Job Title: Director of the 4-H Center for Youth Development and Associate/Full Professor or Extension Professor
Location: Columbia
Full/Part Time: Full-Time
Job ID: 26073
Application Materials Please complete the brief online application and submit the following for consideration:

Cover letterResume/CVCopies of all academic transcripts, anda list of 3-5 references

For questions regarding the online application process contact MUHRS@missouri.edu or call 573.882.7976. For technical problems with the online application process contact Helpdesk@missouri.edu or call 573.882.5000.

For questions regarding this position, contact Dr. Candy Gabel, search committee chair, at gablec@missouri.edu or 573-884-6388.

Job Description The University of Missouri (MU) Extension’s distinct land-grant mission is to improve lives, communities and economies by producing relevant, reliable and responsive educational strategies throughout Missouri. MU Extension faculty and staff collaborate with researchers and community leaders to develop and deliver programs that address needs of Missourians. For more information about MU Extension visit http://extension.missouri.edu.

The University of Missouri (MU) is seeking an exceptional individual to bring innovative leadership to its 4-H Center for Youth Development to enhance the impact of the University in the lives of Missouri youth. The Director provides day-to-day academic, administrative, and strategic leadership for the Center and its affiliated faculty and staff.

Position Overview

In keeping with the university’s land-grant mission, the multidisciplinary 4-H Center for Youth Development was established by the Board of Curators for the purpose of focusing the resources of the University of Missouri toward the critical needs identified by Missourians for youth outcomes. The Center was launched by MU’s Youth and Families Extension and is headquartered in the College of Human Environmental Sciences (HES), bringing together faculty and resources from schools and colleges across the university as the highly visible locus of expertise and scholarship in positive youth development.

As the academic hub for MU’s 4-H Youth Development faculty and staff, the Center coordinates administration and improvement of statewide youth programs, providing practical application and demonstration of best practices through its affiliated network of campus faculty and staff, as well as youth development faculty, staff, and volunteers working in all 114 Missouri counties and the City of St. Louis. The Center curates and activates critical partnerships with county Extension Councils, 4-H Councils, Lincoln University, school districts, other universities, non-profit organizations, foundations, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the National 4-H Council, the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, other federal agencies, other state agencies, other offices across the four campuses of the University of Missouri System, and many others. The Director serves as the key representative leader of the Center and the University in developing these partnerships.

The Director is expected to catalyze a comprehensive strategy to secure additional resources from public and private sources to support Center programs and initiatives. Resource generation and fiscal management is achieved through coordination with the Missouri 4-H Foundation, University Advancement, faculty, and other partners, with oversight by MU Extension and HES.

This is a full-time, 12-month academic position with an administrative appointment. It is expected that the Director be eligible and approved for faculty appointment within the College of Human Environmental Sciences, Department of Human Development and Family Science. The faculty appointment may be either a tenured appointment at the rank of Professor or Associate Professor or a non-tenure track appointment at the rank of Extension Professor or Associate Extension Professor, depending upon University approval of qualifications and experience.

Key Responsibilities

Academic LeadershipFacilitate, guide, and monitor the development, application, and improvement of the multidisciplinary science of positive youth development, bringing together faculty from Extension and the colleges and schools for collaborative and innovative initiatives to address local, state, and national needs.
• Collaborate with Youth & Families Extension, HES and other academic unit partners in developing and delivering interdisciplinary extension and engagement programs and services and the related the scholarship of positive youth development, through peer-reviewed journal articles, poster and/or oral presentation, educational materials.
Provide in-service education opportunities for faculty and agency professionals.

Administrative Leadership

Serve as the chief officer for Missouri 4-H, overseeing all aspects of club management and support toward the mission of engaging youth in their communitiesManage the resources (e.g., physical, fiscal, intellectual, partnership), personnel (e.g., recruiting, onboarding, development, evaluation, volunteers), and implementation (delivery and improvement systems and processes) of statewide youth development programming, including Missouri 4-H programs and other affiliated youth initiatives.Develop and monitor the Center’s integrated budget and staffing plan.Lead accountability management, compliance, and reporting.Serve on departmental, college, Extension and university committees.

Strategic LeadershipProvide leadership for the development and implementation of Extension and Engagement’s vision, planning, staffing, budgeting, and programming related to youth.Engage in innovative initiatives at the state, regional and national levels of 4-H and youth development and be a recognized leader for the university and state.

Catalyze the development of collaborations with other departments, colleges and organizations engaged in implementing youth development programs as well as addressing youth development issues and policies.

Develop grants and funding strategies to assist with program development, implementation, and sustainability.Qualifications

An earned Ph.D. or Ed.D. in a discipline or program related to youth development, human development, family science, education, or closely related field.Five or more years of professional experience in designing, conducting and evaluating education programs for youth and/or volunteers, preferably including demonstrated leadership within Extension 4-H Youth Development programs.Demonstrated ability to communicate and build partnerships with a variety of internal and external audiences and stakeholders. Demonstrated ability to lead, develop, and grow individuals, teams, and volunteers and lead change management within a complex organizational environment.Demonstrated personnel and fiscal management capabilities.Demonstrated commitment to diversity, inclusion, affirmative action, and equal opportunity in programming, staffing, and services.

Benefit Eligibility

This position is eligible for University benefits. The University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, and educational fee discounts. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at http://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits

Diversity Commitment

The University of Missouri is fully committed to achieving the goal of a diverse and inclusive academic community of faculty, staff and students. We seek individuals who are committed to this goal and our core campus values of respect, responsibility, discovery and excellence.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Equal Opportunity is and shall be provided for all employees and applicants for employment on the basis of their demonstrated ability and competence without unlawful discrimination on the basis of their race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable state or federal law. This policy shall not be interpreted in such a manner as to violate the legal rights of religious organizations or the recruiting rights of military organizations associated with the Armed Forces or the Department of Homeland Security of the United States of America. For more information, call the Vice Chancellor of Human Resource Services/Affirmative Action officer at 573-882-4256.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Disability Inclusion and ADA Compliance Manager at 573-884-7278.

EEO IS THE LAW

To read more about Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) please use the following links:

• EEO is the Law English Version
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• EEO is the Law Chinese Version

MU Diversity Commitment

The University of Missouri is committed to cultural diversity. The broad range of life experiences, values, cultural practices and perspectives in our community establishes an institutional foundation for innovative learning and discovery. It further expands the university’s ability to become a globally-recognized epicenter for education, research and entrepreneurship. It is expected that the successful candidate will share this commitment.

Columbia Missouri Information

Columbia, Mo., is known as an ideal college town, combining small-town comforts, community spirit and low cost of living with big-city culture, activities and resources. Home to nationally renowned public schools and other colleges and educational centers, Columbia is packed with restaurants and entertainment venues and hosts more than a dozen annual cultural festivals.