Associate Extension Agent, 4-H Youth Development - Fairfax County

Virginia AG; Fairfax (VA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Virginia Tech in Fairfax, VA seeks a 4H Youth Development Agent to lead the local 4H program, deliver research-based, hands-on educational experiences, and build partnerships with community groups.

The role involves recruiting and training volunteers, coordinating clubs, camps, and school enrichment programs, and traveling to engage with youth across the county. A BA/BS is required; a master’s degree is preferred. Exempt, regular appointment; salary range listed.

Qualifications

• Excellent communication skills
• Experience planning, conducting, and evaluating education programs
• Ability to recruit, train, and manage volunteers
• Willingness to travel to provide in-person leadership and build partnerships

Responsibilities

• Develops and delivers objective, research-based educational programs for broad audiences
• Leads 4H Youth Development programs and sets goals/objectives
• Identifies, recruits, trains, supports, and manages volunteers
• Networks with agencies and organizations to address youth and family needs
• Coordinates day-to-day activities and events for the 4H program

Skills

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline

Master's degree

Job description

Job Description

Fairfax County boasts a population of over one million people and is located in the Northern Virginia Capitol Region. Fairfax County is rich in opportunities including history, science, recreation and shopping and is a very diverse region to live and work. The Fairfax 4H position will partner with local agencies and volunteers to offer research based programming to all youth in the areas of science, leadership, citizenship and more. The 4H agent will recruit and train volunteers to work across the County. A variety of delivery modes will be employed to work with youth including community clubs, after school programs, inschool enrichment programs, day and overnight camps, and projects.

The 4H Youth Development Agent is a professional educator who provides leadership to the local 4H program and manages its daytoday operation. 4H is a community of young people learning leadership, citizenship, and life skills. The mission of 4H is to develop youth, and adults working with those youth, to realize their full potential and become effective, contributing citizens. This is achieved through the development and delivery of researchbased, nonformal, handson educational experiences.

Responsibilities: Develops and delivers objective, researchbased educational programs to meet the needs of broad audiences, specifies program goals and objectives, and identifies resources needed; provides leadership for 4H Youth Development programs that meet the needs of all youth; identifies, recruits, trains, supports, and manages volunteers to implement and carry out the 4H educational programming in the unit; determines unit program needs by monitoring trends and issues, and conducting unit assessments involving the unit Extension Leadership Council (ELC) and other leadership committees; networks and builds coalitions with other agencies, organizations and institutions to address the complex youth and family issues and the needs of the 4H program; coordinates day-to-day activities and events associated with the unit 4H program including 4H delivery (community 4H clubs, project 4H clubs, school enrichment 4H, afterschool 4H, special interest 4H, and 4H camping).

Extension agents recognize the importance of all communities and broad reach in the development and delivery of Extension programs, actively work to increase program participation of all people. Extension Agents are responsible for VCE's civil rights policies and equal opportunity compliance.

Required Qualifications

Must have a minimum of a bachelor's Degree (BA or BS) in a relevant discipline from an accredited college or university. A master's degree and promotion to Extension Agent are required no later than the sixth year of employment. Knowledge and experience in planning, conducting, and evaluating Extension or nonformal education programs; understanding and ability to conduct community needs assessment to determine program priorities; knowledge of child and human development. Excellent communication skills; basic knowledge in educational technologies and their appropriate use in the development and delivery of educational programs; program marketing skills; knowledge and willingness to involve and manage volunteers in program development and delivery. Extension agents demonstrate flexibility, adaptability; a team-oriented mindset, yet are able to work independently, and; strong desire to help clients succeed.

The person in this position is expected to travel to provide in-person leadership and to build community partnerships with few exceptions for telework.

Virginia Tech is unable to sponsor applicants for work visas for this vacancy.

Preferred Qualifications

A master's degree is preferred.

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Regular

Salary Information

$50,000 - $65,000

Hours per week

40

Close Date

November 17, 2026

Additional Information

The successful candidate will be required to have a driver's license check with an acceptable and safe driving record.

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.

Disability Accommodation

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Morris Whiteat [e-mail] during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.