Description & Details:

This position will contribute to a dynamic team dedicated to implementing high-quality, research driven delivery strategies to engage diverse youth audiences at the state, regional, county, and tribal nation levels. As a key 4-H youth development program team member, this position will
provide leadership for the state 4-H educational programming in outdoor education programs, as well as the state 4-H shooting sports program. The scope of role includes expanding outdoor adventure programming, promoting nature-based learning, overseeing diverse camping experiences, and exploring other exciting experiential learning opportunities. Topic areas may include wildlife, forestry, fishing, water science, plant sciences, conservation, outdoor recreation, energy, and more. The individual in this role will work to develop curricula, lesson plans, train the-trainer, and programming resources in related topic areas. Contributing to and collaborating with NDSU Extension personnel, faculty, industry stakeholders, 4-H volunteers, and youth on work focused on outdoor education, shooting sports, wildlife experiential, and digital learning is integral to the success of this position. This position will work with youth and adult volunteer advisory groups as they provide leadership, input, and direction to identify programmatic needs and outreach efforts.

Responsibilities include leadership for the planning, execution, management, promotion, and evaluation of 4-H outdoor education, shooting sports and wildlife programs, competitive events (plant science contests, i.e., land, range, and agronomy contests), educational sessions, and
curriculum.

This includes oversight for the 4-H Shooting Sports Program instructor workshops, certifications, contests, and tournaments. Additionally, the role involves leading career exploration initiatives and fostering diverse and innovative experiences. The aim is to create a seamless and
impactful engagement for youth in outdoor education, shooting sports and wildlife youth development opportunities.

Responsibility for the Work of Others:
This position will oversee volunteers engaged in various functions within the ND 4-H program.
This role is responsible for ensuring strict adherence to all NDSU Extension, ND 4-H Youth Development, and national 4-H protocols. This includes monitoring compliance with established procedures, meticulous record-keeping practices, and the expected behaviors outlined by the
respective entities.
Position Information & Duties:
This position includes, but is not limited to, the following responsibilities:
Provide leadership in planning, developing, conducting and evaluating innovative extension education programs in outdoor education and the state 4-H shooting sports program.
Provide leadership and oversight to the statewide 4-H shooting sports program, including, but not limited to, conducting official state shooting sports matches, conducting training to certify shooting sports instructors and volunteers, leading committees and advisory groups, implementing North Dakota and national rules and regulations, maintain state-owned shooting sports equipment and provide support and guidance to Extension personnel for their local shooting sports programs.
Develop and sustain strong relationships with NDSU Extension personnel, NDSU faculty, stakeholders, advisory groups, parents, volunteers, youth and others.
Develop and utilize appropriate media methods to communicate current and timely information to various audiences.
Collaborate with Extension staff for needs assessments, gather and report program outputs and impacts, demonstrate program effectiveness, work with advisory groups and the 4-H plant science program planning team, and guide future program priorities.
Actively participate and develop professional development opportunities.
Secure extramural funding for outdoor education and shooting sports programs.
Provide support and guidance for the ND 4-H camp in Washburn, ND, in cooperation with the State 4-H Activities Coordinator. Duties include, but are not limited to, camp programming, content planning, and counselor training.
Support other 4-H youth development program efforts as assigned.

Work Schedule:
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. This is a full-time, 12-month non-tenure track position.

Situated within NDSU Agricultural, this role operates under the supervision of the NDSU Extension 4-H Youth Development Assistant Director. This position requires occasional evening and weekend commitments without accruing overtime. Statewide travel is required. Occasionally, overnight trips may be required for meetings, contests, activities, training, and professional development. The office of this position is located at an NDSU facility to be determined, for example a county Extension office, Research Extension Center, etc.

Advertised Salary:
To be determined based on experience and qualifications.

Minimum Qualifications:
Master's in education, youth development, environmental science, outdoor education, forestry, biology, ecology, or related fields.
Experience in teaching (formal or non-formal) and positively interacting with and managing youth and adults.
Experience in program development and delivery to diverse audiences/communities and proven ability in establishing and working with a diverse network of individuals.
Demonstrated personal/interpersonal skills, including effective oral and written communication skills to teach and interact effectively with various audiences including youth, Extension personnel, faculty and stakeholders.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team to prioritize workloads and meet deadlines.
Evidence of ability to effectively use established and emerging technologies related to education and youth development programming.
Ability to travel in local and surrounding communities and occasional long-distance travel is required as a regular part of this position.
Basic understanding of 4-H and the Cooperative Extension system
Ability to lift and carry 10 - 75 pounds occasionally.
Possess a valid driver's license
Pass a background check and youth protection screening

Preferred Qualifications:
Earned Ph.D. in education, youth development, environmental science, outdoor education, forestry, biology, ecology, or related fields.
Five or more years of professional experience in designing, conducting and evaluating educational youth and adults programs.
Basic understanding of the Cooperative Extension System and a land-grant university.
Experience using organizational and logistical skills, with attention to detail, leading, organizing, implementing, managing, market and evaluating youth-focused and/or adult educational programs related to outdoor education, shooting sports, wildlife and closely related fields.
Demonstrated success in writing and securing grants with the ability to fulfill grant deliverables.
Applied scholarly interest in experiential and inquiry-based education.
Record of positive youth development and successful partnerships at community, state and/or national levels.
Experience in program planning and event management.

Screening will begin: 7/29/24

Benefits:

NDSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes single or family health insurance coverage with premiums paid for by the university – with an effective date for new employees the first of the month following date of hire. Other benefits include: wellness benefits, basic life insurance, retirement plan, tuition waiver, annual leave, EAP, sick leave and holiday pay. Optional benefits include: supplemental life, dental, vision, long-term care insurance, flexible spending account, and supplemental retirement plans.

About Us:

North Dakota State University is distinctive as a student focused, land-grant, research university. We educate leaders who solve national and global challenges by providing affordable access to an excellent education that combines teaching and research in a rich learning environment.

NDSU is in the highest Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, R1, granted to the top research institutions in the country.

NDSU has offices across the state of North Dakota, and the main campus is in Fargo, on the Minnesota border. Along with Moorhead, Minnesota, Fargo forms one of the largest metropolitan centers between Minneapolis and Seattle. The community is consistently ranked as one of the best places to live.

No Smoking Notice:

As an employer, the State of North Dakota prohibits smoking in all places of state employment in accordance with N.D.C.C. § 23-12-10.

EO/AA Statement:

North Dakota State University is an Equal Opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, gender expression/identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, participation in lawful off-campus activity, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, public assistance status, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, spousal relationship to current employee, or veteran status, as applicable.

Diversity Statement:

NDSU strives to be a community of belonging, recognizing unique differences as strengths of our university. We seek to recruit and retain a diverse workforce that supports a community in which diverse populations and perspectives will know and learn from one another. NDSU values candidates who are committed to our core values of respect, inclusivity, community, creativity, excellence, impact, innovation, integrity, resilience, responsiveness, and transformation. Successful candidates will be committed to and help advance our strategic goal to create and maintain an open and respectful environment to promote inclusivity and diversity as a cornerstone of education, research, and outreach.

Veteran’s Preference Notice:

This position is subject to North Dakota Veteran’s Preference requirements.

Reasonable Accommodation Information

North Dakota State University is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education, and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, please contact Human Resources at 701-231-8961 or ndsu.hr@ndsu.edu.