Job no: 502723
Work type: Staff Full Time
Location: UMass Amherst
Department: UMass Extension
Union: PSU
Categories: Administrative/Office Support

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Job Summary

The 4-H Extension Educator for the central region, located in Worcester, MA, will provide programmatic leadership and management for the Massachusetts 4-H Youth Development Programs. Develop and implement educational programs and resources for youth ages 5-18 while providing support and oversight for collaborating adult volunteers and partner organizations. Supervise training and management systems for volunteers, including those for subsidiary organizations and advisory bodies. Recruit and provide oversight for youth and adult participants and volunteers. The Educator is part of a team that coordinates activities, processes and functions with other 4-H educators and administrators across the state.

Essential Functions

Examples of duties:

• Plan, deliver, manage and evaluate youth development programs consistent with the history and priorities of the 4-H Program in Massachusetts and nationally.
• Develop and maintain collaborative connections with existing and new stakeholders, communities and organizations, including previously unserved and underserved youth populations and target audiences.
• Routinely assess needs to understand and address local and regional issues related to positive youth development.
• Support and manage local and regional 4-H club system. Recruit youth participants. Recruit, screen, orient, train and manage volunteer club leaders.
• Provide guidance and oversight for 4-H advisory bodies, volunteer committees and other subsidiary groups.
• Serve as the primary linkage between local and regional stakeholders, the Massachusetts Statewide 4-H program, UMass Extension and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Ensure adherence to all relevant national, state and university policies to promote and preserve the health and safety of youth participants.
• Manage the Worcester office 4-H budget and supervise local and regional staff based in the Worcester 4-H office.

Other Functions

• Work collaboratively and effectively to promote teamwork, diversity, equality and inclusiveness.
• Work in partnership with colleagues from UMass Extension and the Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment to support strategic priorities.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of the mission and goals of the UMass Amherst College of Natural Sciences.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Bachelor’s degree in youth development, psychology, education, communication or related field.
• Three years of professional work experience in a youth-related organization that includes working directly with youth.
• Prior supervisory experience.
• Ability to work independently, creatively and decisively. Ability to set priorities for individual and collective action and to operate effectively within a complex and fast-paced office environment.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Ability to interact effectively and work productively in establishing and maintaining harmonious working relationships with a diverse population of volunteers, faculty, staff and students.
• Ability to organize and prioritize goals; ability to collaborate to formulate plans and objectives in accordance with organizational goals; ability to obtain continuous feedback, identify and implement process and programmatic improvements.
• Ability to manage multiple and complex projects simultaneously and to set and meet deadlines while maintaining high standards of accuracy and quality.
• Experience and competency utilizing internet-based computers and software to achieve programmatic goals and for effective communications.

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Master’s Degree in youth development, psychology, education, communication or related field.
• Prior experience in adult educational programs or environments.
• Prior experiencing working with and managing volunteers.
• Prior experience working in higher education.
• Prior experience or familiarity with 4-H.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

• Ability to lift 25 pounds.
• Ability to maintain program of activities requiring frequent travel around region and state.

Additional Details

This position is based in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Work Schedule

Flexible work schedule based on Monday–Friday 8:30am–5:00pm but allowing for frequent meetings and activities outside of these hours.

Salary Information

Level 27

PSU Salary Ranges

Special Instructions to Applicants

Submit a letter of application, resume, contact information for three professional references, and a Statement of Diversity (see below). Apply by September 29, 2019 in order to ensure priority consideration. Search may remain open until a suitable candidate pool has been identified.

As part of a commitment to their own multicultural community, CNS seeks an individual with a demonstrated commitment to diversity and one who will understand and embrace university initiatives and aspirations. In addition to application materials above, candidates will need to submit a Statement of Contribution to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. The Diversity Statement should identify past experiences and future goals. These contributions may result from lived experiences, scholarships, and/or mentoring, teaching, and outreach activities. (https://www.cns.umass.edu/diversity-equity-inclusion)

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, or genetic information in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of the UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.

Advertised: Sep 9 2019 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: