Assistant Dean, 4-H Youth Development - University of Illinois : Job Details

Assistant Dean, 4-H Youth Development University of Illinois Extension WE TRANSFORM LIVES.Everything we do is designed toimprove the quality of life of the people in the state of Illinois, across thenation, and around the world. We discover, develop, translate, and disseminateknowledge to address societal concerns and train the next generation of expertsand leaders in a way that empowers them to expand the boundaries of science tohigher levels of understanding and influence. Be a part of our story. Through learning partnershipsthat extend knowledge and change lives, University of Illinois Extensionprovides educational programs aimed at making life better, healthier, safer,and more profitable for individuals and their communities. Illinois Extensionhas operated continuously for more than 100 years connecting the citizens ofIllinois to their land-grant university by providing educational programmingaround the state. University of Illinois Extension is based in the College ofACES and works with all colleges and units of the University of Illinois atUrbana-Champaign. The Assistant Dean / ProgramLeader and Director of 4-H Youth Development (Assistant Dean, 4-H YouthDevelopment) serves as a regular, full-time, 12-month academic professionalwith primary responsibility for leading and developing statewide educational programmingin positive youth development. The Assistant Dean for 4-H Youth Developmentsupports one of the six core Extension program areas and within the 4-H YouthDevelopment program area will focus on one or more of the followinginterdisciplinary strategic priorities: Community, Economy, Environment, Foodand Agriculture, Health, Partnerships, Technology and Discovery and / orWorkforce Excellence. The Assistant Dean for 4-H YouthDevelopment provides innovative and visionary organizational leadership tostatewide youth programming, including fostering interdisciplinary teamefforts, implementing and evaluating Extension research-based programs, andacquisition, leadership and coordination of revenue generation opportunities insupport of societal and economic needs and issues of Illinois. The AssistantDean for 4-H Youth Development provides leadership in building relationshipsand reporting outcomes to regional and county directors, local, state andnational legislators and other stakeholders. The incumbent provides leadershipto Extension's volunteer delivery system and provides summaries of the value ofvolunteers and 4-H Youth Development program outcomes and impacts. The AssistantDean for 4-H Youth Development will be expected to lead and deliverresearch-based educational programs and to work within team settings that mayconsist of other Extension leaders and faculty within and outside the Collegeof Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES). Establishment of aprogram of work based on community-based needs assessments is essential toprovide clear directions, partnerships and collaborations to successfully solvestatewide problems. This position will be located in Urbana-Champaign at theState 4-H Office and within approximately two years, on the University ofIllinois campus and will report to the Associate Dean and Director of Extensionand Outreach, and will be available to all of Illinois Extension. The incumbentwill provide leadership and coordination to ongoing and innovative 4-H andyouth development programs carried out across the state by over 50 academicyouth development educators, 100+ civil service staff and 25,000 volunteersreaching over 200,000 youth annually through 4-H clubs, collaborative communityeducation programs and change initiatives, camps, conferences and otherinnovative programs that address the needs of Illinois' youth. One full time position isavailable. Location: Champaign, IL (Position will be located at the State4-H Office) This is a security-sensitiveposition. Comprehensive backgroundchecks, including but not limited to a criminal conviction information check, aCANTS check, and a review of the Registered Sex Offender list, will beconducted. Duties and Responsibilities:Program Development,Delivery and Evaluation

