Associate Extension Agent, 4-H Youth Development Grayson County

Job Description

The successful applicant will be working in Grayson County. Grayson County is a rural county with a population just under 16000 residents. Grayson County shares its southern border with North Carolina and Tennessee and boasts many of the highest mountain peaks in Virginia. Grayson County has a vast array of outdoor education and recreation opportunities. Graysons terrain concentrates the population in somewhat separated closely-knit communities tied together by schools community centers and places of worship. Grayson County has one countywide public high school based in Independence and a private boarding school Oak Hill Academy. As a 4-H program Grayson County has a good relationship with the local public school system as a partner for both in-school and after-school activities. 4-H in Grayson County Schools focuses on SOL-related topics and experiential learning. Outside of the schools the 4-H program has Teen and Livestock Clubs and a summer camping program. The 4-H program has access to the Grayson Agriculture and Technical Education (GATE) Center with a technology-enhanced conference room and a commercial kitchen. Citizens who support our program expect traditional programming and a highly visible staff invested in the success of our countys youth.

The 4-H Youth Development Agent is a professional educator who provides leadership to the local 4-H program and manages its day-to-day operation. 4-H is a community of young people learning leadership citizenship and life skills. The mission of 4-H is to develop youth and adults working with those youth to realize their full potential and become effective contributing citizens. This is achieved through the development and delivery of research-based non-formal hands-on educational experiences.

Responsibilities: Develops and delivers objective research-based educational programs to meet the needs of broad audiences specifies program goals and objectives and identifies resources needed; provides leadership for 4-H Youth Development programs that meet the needs of all youth; identifies recruits trains supports and manages volunteers to implement and carry out the 4-H educational programming in the unit; determines unit program needs by monitoring trends and issues and conducting unit assessments involving the unit Extension Leadership Council (ELC) and other leadership committees; networks and builds coalitions with other agencies organizations and institutions to address the complex youth and family issues and the needs of the 4-H program; coordinates day-to-day activities and events associated with the unit 4-H program including 4-H delivery (community 4-H clubs project 4-H clubs school enrichment 4-H after-school 4-H special interest 4-H and 4-H camping).

Individuals will be hired at the Associate Extension Agent title level. A masters degree and promotion to Extension Agent are required no later than the sixth year of employment.

Virginia Tech has an excellent benefits package including graduate tuition waiver.

Extension Agents recognize the importance of all communities and broad reach in the development and delivery of Extension programs actively working to increase program participation of all people. Extension Agents are responsible for VCEs civil rights policies and equal opportunity compliance.

Required Qualifications

Must have a minimum of a Bachelors Degree (BA or BS) in a relevant discipline from an accredited college or university. A masters degree and promotion to Extension Agent are required no later than the sixth year of employment.

Knowledge and experience in planning conducting and evaluating Extension or non formal education programs; Understanding and ability to conduct community needs assessment to determine program priorities; Knowledge of child and human development. Excellent communication skills; Basic knowledge in educational technologies and their appropriate use in the development and delivery of educational programs; Program marketing skills; Knowledge and willingness to involve and manage volunteers in program development and delivery. The expectation is that these duties and all others listed are to be completed in-person with few exceptions for telework.

Extension Agents demonstrate flexibility adaptability; A team oriented mindset yet are able to work independently and; strong desire to help clients succeed. Extension agents recognize the importance of developing and delivering Extension programs that serve a broad range of communities actively working to expand program participation and adhering to VCEs civil rights policies to ensure compliance with state and federal law.

Virginia Tech is unable to sponsor applicants for work visas for this vacancy.

Preferred Qualifications

A Masters Degree is preferred.

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Regular

Salary Information

$45000 - $65000

Hours per week

Varies

Review Date

October 31 2025

Additional Information

The successful candidate will be required to have a drivers license check with an acceptable and safe driving record.

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its mottoUt Prosim(That I May Serve) Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world Virginia Tech is aninclusive communitydedicated to knowledge discovery and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36000 undergraduate graduate and professional students in eightundergraduate colleges aschool of medicine aveterinary medicinecollegeGraduate School andHonors College.The university has a significant presence across Virginia including Blacksburg the greater Washington D.C. area the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke sites in Newport News and Richmond and numerousExtension officesandresearch institutes.A leading global research institution Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.