Oregon State University Division of Extension and Engagement invites applications for a 4-H Natural Resources Program Coordinator position. This is a 12-month, full-time, professional faculty position based at the OSU Extension Service Benton County Office in Corvallis, Oregon.
This Outreach Program Coordinator position serves youth engaged in 4-H Natural Resources programming in Benton County. This 4-H Natural Resources Program Coordinator works as a member of the regional and statewide teams of the Extension 4-H Youth Development (4-H) program. Decisions regarding this position are in consultation with the supervision team which includes Extension 4-H Program Leader and the Extension Western Regional Director.
This 4-H Natural Resources Program Coordinator is responsible for the development, management and integration of 4-H Natural Resources non-credit education that meets the needs of youth in Benton County. This position and related programming will complement other programing efforts in Benton County. This Coordinator will have the opportunity to contribute to youth across the county, using 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 new programs. The position will work with schoolteachers, businesses, organizations and community members to reach youth of broad and diverse backgrounds and abilities.
The specific 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 Natural Resources 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 adult and youth audiences.
In addition to responsibilities within Benton, this 4-H Natural Resources 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.
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.
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 OSU employees, volunteers, and program partners as it is critical to the success of this position.
About Benton:
Benton County is one of 36 counties in Oregon. Benton County was created on December 23, 1847, by an act of the Provisional Government of Oregon. To learn more about the history of Benton County, visit https://boc.bentoncountyor.gov/history-facts. The OSU Extension employees and trained volunteers work alongside local partners to provide educational workshops, activities, and services tailored to the unique industries, natural resources, and people in the Benton communities. To learn more about the OSU Extension Benton County services, visit https://extension.oregonstate.edu/benton.
About the Extension 4-H Youth Development Program:
The Division of Extension and Engagement’s 4-H Youth Development Program 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 academic and professional 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. Some 4-H experiences involve traveling/driving and overnight accommodations. 4-H academic and professional 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, visit https://extension.oregonstate.edu/4h.
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. To learn 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’s 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
65% – Program management and delivery
20% Program leadership and partnership engagement
5% – Supervisory/leadwork duties
5% Organizational accountability
5%- Service and other
To review full position description, go to: https://jobs.oregonstate.edu/position_descriptions/158834.
Minimum/Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in a natural science-related field, science, environmental education, education, youth development, or a closely related field. Degree to be completed by start date.
- Demonstrated experience teaching, designing, and/or developing Extension or other non-credit educational programs.
- Demonstrated ability to successfully interact with youth 5-19 years of age (Kindergarten through 12th grade).
- Demonstrated ability to oversee day-to-day operations of a youth educational program.
- Ability to work with audiences from broad and diverse backgrounds and various cultural identities and to build community around culturally relevant programming.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills, with ability to effectively communicate with a broad and diverse audience in a culturally responsible manner.
- General knowledge and ability to use computers, including information technology, 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.
- Demonstrated ability to lead groups and to plan, organize, evaluate, manage and resolve conflicts and delegate details associated with program management.
- Ability to work as a team member with other professionals.
- 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.
Preferred (Special) Qualifications
- Two or more years of related experience working with representatives from K-12 education or youth serving organizations.
- Successful experience coordinating science or natural resources education programming.
- Demonstrated ability to provide leadership to teams and individuals that could include volunteers and supervisees.
- Demonstrated ability to interact successfully with adult volunteers and manage volunteer programs including volunteer recruitment, orientation, training, effective engagement, recognition, and evaluation.
- Demonstrated ability to work with community organizations, building new partnerships and relationships.
- Ability to accommodate multiple perspectives and learning needs in educational design and delivery.
- Demonstrated ability incorporating use of web, social media, newsletter or other digital technologies in program development or outreach activities to achieve goals.
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/169175. Apply to posting # P09146UF. For full consideration, applications must be received by 6/12/2025. Closes 6/16/2025. OSU is an EOE/Vets/Disabled.