Harney County 4-H/FCH Outreach Program Coordinator

Oregon State University Division of Extension and Engagement invites applications for a 4-H/Family and Community Health (FCH) Outreach Program Coordinator position serving Harney County. This is a 12-month, full-time, professional faculty position based at the OSU Extension Harney County Office in Burns, OR.  

This 4-H/FCH Program Coordinator is responsible for the management of a diverse portfolio of educational programming that meets the needs of Harney County. All 4-H and FCH faculty are expected to use best practices in positive youth development and public health to ensure that educational programs are of high quality and produce their intended outcomes. Programs are implemented in a manner that measures impact, fosters program improvement and strengthens community connections.

This 4-H/FCH Program Coordinator works extensively with volunteers, in supervisory (program management) and collaborative roles. The individual in this position 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. The program coordinator must be attentive to detail, able to teach adults and youth, and adept at promoting and marketing to adult and youth audiences.

This 4-H/FCH Program Coordinator also leads FCH programs in Harney County and collaborates with other Extension faculty to build effective local programs. The Program Coordinator works to determine the needs of target program audiences and to meet those needs through education and community partnerships. The Program Coordinator will work collaboratively to address local issues related to nutrition, food security, physical activity, mental health, substance use, resilience and preparedness. Program development will be guided by local and state health priorities, and determined in consultation with the FCH Program Leader and the Extension Regional Director and will be complementary to those of other FCH Extension faculty in the region or state.

This 4-H/FCH Program Coordinator is responsible for designing, developing, maintaining and/or carrying out educational programming 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 Harney County, this 4-H/FCH 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 demonstrable commitment to using digital communications tools and changing technologies as a primary way to raise Oregonian’s awareness of and engagement with our organization, programs and resources.

This position requires driving/traveling. Active and effective communication with staff and key stakeholders is critical to the success of this position, wireless access may be necessary.

About Extension 4-H Youth Development Program:

4-H provides young people with intentional, high-quality learning experiences that promote positive interactions with adults and peers, sustained and active participation across time, and opportunities to make meaningful contributions to the world around them. This mission is accomplished through the work of volunteers, youth, community members, and professionals who organize and conduct learning experiences in club, group, community, and family settings. Programs are implemented in a manner that is consistent with the best practices in the field of youth development and respectful of local norms and culture.

4-H Faculty teach, develop materials, coordinate digital outreach activities and provide administrative oversight to a broad array of programs through out of school, after-school, in-school, and camping programming. This position oversees all 4-H programming and supervises volunteers with expertise in project areas (e.g., health, outdoor adventures, livestock, shooting sports, leadership, civic engagement, and robotics). Some 4-H experiences involve travel and overnight accommodations. 4-H faculty are required to assure compliance with Federal and State regulations related to youth protection, fund-raising, taxation, and the nonprofit status of 4-H and affiliated organizations. To learn more about 4-H and our programs, please visit: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/4h.

About Extension Family and Community Health Program:

The Extension Family and Community Health Program (FCH) is affiliated with OSU College of Health. FCH and the College of Health align toward a common vision of lifelong health and well-being for individuals, families and communities in Oregon. FCH programs integrate an interdisciplinary, public health focus on health equity and well-being across the lifespan. To learn more about FCH and our programs, please visit: https://health.oregonstate.edu/extension/fch.

About Harney County:

Harney County is one of 36 counties in Oregon and is located in Southern Oregon. Harney County is also one of 10 Oregon counties to be identified as frontier. The faculty, staff, and trained volunteers of the OSU Extension Service in Harney County work alongside local partners to provide educational workshops, activities, and services tailored to the unique industries, natural resources, and people in the Harney County communities. To learn more about OSU Extension Harney County, visit: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/harney.

About the Division:

The Division of Extension and Engagement (division) is core to Oregon State University’s mission. The division helps create real solutions and positive impact across Oregon and beyond. The division is aligned under the leadership of the Vice Provost for Extension and Engagement. For more about our division and its core units and initiatives, visit: https://engagement.oregonstate.edu.

Oregon State University strives to ensure that all educational programs, services, activities, and materials we offer to the public are identified, developed, delivered, and evaluated in an accessible, inclusive, equitable, and socially just manner. OSU Division of Extension and Engagement (division) educational programs, services, activities, and materials are available to all people. OSU division prohibits discrimination in all its programs, services, activities, and materials. All employees are responsible for and expected to comply with Civil Rights obligations and actively work to expand access to all eligible populations. 

