Assistant Program Leader, 4-H Positive Youth Development

Laseagrant; Champaign (IL); Hybrid; USD 105,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Illinois Extension seeks a seasoned leader to oversee the State 4-H Office’s youth development program components in Champaign, IL. The role involves guiding staff, shaping annual plans, and ensuring program quality across 102 counties and metro areas.

The position emphasizes strategic leadership, collaboration with university partners, and advancing evidence-based curricula while maintaining compliance with civil rights and Equal Employment Opportunities standards.

Qualifications

• Masters degree required; PhD preferred but not required at interview stage.
• Experience mentoring and supporting interdisciplinary teams.
• Experience in strategic program planning and leadership.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct supervision to the Specialists and Associates in the Illinois State 4-H Office.
• Supervise events and communications planning for Illinois 4-H staff.
• Lead statewide program staff in annual work plans and performance appraisals.
• Provide professional development to staff aligned with the State 4-H Office strategy.
• Collaborate with Senior Program Leads to ensure data, finance, HR and branding alignment.

Skills

Mentoring

Interdisciplinary teams

Strategic planning

Education

Master’s degree in youth development, education, social work or related field

PhD in a related field

Job description

University of Illinois Extension

WHOWE ARE As partof the Land Grant system, the University of Illinois was established not onlyto provide world class education and pioneer research and discovery, but to putlearning and discovery into practice, to benefit the health and wellbeing ofresidents and communities in every part of Illinois. Extension is theuniversity’s statewide network of educators, faculty experts, and staffdedicated to that mission. To learn more about University of IllinoisExtension, visit https://extension.illinois.edu/global/who-we-are.
OUR COMMITMENT TO EMPLOYEES We will invest in our employees,our most important resource, by providing professional development and trainingthat enables you to learn and grow to your full potential. We will strive toprovide a healthy work-life balance for all our employees, regardless of role.Together, we will maintain a culture that promotes inclusivity, teamwork, andan environment that challenges and rewards our employees.
JOB PURPOSE Oversee the positive youthdevelopment program components of the University of Illinois Extension 4-HYouth Development program. The position is part of the State 4-H Office basedin Champaign, IL that provides strategic program leadership for 4-H activitiesdelivered by staff in all 102 counties and metro areas of the state. Thisposition will be responsible for providing strategic leadership for programmingand strategic goal planning that reaches nearly 260,000 across the state andsupervise all 4-H program staff in the State 4-H Office.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in youth development, education, social work or related field. Candidates with a Master’s degree in progress may be considered for interviews, but degree must be completed by hire date.
• At least five (5) years of full-time relevant professional experience.
• Experience mentoring and supporting interdisciplinary teams.
• Experience in strategic program planning.

Preferred Qualifications:

• PhD in a related field.
• Demonstrated progressive, innovative, and effective program leadership/management.
• Familiarity with 4-H youth programs.
• Valid driver’s license.

SPECIFICJOB INFORMATION: One full-time positions is available. Location: Champaign, IL (Position will be located at the State 4-H Office) In-state hybrid work may be available with supervisor authorization andin compliance with Extension and university policies.

THIS IS A SECURITY-SENSITIVE POSITION. Comprehensive background checks, including but not limited to a criminalconviction information check, a CANTS check, and a review of the Registered SexOffender list, will be conducted.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Supervision and Management:

• Provide direct supervision to the Specialists and Associates (10 direct reports) in the Illinois State 4-H Office. (STEM, Natural Resources & Shooting Sports, Creative & Cultural Arts, College & Career Readiness, Leadership, Healthy Living, Livestock/Animal Science, Food Systems, New Audiences & Outreach, Club Support & Awards)
• Supervise the Events and Communications Coordinator and provide direction in the planning of key events for Illinois 4-H staff.
• Direct state program staff in developing annual plan of work and conduct annual performance appraisals; manage and support the Specialist promotional pathway process for direct reports.
• Provide professional development opportunities to staff to enhance collaboration and connection to the Illinois Extension strategic plan and National 4-H initiatives; assist in planning and leading State 4-H staff meetings.
• Collaborate with the Senior Program Leads and Managers within the State 4-H Office as a team to ensure staff development, data collection and evaluation, financial operations, human resource management, alumni engagement, and marketing/branding opportunities.

