Extension Agent, 4-H (Assistant, Associate or Full Agent)

NC State Extension Forestry; North Carolina; On-site; USD 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Tuition waiver

Attend sports events for free

Childcare discounts

Wellness & Recreation Membership

Wellness Programs

Job summary

NC State Extension Gaston County Center seeks an Extension Agent, 4-H, at Assistant/Associate/Full Agent level. The role leads 4-H Youth programs for ages 5-19, builds clubs, camps, school enrichment, and coordinates volunteers and grants. Travel, flexible hours, and community partnerships are involved.

Bachelor's degree required; experience in youth development and grants preferred. Compensation includes benefits and professional development opportunities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with a GPA requirement as stated.
• Willing to work evenings and weekends as needed.
• Experience in youth development, volunteer coordination, and grants management.

Responsibilities

• Lead 4-H Youth Development programs, clubs, and school enrichment.
• Recruit, train, and supervise volunteers and staff.
• Develop and manage grants and sponsorships to support programs.
• Partner with schools and communities to deliver youth development activities.

Skills

Leadership

Volunteer management

Grantsmanship

Public relations

Program planning

Evaluation

Teamwork

Communication

Digital skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Doctorate

Job description

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Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Special Instructions To Applicants

In addition to your application, please submit a resume, cover letter and the contact information for at least three (3) professional references.

Posting Details

Position Information

Posting Number PG190886CE Position Number SC-00042706-0812 Position Type NC Cooperative Extension

Department Information

Job City & State Gastonia, NC Department NCCE Gaston County

System Information

Working Title Extension Agent, 4-H (Assistant, Associate or Full Agent) Appointment 12 Month Recurring Job Type Full-Time - Permanent FTE 1.00

Position Information

Position Overview

Essential Job Duties

As a Pack member, you belong here, and can enjoy exclusive perks designed to enhance your personal and professional well-being. What we offer: Health Insurance, Tuition waiver for university coursework, Attend non-revenue-generating sporting events for free.

Attain Work-life balance with our Childcare discounts, Wellness & Recreation Membership, and Wellness Programs that aim to build a thriving wolfpack community.

Disclaimer: Perks and Benefit eligibility is based on Part-Time or Full-Time Employment status. Eligibility and Employer Sponsored Plans can be found within each of the links offered.

The position may be hired at the Assistant, Associate, or Full Agent level if the selected candidate meets the required qualifications.

The 4-H Agent provides leadership for the overall 4-H Youth program, planning, implementing, and evaluating initiatives for youth ages 5 to 19. In this role, the agent establishes and maintains traditional 4-H clubs, school enrichment, summer camps, and after-school programs that engage youth in positive life-skill development. The position will be responsible for working with adult volunteers to design, develop, implement and evaluate programs that meet the needs and interests of youth ages 5-19 to engage them in positive, informal life-skill development activities using a variety of educational methods such as organized 4-H clubs, school enrichment, 4-H summer programs, and after-school programs.

This position also recruits, evaluates, trains and coordinates adult and teen volunteers.

In addition, this position will be responsible for supervising the overall 4-H program, which includes establishing and maintaining 4-H clubs within Gaston County, recruiting and training present and potential volunteers, managing clubs and special programs, and identifying resources to assist in conducting the 4-H program.

Responsibilities will include supervision of program staff and management of programs funded through grants and fees.

Primary Function of Organizational Unit

North Carolina Cooperative Extension gives our residents easy access to the resources and expertise of NC State University and NC A&T State University. Through educational programs, publications, and events, Cooperative Extension field faculty deliver unbiased, research-based information to North Carolina citizens.

The primary function of the N.C. Cooperative Extension – Gaston County Center is to translate research-based knowledge from North Carolina’s land-grant universities (NC State and NC A&T) into practical, real-world solutions that improve the lives, land, and economy of local residents.

Operating as a partnership between federal (USDA), state, and Gaston County governments, the Extension serves as the county’s educational outreach hub. It delivers non-formal education and technical assistance across four core areas: 4-H Youth Development, Agriculture and Commercial Horticulture, Family and Consumer Sciences, and Consumer Horticulture and Natural Resources.

Situated just west of Charlotte, Gaston County blends rapidly growing suburban communities with deeply rooted rural and agricultural traditions. This backdrop creates a high demand for programming that spans traditional livestock and equine clubs alongside contemporary STEM, healthy living, and career-readiness initiatives. Natural assets like Crowders Mountain State Park and the Catawba and South Fork rivers offer rich local resources for hands-on environmental science, conservation, and outdoor leadership projects. Furthermore, strong existing pathways with Gaston County Schools open immediate doors for expanding high-impact school enrichment programs—such as embryology and financial literacy—to a wide variety of youth populations.

Other Duties And Responsibilities

Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage and grow the 4-H Youth Development program through clubs, afterschool programs, school enrichment programs, Super Summer, summer day camps, and traditional 4-H camps.
• Seek out sponsorships, grants, and other funding sources to support activities and programs.
• Ensure the 4-H program is accessible to youth across the county.
• Developing and maintaining 4-H clubs, special interest youth programs, and school enrichment programs.
• Recruiting and managing volunteers as well as evaluating and reporting impacts of program efforts.
• The successful candidate will have a background in digital skills and environmental and animal science to focus on developing those skills in county youth. The applicant must be self-directed and possess a strong work ethic with skills in leadership, communication, grantsmanship, public relations, planning, implementation, and evaluation. As a member of the Gaston County Extension staff, the individual in this position will recognize the importance of teamwork and fully support the total Extension program.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Other Work/Responsibilities

Volunteer recruitment and development experience as well as program development skills will be important. The applicant must be self-directed and possess a strong work ethic.

