4-H Program Educator

University of Wisconsin-Madison; Oshkosh (WI); On-site; USD 55,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Wisconsin-Madison seeks an Outreach Specialist as part of the 4-H Program Educator within the Division of Extension Wisconsin 4-H Program. The role provides leadership for county-based 4-H programming, focusing on administration, volunteer management, and education advocacy.

Responsibilities include program administration, risk and policy oversight, and building external partnerships to expand 4-H opportunities.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in programming and/or service delivery related to youth development
• Demonstrated ability to effectively work with people from a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives
• Demonstrated experience managing and/or supervising volunteers and/or staff
• Ability to apply relevant policies, procedures and regulations including reporting requirements and risk and data management
• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to build and maintain professional work environments

Responsibilities

• Leads the implementation of programs, policies, and procedures through oversight of day-to-day activities for program staff and student and community volunteers
• Identifies, promotes, and maintains external partnerships to support the outreach program
• Schedules and secures resources and communicates logistics in support of an outreach program
• Delivers outreach program content and materials to community members
• Communicates plans, activities, and achievements to the Area Extension Director, program managers, and any other relevant stakeholders
• Researches, develops, and facilitates outreach program content and materials
• Develops and evaluates curriculum and programs and provides recommendations for improvement
• May assist with the monitoring of outreach program budget spending

Skills

Youth development

Diversity & inclusion

Volunteer management

Policy & risk mgmt

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Master's degree in related field

Job description

Job Profile:

Outreach Specialist

Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process.

Job Category:

Academic Staff

Employment Type:

Regular

Job Profile:

Outreach Specialist

Job Summary:

The 4-H Program Educator is a part of the Division of Extension Wisconsin 4-H Program, which is housed within the Positive Youth Development (PYD) Institute. The 4-H Program Educator provides overall leadership and direction for a county-based 4-H program. This position includes three primary roles: 1) Program Administration, 2) Volunteer Management, 3) Education and Youth Advocacy.

Program Administration*

• Provides leadership to the county 4-H program focused on expanding 4-Hmembership and ensuring quality membership experiences.
• Responsible for assuring that all programs bearing the 4-H name and emblem are consistent with the purpose, vision, and values of the Wisconsin 4-H program including chartered 4-H clubs and groups.
• Responsible for providing oversight for all 4-H programs in regard to policy and risk management.
• Collaborates with other organizations to expand 4-H programming opportunities.

Volunteer Management*

• Manage volunteers that deliver 4-H programming.
• Establishes and maintains a comprehensive 4-H volunteer development and management system that includes: identification, selection, orientation and training, utilization, recognition, and evaluation.
• Provides ongoing coaching and support to volunteers in delivery of 4-H programs.
• Ensures compliance with Wisconsin 4-H, UW-Madison Division of Extension, and USDA policies and procedures.

Education and Youth Advocacy*

• Utilizes a variety of delivery methods to provide resources and teach content in youth development, organization development, and volunteer development.
• Serves as the connection to the educational resources of Wisconsin4-H, UW-Madison Division of Extension, and the USDA.
• Supports youth engagement and leadership in 4-H clubs, groups, programs, projects and activities.
• Facilitates the positive development of young people through 4-H programs, projects and activities.
• The amount of time that is spent in each of these roles is dependent on the needs of the specific county-based 4-H program.

County Location

The main office for this position is located in Oshkosh, WI, and the primary programming focus is Winnebago County; however, some programming may also be conducted over a broader geographical area.

In Person

It is anticipated this position requires work be performed in-person, onsite, at a designated campus work location.

Evening/Weekend Work

This position may be required to work occasional nights and weekends to meet the program needs and priorities of the communities served.

Travel Expectations

It is expected that employees will make individual arrangements for transportation adequate to meet position responsibilities and essential job functions. Read more about UW-Madison Driver Authorization.

Applicants are required to: Have a valid drivers license and a reliable source of independent transportation for periodic in-state work travel, and/or comply with requirements for UW-Madison vehicle use authorization.

Physical Requirements

Ability to lift 30 pounds with assistance

Key Job Responsibilities

• Leads the implementation of programs, policies, and procedures through oversight of day-to-day activities for program staff and student and community volunteers
• Identifies, promotes, and maintains external partnerships to support the outreach program
• Schedules and secures resources and communicates logistics in support of an outreach program
• Delivers outreach program content and materials to community members

Communicates plans, activities, and achievements to the Area Extension Director, program managers, and any other relevant stakeholders.

• Researches, develops, and facilitates outreach program content and materials
• Develops and evaluates curriculum and programs and provides recommendations for improvement
• May assist with the monitoring of outreach program budget spending

Department:

About Extension

Extension embodies the Wisconsin Idea by developing and connecting the research and educational resources of UW–Madison with residents and communities to address local, statewide, and national issues. We teach, learn, lead and serve, transforming lives and communities.

About The Institute

The Extension Institute of Positive Youth Development prepares the youth of today to become the effective, empathic adults of tomorrow. Our research-based youth enrichment programs like teens in governance build youth and adult capacity that help both sides grow. 4-H clubs, camps and afterschool programs give young people the hands-on experiences they need to develop an understanding of themselves and the world.

Compensation

The minimum annual (12 months) starting salary for the position is $60,795.00 but is negotiable based on experience and qualifications

Benefits

Employees in this position can expect to receive benefits such as generous vacation, holidays, and paid time off; competitive insurances and savings accounts; retirement benefits. Benefits information can be found at (https://hr.wisc.edu/benefits/)

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in programming and/or service delivery related to youth development
• Demonstrated ability to effectively work with people from a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives
• Demonstrated experience managing and/or supervising volunteers and/or staff
• Ability to apply relevant policies, procedures and regulations including reporting requirements and risk and data management
• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to build and maintain professional work environments

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting youth development, educational, community-based, nonprofit, Extension, or volunteer-focused programs
• Two years of experience leading, managing and/or evaluating educational programs
• Ability to work cooperatively with other agencies, community-based services, or organizations to address educational needs.
• Demonstrated ability to resolve conflict

Education

Required Education

Bachelors Degree in a field related to this position's focus

Preferred Education

Master Degree in a field related to this position's focus

Application Deadline is October 1, 2026 at 11:59pm (CDT).

Institutional Statement on Diversity

Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgrounds and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, visit the Human Resources Workplace Poster website.

To request a disability or pregnancy-related accommodation for any step in the hiring process (e.g., application, interview, pre-employment testing, etc.), please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR) in the division you are applying to. Please make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you.

Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including sexual violence and sexual harassment.

The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).

The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department.