Extension Specialist, 4-H Youth Development (Healthy Living)
University of Illinois Extension
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Be a part of our story. Through learning partnerships that extend knowledge and change lives, University of Illinois Extension provides educational programs aimed at making life better, healthier, safer, and more profitable for individuals and their communities. Illinois Extension has operated continuously for more than 100 years connecting the citizens of Illinois to their land-grant university by providing educational programming around the state. University of Illinois Extension is based in the College of ACES and works with all colleges and units of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
The Extension Specialist, 4-H Youth Development, Healthy Living focuses on social-emotional health and proper nutrition, self-care and healthy habits, and fostering holistic well-being and resilience in youth. This approach equips them to lead meaningful lives and positively impact their communities and beyond. Topics include but are not limited to physical health, nutrition, mental health, positive relationships, and socio-emotional wellness. This person will provide leadership in creating a pathway of experiences for youth from county to state to national/international levels. This position serves as a regular, full-time, 12-month academic professional staff member of the State 4-H Office of University of Illinois Extension within the College of Agriculture, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences (ACES). The State 4-H Office provides leadership to the 4-H Youth Development Program delivered through University of Illinois Extension staff and offices throughout the state. This position will integrate program leadership, partnership, scholarship, and public engagement into its everyday practice. In collaboration with University of Illinois faculty, Extension staff and partners, this position will lead and consult on statewide research and programs related to youth health and wellness.
One full time position is available.
Location: State 4-H Office, Champaign, IL In state hybrid and remote work arrangements may be considered.
This is a security-sensitive position. Comprehensive background checks, including but not limited to a criminal conviction information check, a CANTS check, and a review of the Registered Sex Offender list, will be conducted.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Program Development
Assess the statewide needs for health and wellness youth programs in a systematic and analytical manner. Topics include but are not limited to physical health, nutrition, mental health, positive relationships, and socio-emotional wellness. Click here to read about Illinois 4-H's Healthy Living area.
Develop youth programs for formal and informal education contexts in areas of health and wellness that support the 4-H mission to provide hands-on learning, equip youth with skills and experiences for mastery, create opportunities for related career exploration, and empower youth to use what they learn to influence and impact others.
Develop, communicate and execute a strategic plan for growth and quality of 4-H health and wellness programs; includes vision for programs delivered by county 4-H staff and volunteers, as well as state and national events.
Participate in identification and use of research as it relates to 4-H youth health and wellness initiatives in collaboration with University of Illinois faculty and Extension staff across different disciplines.
Evaluate both short and long-term impact of 4-H youth healthy living initiatives.
State/National Youth Experiences
Provide leadership for the design and implementation of state and national Health Living learning experiences. Those include but are not limited to the annual 4-H Illini Summer Academies and State Fair.
Develop opportunities for local and state-level youth leadership, advocacy and service in relation to challenges at local, state and national levels. Support and mentor the Healthy Living State Ambassador Team.
Work as part of a State 4-H Office team to support statewide events such as State Fair and connect to other aspects of the state 4-H Youth Development plan of work as needed.
Professional Development / 4-H Program Technical Assistance
Identify, design, and teach professional development experiences for Extension staff, volunteers, and other partners located throughout the state related to research-informed best practices in health, wellness, a programs and positive youth development, as well as training related to working with diverse audiences of youth.
Promote and provide technical assistance to county staff implementing 4-H Signature Programs related to Healthy Living. Click here to review the 24-25 Signature Programs in Illinois 4-H.
Keep informed of research best practices in the field of positive youth development and work related to Healthy Living with others to provide technical assistance and training to Extension staff and volunteers.
Serve as a liaison between county-based staff and the State 4-H office for help in implementing 4-H policies, grants and 4-H Signature programs.
Partnership Development
Serve as Illinois liaison for state and national committees related to work around Healthy Living programs.
Establish professional relationships and participate in campus-based partnerships to inform and support 4-H youth healthy living programs delivered across the state.
Establish community and industry partnerships to support 4-H program goals.
Grant Management
Manage and apply for and participate in target grants that will support youth health and wellness programs.
Oversee budget management, staff supervision and program planning, oversight, and evaluation.
Other Information
Assume additional related responsibilities to enhance and further the mission of University of Illinois Extension.
Local, regional and (limited) statewide travel required.
Comply with all Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity policies and guidelines in all aspects of Extension work; assist Unit staff with data collection for Affirmative Action, Gender, and Targeted reports as needed.
Additional Physical Demands
To perform the functions of this position, the employee will be required to perform work both within an office and outside in the communities that are served and must have the capability to travel from one location to the other in a timely fashion. Employee is responsible for securing personal transportation. A valid driver's license is preferred. Some work will be required during evenings and/or weekends. When working, the employee may be exposed to a variety of environmental factors to include, but not limited to, hot or cold weather, exposure to noise and allergens, and uneven ground. In performing the functions of this position, the employee may be subjected to various mental and physical demands as well to include, but not limited to, independently traveling to and performing work at different locations, ability to move, transfer and/or transport items that may occasionally weigh up to forty (40) pounds and frequently weigh up to twenty (20) pounds, and twisting, pushing and pulling movements. More detailed information regarding the functions of this position (including the physical, mental, and environmental requirements of the position) may be obtained from Human Resources for the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) by contacting hr@aces.illinois.edu.
Minimum Qualifications
Education:
Master's degree in field related to nutrition, health, mental health, or youth development.
Master's degrees in other fields will be considered with work experience that demonstrates similar competencies. Candidates with a Master's degree in progress may be considered for interviews, but the degree must be completed by hire date.
Experience:
Experience in design and implementation of youth programs.
Experience working with diverse youth audiences and incorporating diversity, equity, inclusion, and access into programs.
Preferred Qualifications:
PhD in related field.
Experience within University of Illinois Extension.
Experience working with youth as program collaborators and/or engaging youth in community service, advocacy or leadership roles.
Experience in applied research.
Experience with grant writing and implementation.
Experience in cross-organizational partnerships.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Understanding of positive youth development. Understanding of health and wellness issues as they relate to both rural and urban communities.
Appointment Information
Sponsorship for work authorization is not available for this position. This position is a full-time, benefits-eligible, non-tenure academic professional position appointed on a 12-month service basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the closing date. The previously determined salary range for this position was $73,000 to $90,000. We strive to provide a competitive salary while taking into consideration internal equity, candidate experience and qualifications, as well as budget constraints. The final salary offer will be determined through a calculation involving these elements. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at the top of the full range for this position. Generous vacation and sick leave. State Universities Retirement System. Group health, dental, vision and life insurance.
Application Procedures & Deadline Information
Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (CST) on November 6, 2024. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. Please upload a resume, cover letter, and the names and contact information for three professional references. Resume dates submitted must be in month/year format and employment history, at a minimum, should include all work dating back to the completion of your undergraduate degree. Positions that were less than full-time/100% must be noted as being part-time. Transcripts may be requested at a later date. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered.
For further information about this specific position, please contact Christina Chopra at cchopra@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.
The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify .
Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal , or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing accessibility@illinois.edu .
