Maryland 4-H Mission

The Maryland 4-H Youth Development Program provides a supportive and inclusive setting for all youth to reach their fullest potential in a diverse society. Youth learn beneficial and cognitive life skills through community-focused, research-based experiential education programs.

Our Vision

Maryland 4-H aspires to be a recognized leading youth development program that inspires youth and adults to learn, grow and work together as catalysts for positive change.

Opportunities for all

We build our work teams with the same mission and vision. We wish to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. 

The University of Maryland, College Park, an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, age, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, creed, marital status, political affiliation, personal appearance, or on the basis of rights secured by the First Amendment, in all aspects of employment, educational programs, and activities, and admissions.

Career Opportunities

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    4-H Program Leader, Principal Agent and Assistant Director

    The Assistant Director and Program Leader of 4-H Youth Development for the University of Maryland Extension provides statewide leadership and direction for 4-H Youth Development programs and faculty. The incumbent is administratively responsible to the UME Associate Director for addressing the mission and goals of 4-H Youth Development programs while aligning 4-H priorities with those of UME and AGNR. Duties include identifying issues and opportunities that align with organizational priorities and working with faculty and partners to develop, implement, and evaluate educational programs that address the statewide needs of consumers, residents, agencies, organizations, industries, and communities in these areas.

    Nationally, 4-H youth development aims to support thriving youth and communities. Maryland 4-H Youth Development programming is conducted to address 6 priority areas in Maryland: 1) Building Community and Civic Engagement, 2) Developing Leadership Skills for Life, 3) Nurturing Social Empowerment and Resilience, 4) Improving College and Workforce Readiness, 5) Fostering Exploration and Creativity in Arts and Science, and 6) Promoting Healthy Lifestyles and Self-Acceptance.

    Responsibilities:

    • Leadership and oversight of non-formal Extension education and applied research projects in alignment with program goals and priorities supporting Maryland team thriving model.
    • Secure funding and support faculty in acquiring and managing extramural funds for enhancing 4-H programs from diverse funding sources.
    • Provide leadership, guidance, and coaching for faculty, including planning, implementing, and evaluating programs.
    • Provide leadership to faculty in long-range planning, writing, reporting, professional development and grant management.
    • Provide leadership in developing and maintaining effective teamwork among state and county/city faculty, staff, volunteers, and stakeholders.
    • Mentor faculty to set clear expectations for Extension programming, scholarship, and service, providing opportunities for success while instilling confidence and pride.
    • Conduct annual program and faculty evaluations, including the review of Individual Extension Plans and performance evaluations.
    • Personnel supervision and evaluation of Maryland 4-H state staff (including Maryland 4-H Foundation and Maryland 4-H Environmental Education & Camping Center staff).
    • Provide annual reports to Associate Director/Associate Dean for various reporting requirements, including the Federal reporting on Extension programs and impacts.
    • Work collaboratively with UME Program Leaders, departments, and others, in developing collaborative and interdisciplinary programs, events, and activities.
    • Collaborate with the evaluation team to ensure an effective plan and process for 4-H youth development program evaluation and applied research efforts.
    • Serve as an active and collaborative member of the UME administrative team, with a diverse portfolio of duties as assigned, including contributions to leadership meetings, strategic planning, programming, and training.
    • Provide vision and leadership to expand enrollment in all areas of the state with particular attention to underserved youth in 4-H programs.
    • Participate in recruitment and hiring faculty and staff in Extension vacancies.
    • Provide fiscal oversight and management of the 4-H operations and programming budget, including the 4-H Environmental and Camping Center.
    • Supervise MD 4-H Foundation staff who manages all grants funded by the National 4-H Council cooperatively with the Maryland 4-H Foundation Board of Directors.
    • Provide oversight of statewide policies, procedures, and risk management efforts.

    Education:

    • Candidates must have an earned doctorate (Ph.D. or Ed.D.) and must be able to be tenured in a department as a Professor or tenured in Extension as a Principal Agent or equivalent rank. At least one graduate degree, preferably a doctorate, must be in youth development, education, and/or social science-related areas.

    Preferred:

    • Education emphasis is in youth or child development, education, life science, or related fields or a similar degree emphasis in undergraduate work.
    • Ph.D. 
    • Experience in volunteer development, youth development, program management, and grant writing and management.
    • Knowledge of the educational program development process and using logic models to work toward meaningful outcomes while addressing youth-focused issues.
    • Experience with the 4-H youth development program.
    • Experience in distance and virtual education strategies.
    • Demonstrated success in building collaborative relationships and community-based partnerships
    • Successful engagement with limited resources and underserved audiences.

    To find out more or to apply, click on this card. 

    Best consideration date: 03/25/2024

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    4-H Youth Development Volunteer Specialist

    University of Maryland Extension (UME) is seeking a state Faculty member responsible for supporting the Extension Educator network through coordinating the volunteer system and youth leadership/civic engagement initiatives. This will include scholarly efforts, program coordination, recognition and evaluation of programs and resources for practitioners, youth, volunteers and communities. The faculty member will provide support to a large statewide volunteer network. The faculty member is also responsible for supporting county/city 4-H Extension faculty/staff in an active recruitment campaign to engage new volunteers and program partners. The volunteer recruitment campaign will align with the National 4-H Grows mission to engage youth and volunteers who reflect the diverse communities across the state of Maryland. The faculty member will be on track for tenure and promotion to a higher rank in accordance with University policy and UME tenure guidelines within a timeframe defined. This position reports directly to the Maryland
    4-H Program Leader.
     

    Responsibilities:

    • Coordinate statewide 4-H volunteer development and management processes utilizing the ISOTURE Model (Identification, Selection, Orientation, Training, Utilization, Recognition and Evaluation).
    • Coordinate statewide 4-H youth leadership and civic engagement initiatives to include a youth leadership council, service-learning programs and civic engagement initiatives.
    • Facilitate research-based methods to increase knowledge, leadership, and scholarly contributions in alignment with the UME Strategic Plan and 4-H Program Priorities.
    • Conduct needs assessments, outreach and marketing to engage diverse audiences with equity and inclusion as foundational elements.
    • Cultivate good working relationships with 4-H professionals, volunteers, youth, and community collaborators to advance the mission of 4-H youth development. Promote positive public relations with stakeholders and the community.
    • Increase resources through grants, local funding sources, collaborative and other funding proposals to support and expand 4-H youth development programs.
    • Perform teaching, scholarship, and service requirements of a faculty member of the University of Maryland. This is a tenure-track position requiring documented accomplishments in the areas of research, teaching, and service.
    • Serve on local, regional, state, college, and university committees. Provide leadership for committees, professional organizations, and special assignments, etc. on a state and national level.
    • Oversee comprehensive youth protection standards approach aligned with University of Maryland Extension protocols including volunteer applications, background check processes, reviews, and onboarding.

    To apply and find out more information, click on this card. 

    Education:

    • Master’s degree required.

    Experience:

    • 5 – 7 years post undergraduate experience required in a youth development field of study with demonstrable evidence of understanding of volunteer development and youth leadership principles.
    Best Consideration Date 03/22/2024