4-H Youth and Families Program Leader - Kingston, NY

If you love connecting with community partners, developing responsive, innovative youth and families programming, and working with volunteers and youth 5-19 years old, this is the job for you! Help shape the future of Ulster County youth and families by applying for the 4-H Youth and Families Program Leader position. We seek a visionary, resourceful, fun Leader capable of translating positive youth development research to our community, who also isn’t afraid of getting their hands dirty at the Ulster County Fair.

The Cornell Cooperative Extension Ulster County 4-H Youth and Families Program Leader will provide overall, complex program and administrative leadership for all educational programming efforts and activities for the 4-H Youth and Families program. This position is responsible for sustainably funding current and future parenting and community resilience programs through diverse options including grant-writing, fee-for-service, and development revenue streams. The position has oversight of all delivery methods, including the 4-H Club program, specialized programs, the Relatives as Parents Program, grant-funded and fee-for-service programs.

The Program Leader is responsible for and provides leadership of program assessment, evaluation, development, and delivery as well as direction, management and coordination of all programming efforts including recruiting, training, managing and supporting volunteers. This position will also ensure that the educational programs reflect the current needs and the diversity of people in relevant Counties, and that programs conform to the objectives and mission of Cornell Cooperative Extension and the Association.

    

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Youth Development, Education, or closely related discipline.
• 4 years of relevant work experience. PHD may substitute for 2 years’ experience.
• Demonstrated experience in effective supervision and management.
• Demonstrated experience with fund development, management, and grant writing.
• Demonstrated experience and ability to work independently and as part of a team with internal and external partners at multiple levels within organizations and across communities.
• Demonstrated ability to initiate, implement, plan, organize, teach, and evaluate informal educational programs through a variety of delivery methods to reach diverse audiences.
• Ability to work flexible hours which include evenings and weekends.
• Ability and willingness to work with and expand our reach to diverse audiences.
• Ability to effectively communicate and speak publicly.
• Knowledge of the principles, theory, research, and application of youth and family development.
• Ability to effectively lead, manage, and participate in professional team efforts and highly functioning work teams. 
• Ability to relate effectively to co-workers, advisors, community, professional leaders, elected officials and other key stakeholders.
• Ability to identify and make use of program resources within the community and to establish a leadership role within the community and association.
• Ability and willingness to work with a high degree of integrity, accuracy, organization, sound professional judgment, and the ability to handle confidential, sensitive information.
• Ability to organize, manage, and prioritize multiple tasks, deadlines, requirements, and priorities to complete work in a timely manner and within established deadlines.
• Ability to identify and secure funding that supports programs, including grant writing, developing public and private partnerships.
• Ability and willingness to work with a high degree of integrity, accuracy, organization, sound professional judgment, and the ability to handle confidential, sensitive information.
• Ability to organize, manage, and prioritize multiple tasks, deadlines, requirements, and priorities to complete work in a timely manner and within established deadlines.
• Ability to meet travel requirements associated with this position.
• Ability to transport/move supplies and equipment.
• Proficiency with windows-based software including use of the internet and Microsoft Office Suite including Outlook, Word, and Excel.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience and/or background with Cooperative Extension and 4-H Youth Development.
• Background or course work in leadership, management, and/or education.
• Ability to generate a credible media presence in the community.
• Experience in recruiting, motivating, supervising, and collaborating with volunteers.
• Ability to identify and develop volunteer leadership.
•  Proficiency in Spanish or other locally relevant language.

Responsibilities/Essential Functions:
Program Responsibilities:
Program Assessment - 5%

• Provide program leadership in applying subject matter knowledge to identify needs, gaps, and trends in youth development for community club and independent members, and for children and youth in the Association’s after-school programs, taking note of traditional as well as emerging opportunities, especially in animal sciences, STEM, public speaking, and leadership.
• Analyze program needs based on assessments and input from community groups, staff and other interested parties.
• Ensure program assessment is aligned with the statewide Plan of Work and the Association Plan of Work.   
• Develop program needs assessment.
• Make recommendations for programmatic offerings, enhancements, and/or improvements based upon assessment, resource availability and campus support.

Program Development  - 10%

• Provide overall program leadership in the application of youth development subject matter knowledge to develop educational strategies for the programming area.
• Develop/create high quality educational program materials to address the needs of the program and program participants using proven educational methodologies as well as innovative techniques to reach diverse populations within the community and region.
• Research, identify and select existing resources for use in program offerings.
• Ensure that program development and program structure are within both the Association and the state-wide Plan of Work and that they meet the diverse needs of program participants.
• Work with H Program Development and Advisory Committees to develop programs that meet community needs
• Maintain direct connection with Cornell University and other Cooperative Extension Universities for guidance in program development, particularly in agricultural, STEM, belonging and inclusivity and afterschool program initiatives.

