4-H Program Assistant - WVU Extension Service (Kanawha County) - West Virginia University

Description

The WVU Extension Service (WVUES) is seeking applications for a 4-H Program Assistant for Kanawha County.

About the Opportunity

As the Kanawha County Extension Program Assistant for 4-H Youth Development, you will be responsible for coordinating and supporting various educational programs and activities aimed at youth development and community engagement. This role involves planning, implementing, and evaluating STEAM programs in collaboration with schools, afterschool programs, and community leaders. You will support the 4-H program's expansion and outreach efforts, including SPIN clubs and school-based initiatives. Administrative duties include office support, recruitment of volunteers and participants, maintaining records, and managing program materials and supplies. The assistant also ensures adherence to WVU Youth Protection guidelines and participates in relevant training sessions. The ideal candidate should possess strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills, along with proficiency in office software and experience in educational program management. This role requires occasional travel and the ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.

We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:

• 37.5 hour work week
• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• 15 annual leave (vacation) days per year or more based on years of service (employee leave)
• 18 sick days per year (for when you’re ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family’s, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
• WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ’s.
• Wellness programs

PAY GRADE:  15

What you'll do:

• Plan, lead, evaluate, and report on STEAM programs at all Kanawha County Schools Third Base afterschool programs. Work with Third Base teachers and KCS administration to create a schedule to reach all Third Base participants for multiple weeks.
  
• In collaboration with county Extension Agents, determine program needs based on county and community needs assessments, observations, and discussions with community leaders, youth, and 4-H volunteers. 
  
• Provide assistance in developing, expanding, conducting and implementing the 4-H program to reach diverse audiences through camps, clubs, and county-wide events. 
  
• Assist with afterschool SPIN (special interest) 4-H clubs.
  
• In collaboration with faculty, staff, and the Evaluation and Communication Specialist, assist in facilitating the evaluation of programs and activities to identify areas of needed improvement.
  
• Develop and distribute age-appropriate materials designed to enhance the effectiveness of leaders in conducting high quality programs.
• Greet visitors when they come to the office, determine the nature of their visit and direct visitor to the appropriate staff member.
• Answer telephone, screen calls and clearly communicate messages to faculty and staff by determining the nature of the call.  Respond to general inquiries, including dissemination of general information to include program procedure and policy information.  Distribute incoming mail to staff in the incoming area; accept deliveries of items.
• Through techniques such as community presentations and personal contacts, identify and recruit volunteers, participants, and leaders for Kanawh County 4-H.

• Implement and manage volunteer processes such as recruitment, vetting, recognition, and retention.  Maintain accurate records of all volunteers in the county.

• Recruit new youth participants and/or organize new 4-H or WVU Extension clubs and groups as appropriate based on demographic data and information.

• Collaborate with the school system and local organizations to recruit and promote after school, out of school, weekend, and summer activities for youth.

• Assist in enrolling youth in 4-H programs.  

Qualifications

• Associate degree in education, youth development, health, science, humanities or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• A minumum of two (2) years experience in the following:
  
  • Experience in planning and conducting age appropriate youth educational programs.
    
  • Experience in working with community organizations and volunteers.
    
  • Experience in communicating (written, oral, formal/informal) with a variety of audiences.
    
  • Experience in an office environment.
    
  • Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).
    
  • Experience performing financial related duties.
• Knowledge of office methods, procedures and policies. 
  
• Ability to operate and troubleshoot standard office equipment.
  
• Ability to balance monthly budget reports and keep accurate, timely records.
  
• Ability to market and promote Extension programs to local constituents.
  
• Ability to learn the policies and procedures of the program centers, WVU Extension Service, WVU, state auditor’s office, and the Wirt County Commission and Board of Education.
  
• Ability to assess current situations, determine the best course of action, monitor for needed changes and ask for assistance, if needed.
  
• Ability to trouble shoot technology and equipment and willingness to seek help if needed.
  
• Excellent communication abilities, both orally and in writing.
  
• Ability to use word processing, spreadsheets and database programs to complete and coordinate submission of appropriate reports and information.
  
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to interact with all levels of the organization and the general public.
  
• Ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
  
• Strong organizational skills to plan and organize tasks.
  
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
  
• Public speaking abilities to present and market Extension programs to local constituents.
  
• Excellent analytical, reasoning and problem-solving skills. 
  
• Ability to travel and work occasional nights and weekends, as required.

• Valid driver’s license for independent travel throughout the county and occasionally the state.
• Lifting up to 25 lbs.

At West Virginia University, we leverage our talents and resources to create a better future for our state and the world. As West Virginia's land-grant university, WVU has three campuses that touch each corner of the state. The WVU System includes 518 buildings on 15,880 acres, Extension Service offices in all 55 counties, ten experimental farms and four forests.

From the groundbreaking R1 research of our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs of WVU Potomac State in Keyser to the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley — the contributions of WVU employees directly impact the 1.8 million people of West Virginia every day, no matter their role or position. 

Service, curiosity, respect, accountability, and appreciation are the core values that unite Mountaineers, inspiring one another to work tirelessly and support others as they seek to reach new heights. After all, when you're a Mountaineer, impossible is just another mountain to climb. 

Creating an inclusive, engaged, and dynamic learning environment is core to WVU’s academic mission. We welcome candidates who can contribute a range of ideas, approaches and experiences.

West Virginia University is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer and is the recipient of an NSF ADVANCE award for gender equity. The University values diversity among its faculty, staff, and students, and invites applications from all qualified applicants regardless of race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, nationality, genetics, disability, or Veteran status.

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