The Oregon State University Division of Extension and Engagement and College of Forestry are seeking an Extension 4-H and Forestry Natural Resources Program Coordinator.

This is a full-time Outreach Program Coordinator position serving youth engaged in 4-H and Forestry Natural Resources programming in Benton County.  This Coordinator will work as a member of the regional and statewide team of the Division of Extension and Engagement’s (division) Extension 4-H Youth Development (4-H) and the College of Forestry’s Forestry and Natural Resources Extension (FNR) programs.  Decisions regarding this position are in consultation with the supervision team which includes the Recreation & Engagement Manager for College of Forestry Research Forests, Extension Program Leaders and the Extension Western Regional Director.

The areas of responsibility include: providing educational opportunities about natural resources to K-12 youth; working collaboratively with K-12 teachers and community partners in the Corvallis, Benton County, and OSU Campus communities; and managing youth program volunteer coordination. The 4-H and FNR Program Coordinator collaborates with schoolteachers, businesses, organizations and community members to reach youth from broad and diverse backgrounds and abilities.

This 4-H and FNR Program Coordinator is responsible for the development, management and integration of 4-H and Forestry natural resources non-credit education that meets the needs of youth in Benton County. This position and related programming will complement other 4-H programing and Forestry efforts in Benton County. This Coordinator will use best practices in youth development and natural resources education to create high quality programs that deliver measurable results, and will have the chance to help shape the future of programs, build new connections to other 4-H and Extension programs, and design innovative programs.

The 4-H and FNR Program Coordinator works extensively with volunteers, in supervisory (program management) and collaborative roles. This Coordinator must have excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build and maintain positive relationships with colleagues, youth, other educational and youth developmental programs, volunteers, families, community partners, associations, camp administrators, elected and appointed board members and county employees. This individual must be attentive to detail, able to teach adults and youth, and adept at promoting and marketing to an audience from broad and diverse backgrounds who have various needs and identities, cultural backgrounds, and communication styles and expectations.

This Coordinator is responsible for designing, developing, maintaining and/or carrying out educational programs and outreach activities to serve broad and diverse populations in an accessible, inclusive, equitable, and socially just manner. This includes complying with civil rights and language/visual access regulations.

In addition to responsibilities within Benton, this 4-H and FNR Program Coordinator is expected to contribute to regional and state educational team efforts related to the incumbent’s expertise and interests, such as county and state fairs, summer camps, annual conferences and other activities as assigned.

The division has built the capacity and expectation for employees to use digital communications and technologies in the modern-day workplace. This reflects our commitment to using digital communication tools and changing technologies as a primary way to raise Oregonian’s awareness of and engagement with our organization, programs and resources.

Wireless access will be necessary for active and effective communication with staff, volunteers, and program partners as it is critical to the success of this position.

Key Responsibilities

65% - Program Management and Delivery

Program Management and Oversight:

• Coordinate (including planning, delivering, and evaluating) non-credit educational programming focusing on positive youth development and natural resources education, including but not limited to:
• Annual Get Outdoors Day, an event hosted jointly by OSU Research Forests, OSU Extension Service, and Community Health Centers of Linn and Benton County at Peavy Arboretum.
• William Ferrell Forest Discovery Trail interpretive program in Peavy Arboretum.
• Wildlife Stewards Program efforts in Benton County schools.
• Coordinate and participate in other College of Forestry and community-based forestry youth outreach events and programs, including Environmental Leadership for Youth program and Wood Magic.
• Where appropriate, implement fee-based programming and cost-recovery practices, develop partnerships, and solicit external funding to support and enhance educational programs.
• Travel/driving is required to perform these responsibilities.

Curricula Development and Program Assessment:

• Identify and select curricula and educational materials which facilitate achievement of program objectives to broad and diverse youth audiences. Topics of instruction may include STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math), healthy living, agriculture, service-learning, leadership, or career and college readiness.
• Develop and deliver youth non-credit educational programs in content areas that best achieve youth development outcomes.
• Work with Extension faculty and Research Forest staff to evaluate the effectiveness and impact of educational programs.
• Design and oversee a comprehensive program utilizing methodologies which provide for the inclusion of youth from various cultures and backgrounds.
• Link program level output with the overall OSU Extension and University brand in all opportunities. Provide community and statewide opinion leaders and decision makers with an understanding and context on how this position’s program level Extension work relates to overall Extension programming output.
• Provide annual impact statement reports adhering to Extension criteria.