Program Delivery - 20%

• Serve as subject matter expert for staff, volunteers, participants, community organizations, general public and other Youth and Family professionals working within the county and region.
• Deliver high quality, innovative and multi-disciplinary program efforts that address local, regional and statewide programming priorities utilizing a variety of teaching methods, including formal and informal workshops, seminars, social and mass media consistent with identified educational needs.
• Lead and participate in special projects including but not limited to school programs, Act for Change dialogue program, 4-H Volunteer Leader Training, County and State Fair, Public Presentations, Fall (Enrollment) Fest, Workshops/Camps, Ag Literacy Week, Awards and Recognition Night, and other Extension Association activities as assigned.
• Consult and utilize target audiences/stakeholders, collaborators, organizations, agencies, government, and other key partners in program delivery efforts.
• Deliver volunteer trainings, including but not limited to presentations, workshops, seminars, conferences, individual consultations, electronic and digital media in support of program delivery.
• Foster acceptance of programs, methods and policies to address community and individual needs and consider diverse audiences.
• Maintain direct linkage with Cornell University faculty, program units and other Cooperative Extension Universities as appropriate for program delivery guidance.
• Ensure program delivery is within the scope of the statewide and Association Plan of Work.
• Represent CCE before the public, participants, community leaders, government officials, Cornell or other universities in a professional manner as part of program delivery.

Program Evaluation - 5%

• Develop program evaluation framework to measure program impacts and outcomes and gain input/insight for continuous improvement.
• Interact with program participants, advisory committees, Cornell faculty, County and key community leaders to obtain evaluation data for programs.
• Provide leadership for analyzing and evaluating programs and communicate outcomes and recommendations to the Executive Director, Board, program advisory committee(s), Cornell faculty, county and key community leaders.
• Maintain direct linkage with Cornell University faculty and program units for program evaluation guidance as needed.

Applied Research - 5%

• Collaborate with Cornell faculty and/or other Cooperative Extension University to design or create applied research collection framework.
• May maintain direct linkage with Cornell University faculty and program units for guidance in applied research. 
• Communicate social and economic changes to Cornell University Specialists that may be studied and/or acted upon. 
• Ensure applied research is within the scope of the statewide Plan of Work.

Administrative Responsibilities:

Direction - 20%

• Lead the development of program priorities and goals in consultation and collaboration with supervisor, program committees, staff, target audiences/stakeholders, collaborators, organizations, agencies, government, and other key community constituents.
• Lead the development and planning for major public events and programs (i.e. County Fair, State Fair, Public Presentations, Ag Literacy, Awards and Recognition etc).
• Lead the development and enhancement of community partnerships.
• Lead the development of effective, strategic 4-H Youth and Families communication and marketing efforts to reach target audiences and meet new and established 4-H programming initiatives.
• Provide leadership in collaborative budget development, budget implementation and fiscal management
• Develop and maintain relationships with partner agencies, organizations, industries, community leaders and other stakeholders to ensure that stakeholders are engaged in the program development process.
• Identify and develop strategies to secure fiscal and community resources for program continuance and enhancement.
• Provide leadership for the development of staffing plans that support educational programming efforts.
• Assist in the planning of mass media efforts related to upcoming events and programs.

Management - 25%

• Provide effective program management.
•  Solve problems and effectively manage conflicts that arise in the operation of programs.
• Implement policy and programmatic changes to address identified gaps/needs in the community, county and/or region.
• Manage and direct the work of staff in the delivery of appropriate, relevant and established educational programs and activities.
• Provide supervision, continuous feedback, coaching, and performance management to staff.
• Seek guidance and advice from Supervisor as necessary.
• Ensure expenditure of funds follows funding requirements and adherence to Association strategies/Plan of Work.
• Actively serve on appropriate regional, state and national committees that support overall educational and organizational efforts of the Cornell Cooperative Extension system and programs
• Ensure volunteer direction and management procedures are followed according to established policies and procedures by providing guidance, leadership and resources for volunteers and volunteer leaders including recruitment, screening, orientation, training, evaluation, and management.

