Extension State Program Specialist, 4-H Volunteer Development

This is a full-time twelve (12) month non-tenure track Extension faculty position. Faculty rank is dependent upon the candidates academic credentials and professional experience and is subject to review by the Extension Promotion Committee. The faculty appointment evaluation and promotion standards are centered around the three core duties of Extension Faculty educate create and connect and the person in this role divides time accordingly: educate 35% create 40% connect 15% and administration 10%. Candidates are sought with interests that complement and expand upon current initiatives and education activities in OEE and CSU Extension.

The State 4-H Volunteer Development Specialist provides leadership for Colorados statewide 4-H Youth Development volunteer system by designing delivering and evaluating comprehensive training onboarding and support for volunteers and professionals. A central focus of this role is guiding effective conflict resolution risk management and youth protection practices ensuring positive safe and quality volunteer and program environments statewide. This position also develops and implements strategies to recruit retain and recognize volunteers while building partnerships creating resources and advancing a strong supportive volunteer development and management system. There will be periodic activities requiring travel and/or overnight stays. Time can be flexed to maintain a 40-hour work week.

For full consideration allmaterials must beRECEIVEDno laterthan 11:59 PM Mountain Time on August 25 2026.

• Lead and coordinate a comprehensive statewide volunteer development system for the Colorado 4-H Youth Development program including training onboarding and ongoing support for volunteers and professionals.
• Provide proactive leadership in conflict resolution mediation risk management and youth protection to ensure safe and productive program environments.
• Design implement and evaluate volunteer development strategies using models such as ISOTURE and VRKC to strengthen program quality and impact.
• Develop and deliver high-quality educational resources curricula and training opportunities (webinars workshops and meetings) that meet local and statewide needs.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with county staff volunteers CSU faculty Extension and external organizations to enhance volunteer engagement and program reach.
• Evaluate document and report program outcomes and impacts while identifying and securing resources (grants funding partnerships) to support volunteer-led programs.
• Oversee administrative functions including budget management policy development and compliance with civil rights and affirmative action standards ensuring effective support and oversight of the statewide 4-H volunteer system.

• Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires) travel.
• Must have a valid drivers license or the ability to obtain a drivers license by the employment start date.
• The successful candidate must be legally authorized to work in the United States by the proposed start date; the Office of Engagement and Extension will not sponsor a visa for this position.

This position does not have supervisory responsibilities.

• Completed masters degree. The conferred degree must be in volunteer development youth development agriculture education Extension education K-12 education or a closely related field.
• Coursework and/or professional experience must provide a broad and significant understanding of volunteer development youth development educational leadership Extension education and/or community development along with a high degree of subject matter competence in these areas.
• 5 years professional experience relevant to the Essential Job Duties of this position.
• Experience and/or coursework in conflict management and proficiency in conflict resolution best practices and techniques.

• A Ph.D. in volunteer development youth development agriculture education Extension education K-12 education or a closely related field.
• Knowledge of and/or experience in Extension 4-H Positive Youth Development and adult learning theory.
• Experience or course work in audience-needs identification program development experiential learning and program evaluation.

Please submit the following to apply:

• CV (not a resume) - Creating a Curriculum Vitae (CV) - Career Center
• Cover Letter
• Special Required Documentation Statement (no more than 5 pages) of how you meet all applicable Required and Preferred Job Qualifications. Please respond to each bullet point separately.

For questions regarding the application process contact the OEE HR Unit at For questions regarding the job vacancy responsibilities and salary please contact Michael Compton @ .

To apply please upload the following applicant documents. Ensure your materials fully address the required and preferred job qualifications of the position. Please note applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age date of birth or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

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Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study work and living environment for its faculty staff volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulationsCSUconducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include but is not limited to criminal history sex offender registry motor vehicle history financial history and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when in the discretion of the University it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

Colorado State University (CSU) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race color religion age sex national origin disability status genetics protected veteran status sexual orientation gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by federal state or local laws.