• Develop through participatorystrategies an innovative statewide program of work in response to county /regional needs, as well as emerging state and national issues; collaborativelycoordinate statewide needs assessments with the Associate Dean and Director ofExtension, Assistant Deans / Program Leaders and Associate Directors forRegions (ADRs); encourage the acceptance of 4-H youth development plans andrecommendations from Extension personnel.
• Oversee curriculum development orthe acquisition of research-based curriculum and basic educational materials toaddress the program needs of the state, ensuring a strong research-basedfoundation; guide Extension staff and volunteers in its use.
• Develop collaborations andnetworks with academic units and other departments on campus and outside theUniversity system that address the needs of Illinois youth.
• Serve as liaison to Extensiondevelopment teams that address youth issues; effectively collaborate withfaculty Extension specialists to deliver programs and information regarding 4-HYouth Development.
• Provide leadership for buildingrelationships with state, multi-state, national and international stakeholders,organizations and constituents.
• Provide information on state 4-HYouth Development programs to leaders of state agencies serving youth and otherappropriate groups. Coordinate programs with these agencies when jointsponsorship seems feasible.
• Address urban and rural needs inpositive youth development by collaborating with others.
• Identify and / or develop appropriateprogram evaluation and assessment methods and tools to continuously improve 4-HYouth Development educational programs, trainings and offerings; conducttrainings of the use of each method and tool to effectively evaluate outcomes.
• Collect, analyze and disseminateprogram outcomes and impact on a local, regional, state and national level; usedata to drive decision making.
• Provide leadership to thedevelopment, delivery and assessment of research-based in-service educationopportunities to ensure continual education of campus and field educators andstaff regarding program development, delivery and evaluation.
• Implement and support a statewidemarketing plan for 4-H Youth Development, including engaging in publicrelations and constituent relations opportunities.
• Communicate the need forcross-regional and interdisciplinary collaboration and program delivery tostaff, stakeholders and constituents.
• Provide oversight to adultvolunteers working with 4-H Youth Development programs, in collaboration withthe Workforce Development team; work with University legal counsel, riskmanagement personnel and Extension staff to maintain acceptable risk managementand child protection policies.
• Develop strategies forrecruitment, training, retention and recognition of volunteers.
• Work and meet at least annuallywith the state advisory committee for volunteers and youth.
• Serve as program director, primaryinvestigator or co-investigator for grants and other funding opportunities toensure utilization of organizational resources are consistent with criticalprogram priorities; write grants as needed.
• Collaborate with Extension facultyspecialists, principal investigators, ADRs, and county directors regardinglocal participation on grant-funded projects.
• Develop, lead and coordinateinnovative revenue-generating opportunities for Illinois Extension related topositive youth development.
• Participate in statewide Extensionactivities as assigned by the Associate Dean and Director of Extension.
• Lead and / or actively participateon organizational committees / teams such as Extension Leadership Team, newemployee orientation, technology systems, in-service education programs, etc.as needed or requested.
• Participate in meetings with theExtension State Advisory Council (ESAC) by providing leadership to ESAC inmaking state and national legislative contacts to advance Extension's programsand funding.
• Maintain constructive workingrelationships with the Illinois Extension staff, Illinois ExtensionProfessionals for Youth Education (IEPYE) network, and National Association of Extension4-H Youth Development Professionals.
• Engage in National 4-H Councilpriorities as appropriate and relevant for Illinois Extension.
• Participate in professionalimprovement opportunities when appropriate to the role of Assistant Dean /Program Leader and the Extension profession.
• Conduct all activities inaccordance with the Civil Rights Act, Title IX, Rehabilitation, Americans withDisabilities Act, and the University of Illinois Affirmative Action and EqualEmployment Opportunity Plan.

Personnel

• Supervise the academicprofessional and civil service staff in the State 4-H Office, including hiring,training, coaching, motivating, etc.; coordinate performance evaluation ofthese staff, requesting input from academic field staff.
• Co-supervise, with the College ofACES, Office of Advancement, and oversee the work and activities of the primaryfundraiser for 4-H Youth Development.
• Collaborate with the AssociateDean and Director of Extension and Extension administrative team to determinestatewide position priorities, create a staffing plan and position descriptionsfor 4-H Youth Development.
• Participate in the recruitment,review of applications and selection of Extension staff and specifically 4-YYouth Development academic professionals; explore opportunities to connect withcampus-based staff to address statewide programming needs and emerging trendsin the field of youth development.
• Assist in determining statewideperformance expectations for academic professional and civil service staffwithin the program area, including quantity, quality, impact, outcomes,audience and reporting.
• Support the supervision of fieldacademic professional and civil service staff, as well as the 4-H volunteersthroughout Illinois; provide input to county directors in consultation withrespective ADRs for academic professional staff members regarding annualperformance evaluations that may include program quality, quantity, outcomes,impact, and reporting or other issues related to job responsibilities asneeded.
• Encourage and ensure scholarshipof academic staff who make creative intellectual contributions to theirprofession.

• Engage as a constructive leaderand team member for Illinois Extension.

Reporting

• Prepare required plans of work andstate annual reports for 4-H Youth Development.
• Report outcomes / accomplishmentsin 4-H Youth Development for use in state and national reports.
• Assist in marketing educationalprograms and reports to highlight the work and accomplishments of the 4-H YouthDevelopment program area.
• Demonstrate to stakeholders theimportance of volunteer delivered programs to achieve high program quality,program expansion and program impact.

• Support the online reportingsystem by working with the director of program planning and assessment togather critical information to determine program outreach efforts andaccomplishments in 4-H Youth Development.