Strategic Program Planning and Development:

• Provide leadership to ongoing and innovative 4-H youth development programs programmatically led by Specialists/Associates in the State 4-H Office.
• Lead and guide project curriculum/resource development and updates and statewide signature programs and events in partnership with administrative staff.
• Supervise and manage a statewide, peer-review process to support creation of evidence-based curriculum and programs to address the needs of the state, ensuring a strong research-based foundation.
• Lead an intentional charge to be accessible to all youth of Illinois, in accordance with the Civil Rights Act, Title IX, Rehabilitation, Americans with Disabilities Act, and the University of Illinois Extension affirmative action and Equal Employment Opportunities Program.
• Chair and lead the National 4-H Council Beyond Ready initiative in partnership with the Assistant Dean/Program Leader and Director of 4-H Youth Development (Assistant Dean, 4-H Youth Development; lead the statewide leadership team to operationalize action related to statewide priorities.

Relationships and Partnerships:

• Support the Assistant Dean, 4-H Youth Development in the development of a statewide program plan and annual budget request in response to county/regional needs, as well as emerging state and national issues.
• Monitor and facilitate collaboration and strong working relationships between state and county 4-H staff in support of Illinois 4-H program goals; create feedback loop with county 4-H staff to identify and respond to club and program support needs.
• Collaborate with the Illinois 4-H Director to support state staff engagement to develop collaborations and networks with other departments on campus and outside the University system that address the needs of Illinois youth. Provide leadership for building relationships with state, multi-state, national and international stakeholders, organizations and constituents.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Advise the Assistant Dean, 4-H Youth Development and staff in identifying and responding to emerging opportunities to expand and strengthen positive youth development outcomes for youth in all 102 counties.
• Represent Illinois 4-H in statewide Extension and national activities as assigned by the Assistant Dean, 4-H Youth Development.
• Perform other duties that contribute to the mission of University of Illinois Extension as assigned.
• Assist staff with gathering program participant demographic information to ensure compliance with civil rights reporting requirements.

Physical Demands / Working Conditions When working, the employee may be exposed to a variety ofenvironmental factors to include, but not limited to, hot or cold weather,exposure to noise and allergens, and uneven ground. In performing the functions of this position,the employee may be subjected to various physical demands including ability tomove, transfer and/or transport items that may occasionally weigh up to forty(40) pounds and frequently weigh up to twenty (20) pounds, and twisting,pushing and pulling movements.

Work Schedule, Travel, Or Other Job Expectations To perform the functions of this position, the employee willbe required to perform work both within an office and outside in thecommunities that are served and must have the capability to travel from onelocation to the other in a timely fashion. Employee is responsible for securing personal transportation. Some workwill be required during evenings and/or weekends.

Administrative Relationship The Assistant Program Leader isadministratively responsible to the Assistant Dean, 4-H Youth Development, andis a member of the State 4-H Office staff.

Appointment Information This position is not eligible for any type of sponsorship for workauthorization. This position is a full-time, benefits-eligible, non-tenureacademic professional position appointed on a 12-month service basis. The expected start date is as soon aspossible after the closing date. The previouslydetermined salary range for this position was $105,000 to $120,000. We strive toprovide a competitive salary while taking into consideration internal equity,candidate experience and qualifications, as well as budget constraints. Thefinal salary offer will be determined through a calculation involving theseelements. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at the topof the full range for this position.

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (CST) on October 16, 2026.

For further information about the positionsplease contact Search Chair Janice McCoy at [e-mail]. For questionsregarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits . This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify .

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodation portal , or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885, option #1, or [e-mail] .

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