4-H Ag Education Assistant / Extension Program Worker

MSU Careers Recent Jobs; Detroit (MI); On-site; USD 21,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Michigan State University Extension is seeking a youth program facilitator to provide hands-on agriculture education for K-12 youth in Wayne County, including Detroit. You will deliver National Agriculture in the Classroom content and coordinate in-school and after-school activities.

You will work with the Wayne County MSU Extension 4-H team to engage youth ages 5–19, promote participation, and model inclusive, respectful interactions while ensuring safety and logistics are managed on-site.

Qualifications

• Must be 18 years or older and some experience working with youth.
• Experience with Agriculture is a plus.
• Proven ability to build networks across diverse communities.
• Ability to lift and carry materials up to 25 lbs.
• Excellent oral and written communication; travel may be required.

Responsibilities

• Provide hands-on educational opportunities for youth related to agriculture.
• Deliver programs in Wayne County, including Detroit.
• Initiate outreach to unreached audiences through in-school and after-school programming.
• Ensure safety of children, visitors and staff; assist with setup and breakdown.
• Support MSU Extension 4-H youth programming and participation.

Skills

Youth engagement

Communication skills

Diversity & inclusion

Public speaking

Travel willingness

Tools

Zoom

Qualtrics

Microsoft Teams

Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Outlook

Job description

Position Summary(Basic Job Function)

:

In alignment with the mission, programs and initiatives of MSU Extension, delivers research-based information to program participants through various methods and/or provides support and coordination of MSU Extension programs.

Unit Position Summary

Michigan State University Extension is committed to fostering a welcoming and collaborative environment, which requires all staff to contribute toward a vision for success regardless of title or position within the organization. We strive to create a positive culture, access to resources, and a sense of belonging for staff, partners, and programming participants. This means that all staff at MSU Extension are dedicated to the following:

• We work together to ensure that programming is available to all audiences, creates meaningful and positive impacts for participants, and demonstrates partnership and collaboration across communities.
• We understand that a welcoming and respectful environment is built through the efforts of everyone.
• We foster an environment that welcomes a broad range of perspectives and experiences, ensuring that all individuals have the opportunity to contribute and thrive.
• We ensure that every team member is prepared with the skills and resources to contribute to our welcoming and supportive culture.
• We foster an environment that values a range of perspectives, skills, and experiences by working to ensure access to programming for communities.
• We commit to continuous learning and engagement to better serve Michigan residents and meet the evolving needs of communities.
• We recognize that broad accessibility and collaboration are essential elements of our work and are vital to organizational and programmatic success.
• We embrace a culture of understanding, coaching, and feedback toward achieving a vision of success for the entire organization and its staff.
• Together we will achieve success and we commit to these goals in our work, continued education, and ongoing efforts.

Position Summary:

Provide hands on educational opportunities for youth related to agriculture; Improve agriculture literacy, awareness, knowledge and appreciation of agriculture as it affects quality of life among K-12 students. Will primarily use National Agriculture in the Classroom curriculum (includes lesson plans and resources). Will deliver programs in Wayne County, including Detroit. Will be responsible for initiating efforts to the unreached through in-school, after-school and short term/special interest programming.

As a Wayne County MSU Extension 4-H team member, you will conduct direct programming with youth (5 - 19 yrs), encourage participation in activities, interact effectively with children and display initiative and resourcefulness in promoting interest in a variety of activities.

Other duties include: ensuring safety of children, visitors and co-workers, facilitating setup, breakdown, check-ins, on site presence or other duties or projects as assigned by the supervisor.

Desired Qualifications

• Must be 18 years or older and some experience with working with youth and/or volunteering.
• Experience with Agriculture is a plus.
• Proven ability in establishing and working with a network of constituents and community members across race, gender, national origin, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, veteran status, socioeconomic class, disabilities, and other differences.
• Demonstrated success in program development and delivery to audiences/communities representative of the communities we serve, and proven ability in establishing and working with a network of constituents and community members across race, color, gender, national origin, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, veteran status, socioeconomic class, and other differences.
• Understanding of and ability to implement Civil Rights principles and compliance standards.
• Combination of education and specific, relevant experience may be considered in lieu of degree.
• Ability to lift and carry educational materials, equipment, etc. up to 25 lbs.
• Ability to demonstrate sensitivity, knowledge, and use of appropriate approaches, skills and techniques, which reflect an understanding and awareness of social, cultural and economic diversity of the target population served.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Travel in local and surrounding communities and occasional long-distance travel are required as a regular part of this position.
• Transportation is the responsibility of the employee.
• Proficiency in use of technology (e.g., web research, Zoom, Qualtrics, Microsoft Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook for mail/calendaring, distance technology, etc.).
• Other skills and/or physical abilities required to perform duties of the position.

Required application materials:

Resume, Cover Letter, 3 Professional References

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Work Hours

ON-CALL

Advertised: Aug 10, 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: Aug 30, 2026 Eastern Daylight Time