Experience In Grant Writing And Management Preferred.

Supervisory

Number of Permanent Employees this Position Supervises 0 Percent of Time Spent 0%

Requirements and Preferences

Identify if the Position is Mandatory / Essential / Key Not Applicable Work Schedule Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, evenings and weekends as required. 40 Hours Per Week Minimum Experience/Education

One of the following educational requirements: – A Bachelor’s degree with a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 overall or a 3.0 (based on a 4.0 scale) in child or youth development or related field. The minimum GPA requirement will be waived for NCCE Program Associates with a Bachelor’s degree. – A Bachelor’s degree and the completion of at least one-half of coursework in a Master’s degree curriculum with a cumulative grade point average 3.0 or higher with at least one of the degrees in child or youth development or related field, or – Completion of a Master’s degree with at least one of the degrees in child or youth development or related field.

Department Required Skills

The successful candidate must have experience working with various audiences. Also a Bachelor’s degree in child or youth development or related field. Candidates must be willing to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends and be able to handle multiple tasks and establish priorities. Candidates must be able to work proficiently on an individual basis but be an effective leader as well as subordinate in any situation requiring team effort. The successful candidate will possess the pertinent social skills to communicate effectively.

Preferred Years Experience, Skills, Training, Education

Knowledge of the developmental needs of children ages 5-19 is a plus

Required License or Certification

Valid Driver’s License and reliable, personal transportation required. Valid North Carolina driver’s license is required within 60 days of hire and must be maintained.

Valid NC Driver's License required? Yes Commercial Driver's License Required? No Physical Required? No List any other medical/drug tests required

Recruitment

Recruitment Details

Anticipated Hiring Range Minimum Bachelor's $40,000; Minimum Master's $45,000; Minimum Doctorate $50,000 Commensurate with experience Internal Transfer Only No

Recruitment Dates

Job Open Date 08/10/2026

Applicant Information

Quick Link https://jobs.ncsu.edu/postings/233173 EEO

NC State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal opportunities for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, and veteran status. The University encourages all qualified applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities, to apply. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-513-0574 to speak with a representative of the Office of Equal Opportunity.

If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at [phone] or [e-mail].

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks as well as county-required background checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit.

NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * How did you learn of this opportunity?
• NCSU Website
• Job Alert (automated email from our system)
• NCSU Executive Search Services
• Monster.com
• CareerBuilder.com
• InsideHigherEd.com
• HigherEdJobs.com
• Other Online Job Board
• Carolina Job Finder / Employment Guide
• Job / Career Fair
• The Chronicle of Higher Education
• Professional Journal
• Print Advertisement (Newspaper / Periodical)
• Radio / Television Advertisement
• Professional Organization
• Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (HERC)
• Direct Contact from NCSU HR Representative / Recruiter
• NCSU Employee Referral
• Social Media (LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Other)
• Other
• * If you learned about this vacancy from "other source" or "other website", please provide the source. (Open Ended Question)
• * All agent positions require a minimum education requirement of: A. A Bachelor's degree with a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 overall or 3.0 in major field of study (based on a 4.0 scale); B. A Bachelor's degree and the completion of at least one-half of coursework in a Master's degree curriculum with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher; C. A completed Master's degree. Do you meet this minimum education requirement?
• Yes, I meet the requirement listed in section A above.
• Yes, I meet the requirement listed in section B above.
• Yes, I meet the requirement listed in section C above.
• No, however I am in my last semester of study.
• No, I do not meet this requirement.
• * Please give detailed examples of your qualifications and work, school, and other experiences in the following competency. Youth and Adult Development--The knowledge of the growth and development process over the life span and its application in the creation of environments which optimize human potential. (Open Ended Question)
• * Please give detailed examples of your qualifications and work, school, and other experiences in the following competency. Volunteerism for Youth Development--The integration of knowledge related to adult and youth development, organizational systems, volunteer research, and management practices to build and maintain volunteer management systems for the delivery of youth development programs. (Open Ended Question)
• * Please give detailed examples of your qualifications and work, school, and other experiences in the following competency. Organizational Systems for Youth Development--The knowledge of organizational systems and resource management practices that lead organizations to the fulfillment of their missions. (Open Ended Question)
• * Please give detailed examples of your qualifications and work, school, and other experiences in the following competency. Partnerships for Youth Development--The knowledge of the process and contextual factors which enhance the ability of community members to work together to improve the quality of life for youth and their families. (Open Ended Question)
• * Please give detailed examples of your qualifications and work, school, and other experiences in the following competency. Learning strategies for Youth Development--The knowledge of theory and its application in the design and evaluation of learning experience for positive youth development. (Open Ended Question)

  Application Materials Required

  Required Documents

  • Resume
  • Cover Letter
  • Contact Information for References

  Optional Documents