Associate Extension Agent, 4-H Youth Development - Fauquier County

Job Description

Steeped in equestrian tradition, and surrounded by wineries and vineyards, today Fauquier County is known for being at the heart of hunt and wine country. Famous for its horse farms and beautiful rolling land at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Fauquier offers contrast as both a natural haven and gateway to bustling Northern Virginia and the D.C. Metropolitan Area. The 4-H Youth Development position will manage a very diverse program serving both urban and rural youth. The program has in-school and after school programs, community clubs, and a camping program. The position will recruit, train, and manage a large volunteer base, supervise and direct the youth livestock educator position and direct an after-school focused Agent position. Strong people skills and management skills are required. Extension Agents are professional educators who provide leadership to the local 4-H program and manages its day-to-day operation. 4-H is a community of young people learning leadership, citizenship, and life skills. The mission of 4-H is to develop youth, and adults working with those youth, to realize their full potential and become effective, contributing citizens. This is achieved through the development and delivery of research based, non-formal, hands-on educational experiences. Responsibilities: Develops and delivers objective, research based educational programs to meet the needs of diverse audiences, specifies program goals and objectives, and identifies resources needed; provides leadership for 4-H Youth Development programs that meet the needs of all youth; identifies, recruits, trains, supports, and manages volunteers to implement and carry out the 4-H educational programming in the unit; determines unit program needs by monitoring trends and issues, and conducting unit assessments involving the unit Extension Leadership Council (ELC) and other leadership committees; networks and builds coalitions with other agencies, organizations and institutions to address the complex youth and family issues and the needs of the 4-H program; coordinates day-to-day activities and events associated with the unit 4-H program including 4-H delivery (community 4-H clubs, project 4-H clubs, school enrichment 4-H, afterschool 4-H, special interest 4-H, and 4-H camping). Extension Agents recognize the importance of diversity and inclusion in the development and delivery of Extension programs, actively working to diversify program participation, and are responsible for VCE's civil rights policies and compliance with affirmative action.

Required Qualifications

Must have a minimum of a Bachelor's Degree (BA or BS) in a relevant discipline from an accredited college or university. A master's degree and promotion to Extension Agent are required no later than the sixth year of employment. Knowledge and experience in planning, conducting, and evaluating Extension or non-formal education programs; understanding and ability to conduct community needs assessment to determine program priorities; knowledge of child and human development needed. Excellent communication skills; basic knowledge of educational technologies and their appropriate use in the development and delivery of educational programs; program marketing skills; knowledge and willingness to involve and manage volunteers in program development and delivery. Extension Agents demonstrate flexibility, adaptability; a team-oriented mindset, yet are able to work independently, and possess a strong desire to help clients succeed. The person in the position is expected to travel to provide in-person leadership and to build community partnerships with few exceptions for telework.

Virginia Tech is unable to sponsor applicants for work visas for this vacancy.

Preferred Qualifications

A master's degree is preferred.

Appointment Type

Regular

Salary Information

Commensurate with Experience

Review Date

March 9, 2023

Additional Information

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

Must have a driver's license check.

Must have an acceptable and safe driving record.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36, 000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges , a school of medicine , a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School , and Honors College . The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including the Innovation Campus in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous Extension offices and research centers . A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact John Thompson at jthomp75@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.