Position Duties

 45% – 4-H Program Management 

• Provide oversight and leadership for the OSU Extension Harney County 4-H Youth Development Program.
• Develop an annual plan of work that welcomes a broad and diverse audience, addresses youth educational and developmental needs, engages adults. This audience will have various backgrounds, needs, communication styles and expectations.
• Ensure that a balance of delivery methods (clubs, camps, workshops, school enrichment, after-school) are used to engage youth and adults that incorporate different communication styles and expectations.
• Evaluate the quality and impact of educational programming and services on a routine basis.
• Evaluate the tools/mechanisms used to deliver programs/services. Document learner progress and program impact.
• Provide processes to facilitate active communication flow and collaboration between program participants, volunteers, and Extension faculty, including but not limited to using multiple methods of electronic communication (i.e., websites, publications, video conferencing and other online methods).
• Develop marketing strategies and utilize appropriate print and digital tools to reach intended audience segments.
• Use digital project management, work production and collaboration tools for efficient internal work.
• Market/promote activities, programs and services of 4-H, the OSU Extension Service, and OSU, including using digital marketing strategies to reach intended audience segments.
• Develop culturally inclusive and socially cognizant marketing/promotional materials that ensure communication to a broad and diverse audience.
• Follow OSU and division brand guidelines, digital publishing standards, and digital contact management data integrity practices for programmatic communications, marketing and engagement.
• Develop internal and external partnerships that enhance 4-H youth development programming and OSU Extension, in Harney County.
• Collaborate with community members, organizations, businesses and agencies to aid program planning, delivery, support and evaluation.
• Collaboration with regional and statewide 4-H faculty members to enhance program effectiveness, collaborating across disciplines, organizations, and programs areas is expected.
• Keep records and provide necessary reports to appropriate administrators when requested, including plans of work and reports of accomplishments.
• Coordinate, implement, and manage computer database programs, such as county fair management system in support of member and volunteer participation in events and activities. Utilize, maintain, and support 4-H enrollment systems for member, volunteer, and group enrollments.
• Maintain and manage confidential information, including criminal history checks and youth safety registry. The incumbent will be responsible for ensuring confidentiality and youth safety.
• Pursue engagement activities that may include, but are not limited to the creation of internal and external partnerships.
• Work closely with colleagues, 4-H youth, parents, volunteers, community members and others to support Extension activities at the Harney County Fair and Oregon State Fair, while always ensuring adherence to 4-H procedures and policies, OSU policies, and Positive Youth Development.
• Work cooperatively with colleagues, volunteers and 4-H camp administrators to provide meaningful overnight camp opportunities for youth within Harney County and neighboring counties where opportunities for mutual cooperation with colleagues from other counties arise.
• Implement fee-based programming and cost-recovery practices, develop partnerships, and solicit external funding to support and enhance educational programs as appropriate.
• Organize and maintain program advisory and management committees and/or networks to identify program needs, mobilize local resources, make recommendations, assist in program implementation, and evaluate program effectiveness.
• Perform responsibilities as they relate to OSU relationship with Harney 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 a standing non-voting member of the County 4-H Association and work with 4-H State Office to avoid conflicts of interest. 

Supervision/Leadwork (10%) 

• Supervise individuals who will have various identities, cultural backgrounds, communication styles and expectations.
• Supervise volunteers who assist with the management of 4-H programs.
• Supervise temporary worker(s)/student worker(s) who assist with the management of 4-H programs as needed. 

25% – 4-H Program Teaching/Implementation 

• Facilitate educational programs for adults and youth, in partnership with Extension staff, local partners, organizations, and youth and adults within the community.
• Develop and provide non-credit educational materials, program information and outreach activities using digital communication and engagement tools and systems such as the Extension website.
• Develop and deliver non-credit educational programs to address priority emerging needs within Harney County communities, employing advisory committees, focus groups, surveys and other targeted assessment techniques.
• Employ the best practices of positive youth development engagement and 4-H program model theory.
• Develop and teach non-credit educational programs for adults and youth (ages 5-19) in content areas germane to achievement of positive youth development outcomes through various delivery methods, including school enrichment, after-school, community clubs and camps.
• Conduct volunteer development opportunities for new and existing volunteers to promote the best practices of positive youth development research, risk management, teaching, coaching, leadership and group management skills.
• Ensure that outreach activities and educational programs serve a wide range of populations, including those that have been historically marginalized/excluded from participation.
• Create research-based educational materials (handouts, curriculum, media based) and/or utilize existing research-based materials to support the delivery of non-credit educational programs.
• Travel/driving is essential for providing educational programming and services throughout Harney County. 

20% – Family & Community Health Program Leadership and Implementation 

• Develop, participate, and provide oversight and leadership to a comprehensive and diverse portfolio of non-credit programming focused on the community health needs of Harney County, including health promotion, disease prevention, family health, and nutrition. Ensure that programs are inclusive of the broad and diverse population of the county. This audience will have various backgrounds, needs, communication styles and expectations.
• Provide on-going program and volunteer leadership for Strong Women/People, a physical activity program for older adults.
• Organize and maintain community partners and program advisory committees to identify program needs, make recommendations, assist in program implementation, and evaluate program effectiveness.
• Engage community partners and community members in a culturally responsive manner.
• Develop annual goals for addressing community and educational needs utilizing best practices from the fields of public health and the human sciences.
• Establish relationships with community agencies (particularly local health departments) and organizations that focus on public health and prevention.
• Maintain a professional development plan to improve technical skills, maintain program relevance, and increase program effectiveness. Actively participate as a member of the FCH state work groups. 