Coordination/Operation - 5%

• Utilize effective marketing and communication strategies in the promotion of 4-H Youth and Families programming to include, but not limited to, print media, news media, social media, multi-media efforts and networking/collaborating with government, economic, educational and other organizations.
• Represent the programs and Association at community functions and meetings or as requested. 
• Serve as liaison to volunteers and volunteer leaders as well as a variety of volunteer committees.
• Complete and submit required financial documentation to meet grant or budget requirements in a timely manner.
• Submit grant and/or contracts to secure funding. 
• Prepare and submit required reports related to programming activities and accomplishments to communicate results to appropriate stakeholders.
• Effectively maintain existing professional relationships with other agencies, organizations, and businesses to facilitate continued programming efforts.

Professional Improvement - 5%

• In cooperation with the Supervisor, jointly develop and pursue a professional development plan to increase competencies relative to position accountabilities and to address changes in programming and association priorities.
• Participate in all required orientation, training, and/or in-service meetings and trainings as scheduled/required. 
• Pursue personal growth through expanding personal knowledge of the total organization and through updating techniques and technical skills relating to the position.
• Carry out assignments and other duties as assigned by supervisor, including participation at local fairs, community activities, etc.
• Collaborate in activities that are in general support of Cornell Cooperative Extension including but not limited to attendance at staff meetings, timely reporting of expenses, working with other staff, general marketing of Cooperative Extension programs and other duties as assigned.

Health and Safety - Applied to all duties and functions.

• Support the Association to maintain a safe working environment.
• Be familiar with and strive to follow any applicable federal, state, local regulations, Association health and safety policy/procedure/requirement and standard.
• Act proactively to prevent accidents/injuries and communicate hazards to supervisors when identified.

EEO/EPO and Policy - Applied to all duties and functions.

• Maintain respectful and professional interactions with clientele, staff, volunteers, and the public.
• Assist the Cornell Cooperative Extension system in reaching out to various audiences.
• Aware of, and adheres to, established Cornell Cooperative Extension Association of Ulster County policies, procedures, and Cornell Cooperative Extension Skills for Success.
• Contribute to the overall success of the organization by performing all assigned duties in a professional, timely and accurate manner.

This is a full time, exempt, benefits eligible position. Compensation paid at a range of $75,000 to $85,000.00 per year, commensurate with experience.  Excellent benefits, based on eligibility, including:

• Vacation, Sick and Personal time
• Paid Holidays
• NYS Health Insurance Program (including Dental Insurance)
• NYS Retirement
• Long-term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Tax Deferred Annuity
• Voluntary Flexible Spending Accounts
• Voluntary Group Universal Life Insurance
• Voluntary Personal Accidental Insurance
• Voluntary Legal Plan Insurance
• Voluntary Long Term Care Insurance
• Voluntary Auto and Homeowner’s Insurance
• Voluntary Pet Insurance
• Voluntary New York’s College Savings Program

Please be sure to read the Notice to Applicants found on the Jobs with CCE page:

https://cals.cornell.edu/cornell-cooperative-extension/join-us/jobs

How To Apply:  Applicants (including current employees of other Cornell Cooperative Extension Associations) must apply online through the APPLY button in this job posting. Current employees of Cornell Cooperative Extension Ulster County are considered internal applicants and must apply online through their Workday account which may be accessed here: http://workday.cornell.edu/.  For details on how to apply, visit: https://cals.cornell.edu/cornell-cooperative-extension/join-us/jobs/apply

All applicants are requested to submit a cover letter, resume and indicate three individuals who may be contacted as a reference.  Please consider indicating in your application all information you feel would be helpful for selection committee members to know.   Once the application is submitted you will NOT be able to change your submission or add attachments. Be sure that you have followed all directions and requirements listed in the job posting. 

All applications must be received on-line by April 30, 2026. Position closing dates may change based on Association needs.

No relocation or VISA Sponsorship available.

The Association may make reasonable accommodations to enable applicants to participate in the hiring process and employees to perform the essential functions of their job. For additional questions or if you require an accommodation so you may participate in the selection process you are encouraged to contact Leah Cadwallader, Regional Human Resources Manager, e-mail LC267@cornell.edu or (845) 340-3990x314.

  

Job Title:

Association Issue Leader

Level:

No Grade - Annual

Pay Rate Type:

Salary

Company:

Contract College

Contact Name:

Leah Cadwallader

Cornell Cooperative Extension is a collaboration among Cornell University, the United States Department of Agriculture, the State of New York, and the residents of New York State. Per NYS Law, county and regional extension service associations are subordinate government agencies. This employment opportunity is with the entities listed and not with Cornell University.

Notice to Applicants: Please read the required Notice to Applicants statement. This notice contains important information about applying for a position at Cornell Cooperative Extension as well as some of your rights and responsibilities as an applicant.