Youth 4-H Extension Specialist III STEM

Position Title:

Youth 4-H Extension Specialist III - STEM

Job Group:

Professional & Scientific

Required Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelors degree and 5 years of related experience

Special Required Qualifications

Drivers License

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience with leading developing implementing delivering and evaluating innovative positive youth development programming; preferably with 4-H Youth Development Programs.

Experience developing and managing strategic partnerships.

Experience training staff and/or volunteers.

Experience in fundraising or fund development initiatives; ideally with grant writing/management.

Experience in STEM or STEM-adjacent environments.

Job Description:

Are you passionate about advancing STEM education and helping young people build critical skills for the future Are you excited by the opportunity to work directly with young people and make a lasting impact on their lives

If so the Department of 4-H Youth Development with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is seeking qualified candidates for a Youth 4-H Extension Specialist III!

What Youll Do:

The Youth 4-H Extension Specialist is a dedicated educator committed to fostering learning and growth among K-12 youth through innovative and impactful local and regional programs. Through creative teaching methods and hands-on learning experiences the Youth 4-H Extension Specialist ensures that programming is both effective and accessible to youth in Iowa.

Focused primarily in the area of STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics) the Youth 4-H Extension Specialist actively leads in the delivery of programming that strengthens educational opportunities for youth and their communities. They will work to design new and innovative programmatic approaches that enhance the quality and impact of local regional and statewide 4-H STEM experiences with a focus on longer-term experiences and showcase opportunities. This individual will work with county youth staff and other ISU 4-H Specialists in establishing organizing and facilitating networks and coalitions at the local regional and statewide levels to build community capacity for 4-H youth development programs. This role also conducts needs assessments evaluates program effectiveness and completes system reports as required. Additionally this role involves training staff and volunteers (youth and adults) to build program capacity and deliver STEM programming.

With a passion for teaching and a commitment to empowering youth the Youth 4-H Extension Specialist serves as a catalyst for educational growth equipping the next generation with the skills and knowledge needed to be beyond ready for life and work.

Responsibilities:

• Lead strategic planning and goal-setting for Iowa 4-H STEM programming ensuring alignment with statewide youth development priorities.

• Lead the delivery of core STEM programs across the state and pilot innovative approaches to enhance STEM experiences for youth at local regional and statewide levels.

• Provide leadership to the statewide 4-H STEM focus team including supervision of a Youth 4-H Extension Specialist II.

• Develop and manage partnerships with internal and external stakeholders to expand STEM opportunities including collaborative curriculum development and revenue-generating initiatives.

• Oversee the creation implementation and evaluation of research-based STEM curricula and educational products ensuring relevance and alignment with best practices.

• Facilitate professional development for 4-H staff and volunteers through workshops webinars and training sessions focused on STEM education.

• Ensure program fidelity through educational program development staff training and continuous quality improvement.

• Serve on campus state and national committees to provide expertise in developmentally appropriate STEM programming.

• Manage program budgets and evaluate program impacts to ensure sustainability and effectiveness.

• Support multi-state collaborations and contribute to national efforts in youth STEM education.

• Engage in continuous professional growth through targeted development opportunities and mentorship initiatives.

• Lead grant writing and management efforts to secure funding for STEM programming including identifying opportunities developing proposals managing awarded funds and reporting outcomes to stakeholders and funders.

Travel will be required in this position.

This is a fixed term position with an end date of 6/30/2028 with the opportunity for renewal.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.

About Iowa 4-H Youth Development:

Iowa 4-H Youth Development is the premier youth development program of Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Providing research-based education to K-12 youth Iowa 4-H builds upon more than a century of experience in positive youth development.

Level Guidelines
Senior-level position possessing high-level professional and/or technical skills working independently under minimal supervision to support ISUs mission and department or work unit goals
Applies senior-level professional knowledge and expertise to work requiring greater latitude
Solves moderately complex problems and regularly exercises judgment to determine appropriate action
Regularly exercises judgment to resolve problems and determine appropriate action on a broad set of issue and problems. May provide recommendations regarding problems/issues outside the bounds of defined procedures and practices
Responds to complicated inquiries provides training and provides direction to lower-level staff
May provide supervision for one to two other staff (i.e. leads a small work team)
May lead projects for which well-defined practices and procedures may not exist
Provides guidance to students

Appointment Type:

Regular with Term Appointment (Fixed Term)

Proposed End Date or Length of Term:

June 30 2028

Number of Months Employed Per Year:

12 Month Work Period

Time Type:

Full time

Pay Grade:

PS808

Application Instructions:

To apply for this position please click on Apply and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following: 1) Resume/Curriculum Vitae 2) Letter of Application/Cover Letter If you have questions regarding this application process please email or call or Toll Free: 1-.Why Choose ISUIowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits including medical and dental; as well as: Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans Generous vacation holiday and sick time and leave plans Onsite childcare (Ames Iowa) Life insurance and long-term disability Flexible Spending Accounts Various voluntary benefits and discounts Employee Assistance Program Wellbeing program Iowa State offers WorkFlex options for some positions. WorkFlex offers flexibility on when where and how you do your work. For more information please speak with the Hiring Manager.

Original Posting Date:

September 16 2025

Posting Close Date:

Job Requisition Number:

R17777