5% – Organizational Accountability 

• Utilize digital communications and technology as a tool to increase the reach and impact of program delivery on constituents including participating with Ask Extension and using the division’s customer relationship management system. These activities should be included in the annual plan of work, impact statements, and summary of accomplishments/achievements.
• Use digital project management, work production and collaboration tools for efficient internal work.
• Provide community and statewide opinion leaders and decision makers with the context and understanding of how your program work relates to overall Extension programming output.
• Develop an annual plan of work addressing educational needs as well as evaluate the quality and impact of educational programs provided to audiences as appropriate.
• Create accessible and inclusive environments that make space for a range of learner needs and provide reasonable accommodations.
• Create opportunities to enhance access, inclusion, and relevant best practices and include these activities in the annual plan of work, impact statements, and summary of accomplishments/achievements. 

5% – Service and Other 

• Serve as an effective team member of the OSU Extension Harney County Office, the OSU State 4-H Program, OSU College of Health and OSU Extension Service.
• Participate in professional development opportunities that are appropriate for the current assignment and specialty.
• Establish and maintain relationships with other professionals including involvement in local, state and national professional associations.
• Participate in community service activities as appropriate for the position.
• Attend training opportunities to build basic knowledge and consistent skills to use digital communications, marketing and engagement technologies relevant to position duties.
• Complete the division’s civil rights training session(s) and coordinate the completion by volunteers.
• Serve on School, College, University, or Extension committees as appropriate. 

Minimum/Required Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in youth development, volunteer development, education, family sciences, leadership, management, communications, agriculture or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated experience delivering educational programs in formal or non-formal settings.
• Demonstrated ability to interact successfully with adult volunteers and manage volunteer programs, including volunteer recruitment, orientation, training, effective engagement, recognition, and evaluation.
• Ability to communicate successfully, both in writing and verbally, with a broad and diverse audience with different communication styles and expectations.
• Ability to successfully engage with broad and diverse populations in a culturally responsible manner.
• Ability to interact successfully with youth (e.g., 5-19 years of age).
• General knowledge and ability to use computers, including professional office software and collaborative work platforms.
• 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.
• Ability to work successfully with advisory groups, committees, and community partners.
• Ability to lead volunteers, employees, and groups to plan, organize, evaluate, manage, and delegate details associated with a program.
• Ability to build and maintain positive community relationships.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to work as a team member with others.
• 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. 

Preferred (Special) Qualifications 

• Master’s degree in youth development, volunteer development, education, family sciences, leadership, management, communications, agriculture or a closely related field.
• Bilingual (English and Spanish) and Bicultural. Ability to engage Spanish-speaking audiences through the utilization of bi-literate and bicultural skills.
• Experience teaching or facilitating formal or informal educational programs for adults, youth, families, and volunteers in content areas relevant to achieving youth development outcomes.
• Experience working with and managing volunteers and volunteer programs, including volunteer recruitment, orientation, training, effective engagement, recognition, and evaluation.
• Experience working with advisory groups, committees, and community partners.
• Experience working on public health promotion initiatives, through direct involvement or as a collaborator.
• Familiar with the 4-H program and/or positive youth development principles.
• Familiar with the FCH program and/or SNAP-Education program.
• Ability to secure external funding support for educational programs. 

Working Conditions/Work Schedule 

• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends.
• Position requires driving/traveling to provide educational programming and services throughout assigned county.
• Ability to transport (lift/carry/push) up to 30 lbs. of instructional materials and/or equipment.
• Position duties include working in varied working environments including professional office, county fairs, youth camps and livestock barns, including handling, tagging and showing livestock (beef, sheep, goat, and swine). 

Benefits

Oregon State University offers a comprehensive benefits package with benefits eligible positions that is designed to meet the needs of employees and their families including:

• Medical, Dental, Vision and Basic Life. OSU pays 95% of premiums for you and your eligible dependents.
• Free confidential mental health and emotional support services, and counseling resources.
• Retirement savings paid by the university.
• A generous paid leave package, including holidays, vacation and sick leave.
• Tuition reduction benefits for you or your qualifying dependents at OSU or the additional six Oregon Public Universities.
• Robust Work Life programs including Dual Career assistance resources, flexible work arrangements, a Family Resource Center, Affinity Groups and an Employee Assistance Program.
• Optional lifestyle benefits such as pet, accident, and critical illness insurance, giving you peace of mind and the support you need to thrive in all aspects of your life.

Future and current OSU employees can use the Benefits Calculator to learn more about the full value of the benefits provided at OSU. 

To review posting and apply, go to: https://jobs.oregonstate.edu/postings/163574. For full consideration, applications must be received by 2/2/2025. Closes 2/9/2025. OSU is an AA/EOE/Vets/Disabled.