Functions and Tasks

• Conduct educational programs in designated program area to help people more effectively interpret and use science-based findings.
  • Assume responsibility for developing and executing a Plan of Work. The Plan of Work will include 4-HYD programming with the possibility to include Family and Community Development as well as Agriculture and Natural Resources programming appropriate for county needs.
  • Involve the Extension Service Committee and community stakeholders in appropriate program advisory committees to analyze the county situation, identify priority problems and develop and implement programs.
  • Use the resources of West Virginia University and the community to effectively implement county programs.
  • Identify, recruit, and develop volunteer leadership to assist with the carrying out the program of work in the county.
  • Develop and use appropriate systems for reporting program accomplishments.
  • Function always as a professional educator.
  • Actively participate with Extension work teams to help focus and develop regional and statewide programs in designated program areas.
  • Faculty members are expected to engage in recruitment, retention and student success activities that promote access, education, training, experiences and career opportunities for young people that will lead to their future enrollment at WVU or other post-secondary institutions.

Service:

• Develop an understanding of the county, the needs of its citizens and Extension's role in meeting those needs.
  • Develop an understanding of the county, the needs of its citizens and Extension's role in meeting those needs. Understand the county situation in terms of social and economic factors.
  • Understand the role of County Extension Service in effecting changes in the county situation.
  • Continuously examine their role as a change agent.
  • Assess the degree to which programs meet the needs of clients, induce positive change, improve performance, or measurably impact priority problems.
  • Participate in professional development activities that increase expertise in the discipline.
  • Demonstrate the ability to apply current knowledge to address specific priority problems.
  • Assess the degree to which new knowledge moves the faculty and learner to decision making and action.
  • Faculty members are expected to engage in recruitment, retention and student success activities that promote access, education, training, experiences and career opportunities for young people that will lead to their future enrollment at WVU or other post-secondary institutions.

Teaching:

• Follow a sound process in developing educational programs in designated areas of responsibility. Extension faculty are practitioners who develop educational programs to meet the needs of non-credit learners. Program development is a process used to assess needs, mobilize resources, and create and organize educational initiatives to address the needs of citizens.
  • Develop, market, deliver, facilitate, and evaluate non-credit educational programming in response to locally identified priority needs in 4-H and Youth Development and other Extension program areas as appropriate.
  • Establish clear objectives and use appropriate subject matter content and learning experiences to reach these objectives.
  • Design and implement a variety of program delivery methods to reach target clientele.
  • Take necessary action to ensure that sufficient groundwork is laid for programs to succeed.
  • Evaluate results, measure impact, and account to appropriate stakeholders for program accomplishments.
  • Use the results of program evaluation to initiate changes in the implementation of the program.
  • Understand the philosophy of Extension and utilize effective methodology in program delivery and evaluation.
  • Understand and convey the philosophy, objectives and policies of WVUES.
  • Assist in determining and obtaining resources needed to implement the Plan of Work.
  • Plan and provide the training needed to equip volunteer leaders to carry out the program.
  • Develop and maintain two-way communications with volunteer leaders.
  • Establish and maintain rapport with personnel of the mass media and arrange for appropriate releases in the program area.
  • Understand and implement the provisions of EEO and ADA.

• For appointment at the Service Assistant Professor rank the applicant must have a master's degree.
• For appointment at the Service Instructor rank the applicant must have a bachelor's degree.
• Candidates with a degree in progress may be considered for this position, but the degree must be conferred by hire date.
• Desirable areas of educational experience include education, youth or child development, Agriculture and Extension education, Organizational Leadership, or closely related field at the graduate or undergraduate level.
• Training and experience in education, youth or child development, Agriculture and Extension education, or Organizational Leadership is highly desired.
• Demonstrated leadership and management skill through collaborations and partnerships with agencies and organizations is necessary.
• Demonstrated leadership and management skills through collaborations and partnerships with agencies and organizations is necessary.
• Documented experience in volunteer management, supervision, resource development, and team leadership is desirable.
• Proficiency in oral and written communication and knowledge and use of computer technology for educational programming and management are required.
• Experience working with advisory committees and/or focus groups.
• Experience working with the media and web-based information delivery methods.

Preferred Experience:

• Successful experience in developing financial support for educational programs including grant writing, fundraising, contracting or cost recovery efforts.
• Experience in promoting, marketing or creating public awareness of program/services among key community decision makers.
• Extension or similar work experience is preferred.

Special Requirements:

• Ability to meet travel demands of position (overnight stays), such as 4-H youth camps, conferences, professional development sessions and training.
• Willingness to work flexible hours, including nights and weekends.
• Ability to lift and carry materials needed to conduct training and perform duties of the position.

Position Assignment:

• The Service Assistant Professor and/or the Service Instructor positions are 12-month, full-time, non-tenure track positions.
• The successful candidate will be evaluated for providing a significant contribution in service and teaching. Accomplishments will be evaluated at least annually and will be judged in the context of these roles.
• The position will provide 4-H and youth development programming in assigned county. They will also be subject matter resource person for regional and statewide programming as needed.
• Salary: The fixed salary is $53,000 at the Service Instructor rank and $59,000 at the Service Assistant Professor rank.

Application Process:

• Applications will be reviewed beginning immediately and the search will remain open until the position is filled.
• If you meet the stated requirements and would like to be considered for the position, ALL of the following information must be submitted using https://careers.wvu.edu/career-opportunities:
  • Cover letter indicating the position that you are applying for and outlining experience and qualifications.
  • Resume or curriculum vitae including dates of employment, supervisor(s) name and contact information.
  • Three (3) references (including address, e-mail and phone) who can reflect on your professional strengths.
  • Transcripts (undergraduate and/or graduate). Degree must be conferred by start of position.

Special Notice: Upon completion of the application, screening and interview process, a candidate will be presented to the County Extension Service Committee for their consideration. Final placement of this position in the county is subject to the approval of the County Extension Service Committee.

About WVU Extension

WVU Extension is part of the National Cooperative Extension System present in every state and territory and is overseen by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). It was created by Congress through the 1914 Smith-Lever Act. It is designed as a collaborative program funded through federal, state, and local match. WVU Extension also includes the Fire Service Extension (c. 1931), the Institute for Labor Studies and Research (c. 1959); the Occupational Health and Safety Extension (c. 1988), and the WVU Center for Community Engagement (c. 2021). Visit WVU Extension Service's website at https://extension.wvu.edu/ for additional information about our programs.

About WVU

West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees.

From the groundbreaking R1 research at our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs at WVU Potomac State in Keyser, and the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley, the contributions of WVU employees resonate across the state, touching lives and shaping futures.

At WVU, you will discover a supportive community that champions work-life balance and fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Our core values - service, curiosity, respect, accountability and appreciation - unite us as Mountaineers.

Join us at West Virginia University, where your work will make a lasting impact. To learn more about WVU, visit wvu.edu.

West Virginia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or Veteran status.