Senior or Principal Agent & Assistant Director of 4-H Youth Development

Assistant Director and Program Leader for 4-H Youth Development

The University of Maryland Extension (UME) seeks applicants for the Assistant Director and Program Leader position for 4-H Youth Development. This is an administrative position in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (AGNR), a leading Land-Grant institution providing teaching, research, and extension to all Marylanders and beyond. This position provides statewide leadership to advance the Maryland 4-H Youth Development Program across Maryland. The incumbent reports to the UME Associate Dean/Associate Director and is a member of the Senior Leadership Team, focusing on the mission and goals of 4-H Youth Development programs while ensuring that 4-H priorities align with those of UME and AGNR.

Nationally, 4-H is the largest youth development organization in the United States. Maryland 4-H Youth Development helps youth reach their fullest potential through community-focused, research-based, experiential educational programs. Maryland 4-H is offered through 23 county and Baltimore City Extension offices, focusing on 1) Food Availability for the Future, 2) Youth Health and Well-being, 3) Career Readiness and Academic Pathways, and 4) Technology Competencies.

This position provides leadership and direction for UME 4-H Youth Development programs and sets the strategic direction in collaboration with faculty, staff, volunteers, youth, and stakeholders. Duties include identifying issues and opportunities aligned with organizational priorities, and collaborating with faculty and partners to develop, implement, and evaluate educational programs that meet the statewide needs of youth, residents, agencies, organizations, industries, and communities in these areas. Major responsibilities include:

• Leadership and oversight of non-formal 4-H Youth Development programs and applied research projects in alignment with 4-H Program goals and priorities.
• Provide leadership, guidance, and coaching for faculty, including planning, implementing, and evaluating research-based, community-focused youth development programs.
• Provide leadership to faculty in long-range planning, writing, reporting, professional development, and grant management.
• Secure funding and support faculty in acquiring and managing extramural funds for enhancing 4-H programs from diverse funding sources.
• Provide leadership in developing and maintaining effective teamwork among state and county/city faculty, staff, volunteers, and stakeholders.
• Mentor faculty to set clear expectations for Extension programming, scholarship, and service, and offer support for success.
• Recruit, mentor, and evaluate 4-H faculty, including the review of Individual Extension Plans and performance evaluations.
• Personnel supervision and evaluation of Maryland 4-H state staff, including Maryland 4-H Foundation and Maryland 4-H Environmental Education & Camping Center staff.
• Provide annual reports for various reporting requirements, including federal reporting on Extension programs and their impacts.
• Work collaboratively with UME Programs (i.e., Agriculture and Food Systems, Environment and Natural Resources-Sea Grant, Family and Consumer Sciences), departments, and colleges to develop partnerships and interdisciplinary programs.
• Oversee statewide 4-H program evaluation and impact assessments and processes to demonstrate outcomes and ensure improvements.
• Serve as an active and collaborative member of the UME senior leadership team, with a diverse portfolio of duties as assigned, including contributions to leadership meetings, strategic planning, programming, and training.
• Provide vision and leadership to create an environment that welcomes all young people, with particular attention to expanding enrollment across the state and communities.
• Provide fiscal oversight and management of the 4-H operations and programming budget, including the 4-H Environmental and Camping Center.
• Supervise MD 4-H Foundation staff who manage all grants funded by the National 4-H Council cooperatively with the Maryland 4-H Foundation Board of Directors.
• Provide oversight of statewide policies, procedures, and risk management efforts to ensure the safety of youth while in the university's custody and control.

Required Qualifications:

• Candidates must have earned a doctorate (Ph.D. or Ed.D.) and must be able to be tenured in a department as a Professor/Associate Professor or tenured in Extension as a Principal/Senior Agent rank upon appointment. At least one graduate degree, preferably a doctorate, must be in youth development, human development, education, or a closely related field.
• Significant leadership experience in a large youth development organization.
• Demonstrated understanding of the Land Grant mission and 4-H Youth Development.
• Evidence of excellence in leadership, teamwork, collaboration, and human resources management skills in a decentralized organization or system.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to advocate for the 4-H program effectively, engage diverse audiences, and build working relationships.
• Demonstrated ability to motivate, lead, and supervise faculty and staff both programmatically and administratively.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective partnerships and working relationships with internal and external stakeholders and diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated ability in budget administration and accountability of resources, including extramural funding.
• Personal transportation and a valid driver's license are required. The ability to travel statewide and nationally as needed is an expectation for this position.
• This position is subject to a Criminal History Record Check. Employment is contingent upon the successful completion and clearance of the Criminal History Record Check.

Preferred Qualification:

• Direct experience with 4-H Youth Development programs or the land-grant university system.
• Applied research records recognized within a field of specialization, such as youth development, education, or a closely related field.
• Understanding or experience within food, agriculture, natural resources systems, or STEM.

Physical Demands of the Position:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully.

• This position frequently presents information through verbal and written communication to individuals of various ages, socio-economic, and educational backgrounds.
• The employee will frequently lift and/or move items weighing up to 20 pounds. Set up and teardown of research machinery, project displays, tables, and chairs will be necessary at many teaching sites.
• This position requires the employee to work outdoors, participating in field events, delivering programs, and teaching at events. This may occur during very hot and/or inclement weather.
• Visual acuity is required for preparing and analyzing written or computer data and presentations.

Licenses/ Certifications: N/A