Program Communications and Marketing:

• Follow OSU and division brand guidelines, digital publishing standards and digital contact management data integrity practices for programmatic communications, marketing and engagement.
• Develop and distribute materials for youth outreach and education, including  brochures, presentations, reports, social media, and other digital tools.
• Use digital communication methods, such as websites and video conferencing, to communicate with internal and external audiences, and increase the reach and impact of program delivery on constituents. Other tools include participating with Ask Extension and using the division’s customer relationship management system.
• Develop culturally inclusive and socially cognizant materials that ensure communication to a broad audience with diverse backgrounds and cultural identities.

20% - Program Leadership and Partnership Engagement

• Develop and nurture relationships with community groups, organizations, OSU departments, and other partners/stakeholders to increase access to nature and nature-based experiences for youth audiences.
• Recruit, collaborate with, and train K-12 teachers and other program volunteers to plan and implement educational programs and community outreach efforts.
• Organize program advisory and management committees or networks to identify needs, assist with outreach, and evaluate program effectiveness.
• Serve as an effective team member of the Forestry Program, 4-H Program, OSU Extension Benton County Office, Extension Western Region, and OSU Extension Service.

5% - Supervisory/Leadwork Duties

• Supervise and provide leadership to student employees, interns, assistants and volunteers who have various identities, cultural backgrounds, and communication styles and expectations. This includes planning, assigning, and approving work assignments. 
• Work with Administrative Office Manager to hire student workers, interns, and other assistants as needed to assist with programs, using appropriate university HR processes.

5% Organizational Accountability

• Attend training opportunities to build knowledge and skills in digital communications to leverage marketing and engagement efforts relevant to position duties.
• Use digital project management, work production and collaboration tools for efficient internal work.
• Collaborate with other 4-H faculty in Benton County to perform responsibilities as they relate to OSU relationship with Benton County 4-H Association, includes:
• Ensure valid and current County 4-H Association agreements are on file and followed;
• Follow OSU financial policies, standards, rules, procedures, and best practices;
• Follow OSU 4-H financial procedures and best practices, Association bylaws, and the County 4-H Association agreement with OSU;
• Refer to the 4-H procedures handbook for working with the County 4-H Association;
• Serve as standing non-voting member of the County 4-H Association and work with 4-H State Office to avoid conflicts of interest.
• Keep records and provide necessary reports to appropriate administrators, including plans of work and reports of accomplishments. Follow all University guidelines in respect to records retention; maintain an efficient and effective filing system.

5%- Service and Other

• Facilitate a work environment that encourages respect for all people involved including promoting the development of knowledge and skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds.
• Create opportunities to enhance inclusion and relevant best practices and include these activities in annual plan of work, impact statements, and summary of accomplishments/achievements.
• Participate in and contribute to professional development opportunities that are appropriate for the current assignment and specialty.
• Participate in community service activities as appropriate for the position.
• Serve on local, University, or Extension committees as appropriate. Represent OSU at local events, meetings, and activities as appropriate.

What you will Need

• Bachelor’s degree in a natural science-related field, education, youth development, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated experience teaching, designing, or developing youth educational programs (Kindergarten through 12th grade). 
• Demonstrated effective communication skills including but not limited to written, oral presentations, and using digital communication systems.
• Demonstrated ability to work with audiences from diverse backgrounds and various cultural identities and to build community around culturally relevant programming.
• General knowledge and ability to use computers, including proficiency with information technology, professional office software and collaborative work platforms.
• Ability to lead groups and resolve conflicts.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• A commitment to collaborative and respectful learning and working environments that are safe, inclusive and welcoming. 

• This position is designated as a critical or security-sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a criminal history check and be determined to be position qualified as per University Standard: 05-010 et seq. Incumbents are required to self-report convictions and those in youth programs may have additional criminal history checks every 24 months.
• This position requires driving a university vehicle or a personal vehicle on behalf of the university; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a motor vehicle history check, possess and maintain a current, valid driver’s license in their state of residence, be determined to be position qualified and self-report convictions as per University Policy 05-030.

What We Would Like You to Have

• Two or more years of related experience working with representatives from K-12 education or youth serving organizations.
• Experience working with natural resource organizations (e.g., conservation organizations, community groups).
• Experience overseeing and managing a youth educational program, including but not limited to planning, organizing, and evaluating programs.
• Experience managing volunteers, including recruitment, orientation, training, engagement, recognition, and evaluation.
• Demonstrated ability to provide leadership to teams and individuals that could include volunteers and supervisees.
• Demonstrated ability to accommodate multiple perspectives and learning needs in educational design and delivery.
• Ability to learn and adapt to using multiple forms of digital communication systems, including websites, email newsletters, social media, and other tools in a changing technological environment.

View full job description and apply: https://jobs.oregonstate.edu/postings/158993

Application deadline: September 19, 2024