4-H Youth Development Advisor (AP 24-15)

4-H Youth Development Advisor (AP 24-15)
University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources
Application Window

Open date: May 30, 2025
Next review date: Thursday, Jul 10, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date: Monday, Aug 11, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.
Position description
The University of California division of Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) invites applications for a UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE) 4-H Youth Development Advisor at the Assistant Rank, serving Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo Counties. This position will create opportunities for youth to engage in meaningful civic engagement, youth-adult partnerships, and leadership experiences to enhance their college and career readiness and help youth in achieving their fullest potential. This position will help integrate ANR's research and extension education efforts across communities to improve youth development across the region.
UCCE Advisors are responsible for applied research and extension of knowledge. Research activities are applied, needs-based, mission-oriented, and focused on addressing our communities' challenges. Extension activities are the educational practices Advisors use to share research results directly with clientele and communities to increase their knowledge and understanding of science-based research results to support and promote the adoption of practices and technologies to solve problems. Extension methods may include individual consultations, presentations, organization of educational workshops and short courses, field demonstrations, farm calls, and site visits. Information may also be disseminated via radio outreach, webinars, fact sheets, policy briefs, news blogs, and social media. Publications are expected in various formats, such as newsletters, articles for the popular press, curriculums, conference proceedings, and peer-reviewed publications. Successful research and extension programs result in new information that improves knowledge or understanding and adoption of new skills, practices, changed attitudes, policies, and improved environmental, health, agricultural, economic, and/or social conditions. UCCE Advisors are evaluated through an academic advancement system based on four criteria: extending knowledge, applied research and creative activity, professional competence and activity, and University and public service.
Location Headquarters: This position will be headquartered in the UCCE Office in Ventura or San Luis Obispo County.
Position Details
The 4-H Youth Development Advisor will implement an innovative multi-county extension education and applied research program using a positive youth development framework for enhancing college and career readiness.
California 4-H embarked on a college and career readiness mission, recently publishing new curricula (Pathways to Your Future), chartering a UC ANR workgroup, and publishing new research; however, focused applied research and education is needed in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura Counties to ensure the power and potential of UCCE in supporting college and career pathways is fully utilized in these counties. College and career readiness and workforce development across a variety of fields including agriculture, science and technology, etc. must be improved to help young people advance to and succeed in post-secondary education and compete for jobs in the 21st century. To do this requires improvements in curriculum materials and advancements in the professional development of out-of-school-time educators. The Advisor's work will help provide opportunities for young people to increase their knowledge and improve attitudes about post-secondary educational and career pathways.
This is an exciting opportunity to develop and deliver relevant program content to have meaningful impacts in local communities and throughout California related to:
1) Program factors or community strategies that contribute to Positive Youth Development;
2) Outcomes and impacts of a multifaceted youth development program on positive youth development;
3) Efficacy and relevance of the 4-H Thriving Model of Positive Youth Development in California;
4) Effectiveness of youth as peer educators to initiate community change and identify college and career pathways through youth development programs and learning experiences.
There are excellent opportunities for extension and research partnerships with a variety of stakeholders and collaborators, including local youth development partners, community service organizations, county government, and with youth-serving agencies in formal and non-formal education settings. The advisor joins a team of highly motivated UCCE colleagues who are passionate about their work and are dedicated to making a difference within the communities and throughout California. There is excellent potential for collaborative projects within the UC ANR system.
The Advisor will provide academic oversight to support the county-based 4-H youth development programs which include clubs, after-school programs, camps and other delivery modes. The Advisor will develop applied research projects locally and in partnership with the other ANR academics.
Counties of Responsibility: This position will be headquartered in either the UCCE Ventura or San Luis Obispo offices in CA and have programmatic responsibilities in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Ventura Counties. The position will also provide support to the statewide network of 4-H Youth Development community educators in College and Career Readiness.
Reporting Relationship: The 4-H Youth Development Advisor serves under the administrative and academic guidance of the local Country Director and the 4-H Statewide Program Director. It is not a remote position; the candidate must be available to work onsite at the headquarters location and travel to and be present in other counties with programmatic responsibilities. Specific expectations for maintaining office hours and fieldwork in the geographic area covered by this position will be outlined upon hire by the county director.
Qualifications and Skills Required
Required Qualifications
Education: A minimum of a Master's Degree in youth/child development, human development, psychology, education or a related field is required at time of appointment.
Key Qualifications:

Experience in conducting applied research and/or program evaluation with youth serving programs.

Experience delivering educational, outreach, and/or training programs with youth or adults.

Experience in program and/or personnel management.

Ability and means to travel on a flexible schedule as needed, proof of liability, and property damage insurance on the vehicle used is required. Must possess a valid California Driver's License to drive a County or University Vehicle.

Ability to drive on remote highways including evenings and weekends, and at times in inclement weather conditions.
Additional Skills Required

Applicants need to meet appointment criteria for the respective University of California academic title series and evidence for success in meeting required academic advancement criteria as per UC Academic Personnel Manuals. Applications need to document relevant research, extension, and teaching experience and appropriate scholarly achievements.

Interest in and a desire to pursue a career in UC Cooperative Extension

Technical Competence and Impact: The candidate should understand key concepts related to youth engagement, positive youth development, youth leadership development, or college and career pathways.

Communication: Demonstrated excellence in written, oral, interpersonal and information technology communication skills.

Collaboration, Teamwork and Flexibility: The candidate should demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively as a team member with key external stakeholders and county-based staff, as well as with other colleagues within UC ANR.

Lifelong Learning: There is an expectation that advisors evolve and grow across their career and respond to changes in the industry, clientele, and organizational change.

The ability to work with clientele across a wide range of socio-economic classes and ethnicities.

A background investigation will be required for the successful candidate, including fingerprinting and a criminal history clearance by the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This position is subject to the requirements and compliance of the California's Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA). Employment within UC ANR is contingent upon securing written acknowledgement to comply with California law.
Desired Experience

Ability to effectively engage with partner organizations to develop strong community relationships to support 4-H programs.

Ability to communicate well with regional audiences including local elected officials, K-12 school representatives, agricultural organizations, and natural resources agencies.

Experience working with adult volunteers involved with youth programs.

Demonstrated ability to effectively plan applied research or evaluation projects, manage teams and set measurable goals and objectives.

Experience planning, implementing, and evaluating programs that achieve youth development outcomes.
About UCANR
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