Fiscal

• Provide fiscal oversight of the4-H Youth Development program area by managing and directing the financialoperations of the State 4-H Office, including budgets, monitoring financialactivities, approving expenditures and developing needs reports.
• Provide leadership andaccountability to the operation, administration, and development of resourcesto enhance the 4-H Youth Development programs throughout Illinois, including providingleadership in revenue generation for obtaining grants, contracts and fees.
• Coordinate with the Illinois 4-HFoundation, local 4-H foundations, and the College of ACES Office ofAdvancement in generating and managing gifts and endowments.
• Establish and maintain formalpartnerships and collaborations to enable external funding opportunities on astate, multi-state, national and international level.

• Ensure University of IllinoisExtension fiscal policies are followed.

Other Information

• Comply with all University ofIllinois Extension Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity policies andguidelines in all aspects of Extension and Outreach work, assists as requestedwith data collection for Affirmative Action, Gender, and Targeted reports.
• Assume additional relatedresponsibilities to enhance the mission of Illinois Extension.

Physical Demands 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 forsecuring personal transportation. A valid driver's license ispreferred. Some work will be required during evenings and/orweekends. 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 thefunctions of this position, the employee may be subjected to various mental andphysical demands as well to include, but not limited to, independentlytraveling to and performing work at different locations, ability to move,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 andpulling movements. More detailed information regarding the functions of thisposition (including the physical, mental, and environmental requirements of theposition) may be obtained from Human Resources for the College of Agricultural,Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) by contacting [email protected]. Administrative and ProgrammaticRelationship The Assistant Dean, 4-H YouthDevelopment is administratively and programmatically responsible to theAssociate Dean and Director, Extension and Outreach. Minimum QualificationsEducation:

• Earned doctorate from an accredited institution of higher education. Appropriate fields of study include those related to education, including agricultural, family and consumer sciences, or Extension, adult education, educational leadership or administration, non-profit administration or child, youth, or human development.

Experience:

• Ten (10) years of successful and progressive experience in program development in the area of youth development.
• Experience organizing and directing statewide programs and leading and managing teams.
• Experience directing programs pointed toward the resolution of cultural, social, technical and economic problems.
• Demonstrated ability to secure funding from public and/or private sources.
• Experience working with external constituencies, volunteer delivery systems and a variety of audiences.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ability to be eligible for a 0% adjunct appointment in at least one of the eight College of ACES academic units.
• Experience in educational delivery in subject content of positive youth development and with information delivery through various technologies.
• Knowledge, understanding, experience and leadership with AI technologies.
• Experience collaborating with community organizations to develop innovative programs and activities.
• Experience with 4-H operations.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Understanding of and commitment to the land-grant university mission. Knowledge of the organization, objectives, policies and programs of the Cooperative Extension Service. Understanding of rural and urban issues upon which educational programs in 4-H are determined. Experience developing programs for major metropolitan areas. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work within a team environment. Ability to work with a variety of audiences and to be inclusive. Ability to collaborate with other youth-serving organizations to develop programs and activities. Ability to build and maintain a variety of networks. Cultural competency. Knowledge of grantsmanship and developing external revenue generating opportunities with successful outcomes.

AppointmentInformation Sponsorshipfor work authorization is not available for this position. This position is a full-time, benefits-eligible, non-tenure academicprofessional position appointed on a 12-month service basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after theclosing date. The previously determined salary range for this positionwas $135,000 to $150,000. We strive to provide a competitive salary while takinginto consideration internal equity, candidate experience and qualifications, aswell as budget constraints. The final salary offer will be determined through acalculation involving these elements. It is not typical for an individual to beoffered a salary at the top of the full range for this position. ApplicationProcedures & Deadline InformationApplications must bereceived by 6:00 pm (CST) on August 14, 2025 (extended). Apply for this position usingthe Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. Please upload a resume, cover letter, andthe names and contact information for three professional references. Resumedates submitted must be in month/year format and employment history, ata minimum, should include all work dating back to the completion of yourundergraduate degree. Positions that were less than full-time/100% must benoted as being part-time. Transcripts may be requested at a later date. Applications not submitted through will not be considered. For furtherinformation about this specific position, please contact search chair Sarah Low at [email protected]. For questionsregarding the application process, please contact 217-###-####. The University of Illinois offers a very competitive benefits portfolio, depending on the position. Click for a complete list of Employee Benefits. 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 accommodations portal, or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-###-####, or by emailing [email protected]. Requisition ID: 1031116 Job Category: Off-Campus Apply at: