About UMass Amherst
UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.
Job Summary
Direct the Extension 4-H Youth Development Program providing statewide administrative and programmatic leadership in the development, coordination, implementation and evaluation of the program. Provide leadership for outreach educational programs and integrated research with the Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment (CAFE) within the College of Natural Sciences. Represent the program on a state, regional and national level, and serve as liaison for Extension with volunteers, state and federal agencies, and other appropriate groups. Prepare reports and manage budget. Supervise staff and participate on CAFE administrative leadership team. Direct preparation and delivery of educational programs and activities. Provide oversight of the programs' website, publications, social media, and newsletters.
Essential Functions
- Lead the 4-H Youth Development Program through proactive needs assessment and strategic planning. Develop goals, strategic priorities and policies. Develop, implement and evaluate programming.
- Ensure effective, relevant Extension programs. Gather input from advisory groups, collaborating organizations and stakeholder listening. Utilize advisory groups, collaborators and constituents in program development and support of Extensions' efforts.
- Ensure educational programs reach underserved audiences and work proactively to ensure all programs are conducted in compliance with federal, state and university equal opportunity/affirmative action policies. Work closely with CAFE administration to ensure the 4-H program complies with Massachusetts law and university policies.
- Lead development of external funding including grants and revenue-generating activities. Determine overall program budget needs and allocate financial resources. Assess and approve staffing needs. Prepare budgets and reports.
- Lead recruitment, hiring, training and oversight of staff. Supervise performance management for all 4-H extension educators, program support and clerical staff. Identify staff professional development needs and develop solutions.
- Maintain a volunteer management system to recruit, assess and retain volunteers with the 4-H Program.
- Represent UMass Extension 4-H, presenting consistent vision and identity at external advisory boards and collaborators’ meetings as well as to internal audiences. Implement a program communications strategy to publicize the impact of Extension 4-H programs to the Commonwealth, regionally and nationally.
- Lead the development of multidisciplinary applied research and education that addresses issues of critical public interest. Encourage and support scholarly activities and/ or interdisciplinary applied research as appropriate to specific projects.
- Ensure project plans and reports are posted to required online reporting systems. Prepare state, federal and organizational reports as required.
- Serve as liaison with the Mass. 4-H Foundation. Keep Foundation trustees and staff informed of program accomplishments and support Foundation’s fundraising activities. Serve as liaison to National 4-H Headquarters and National 4-H Council act as Massachusetts reference on national 4-H guidelines and policies. Work with 4-H Council to identify and secure resources, technical support and funding.
- Maintain and increase professional competence through participation in professional development activities to maintain effectiveness in leadership, disciplinary and management roles.
Other Functions
- Work collaboratively and effectively to promote teamwork, diversity, equality and inclusiveness. In the performance of work, take initiative and operate with self-direction.
- Work in partnership with colleagues within the CNS community and across the campus to support the Dean’s strategic priorities.
- Perform other duties as assigned in support of the mission and goals of the College of Natural Sciences.
Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
- Master's degree in psychology, education, youth development, organizational development, communication, or related field and four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in Cooperative Extension or equivalent professional education experience.
- Demonstrated successful management experience in fiscal, contract management, and staff supervisory areas.
- Demonstrated ability and skills in educational program needs assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation. Knowledge and demonstrated ability to implement adult and youth education theories and practices with diverse audiences.
- Demonstrated ability to work in teams.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Ability to work independently to organize multiple tasks and set priorities for action, take initiative, be creative, and operate with self-direction in a fast-paced office environment.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to interact effectively and work productively in establishing and maintaining harmonious working relationships with a diverse population of faculty, staff and students.
- Ability to organize and prioritize goals; ability to collaborate well to formulate plans and objectives in accordance with overall college goals; ability to identify and implement process improvements.
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and to set and meet deadlines while maintaining high standards of accuracy and quality.
Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
- Doctoral level degree in related discipline. Course work in education.
- Prior organizational or programmatic management experience including formation and supervision of self-directed working teams.
- Experience in strategic planning, project development, revenue generation and grant writing.
Physical Demands/Working Conditions
- Typical office environment.
- Ability to travel in-state, regionally and nationally is required.
Work Schedule
- Monday – Friday, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm.
- Flexibility in scheduling must accommodate evening and weekend meetings and activities.
- This position has the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule, which is defined by the University as an arrangement where an employee’s work is regularly performed at a location other than the campus workspace for a portion of the week. As this position falls within the Professional Staff Union, it is subject to the terms and conditions of the Professional Staff Union collective bargaining agreement.
Salary Information
Level 31
PSU Hiring Ranges
Special Instructions to Applicants
Along with the application, please submit a resume, cover letter, Diversity Statement (see below) and contact information for three (3) professional references. The search may remain open until a suitable candidate pool has been identified.
As part of a commitment to their own multicultural community, CNS seeks an individual with a demonstrated commitment to diversity and one who will understand and embrace university initiatives and aspirations. In addition to application materials above, candidates will need to submit a Statement of Contribution to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. The Diversity Statement should identify past experiences and future goals. These contributions may result from lived experiences, scholarships, and/or mentoring, teaching, and outreach activities. http://www.cns.umass.edu/diversity-equity-inclusion.
UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, or genetic information in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of the UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.