Oregon State University Division of Extension and Engagement’s 4-H Youth Development Program invites applications for a 4-H Program Coordinator position based at the Extension Morrow County Office in Heppner, Oregon. This is a 12-month, full-time, professional faculty position with an anticipated starting salary range of $63,000-69,700.
The mission of the Division of Extension and Engagement is to work with communities throughout Oregon to support lifelong learning and co-create innovative solutions to address local changes. Together, we envision a future where Oregon’s people, communities and ecosystems prosper.
The Extension 4-H Youth Development Program provides young people with intentional, high-quality learning experiences that promote positive interactions with adults and peers, sustained and active participation across time, and opportunities to make meaningful contributions to the world around them. The Morrow County 4-H Program Coordinator provides leadership for a comprehensive countywide 4-H Youth Development program that advances the mission of Oregon State University Extension Service. As the lead 4-H faculty member in a designated frontier county, the coordinator is responsible for the management, promotion, delivery, and evaluation of a diverse portfolio of non-credit educational programming that meets the needs of youth, families, and communities throughout Morrow County.
This position works extensively with volunteers, youth, families, schools, community organizations, and local leaders in both leadership and collaborative roles. Success in this position requires strong relationship-building, effective communication, responsiveness to local needs, and the ability to engage diverse audiences in meaningful educational experiences.
Key Responsibilities:
- Provide overall leadership for the Morrow County 4-H Youth Development Program.
- Expand visibility and participation in 4-H through coordinated outreach, marketing, and communication efforts.
- Develop, deliver, and evaluate research-based non-credit educational programs for youth and adult volunteers that support positive youth development and address identified community needs.
- Provide a variety of educational experiences through community clubs, camps, school enrichment, after-school programs, workshops, leadership development opportunities, and special interest programs.
- Foster a work environment that values respect, inclusion, collaboration, and effective engagement with individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.
- Develop and maintain annual plans of work, program evaluations, and impact reports that demonstrate program effectiveness and support continuous improvement.
- Utilize adaptive management and leadership practices to effectively supervise, support, and work with volunteers and OSU employees who have diverse identities, cultural backgrounds, communication styles, experiences, and expectations.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in youth development, volunteer development, education, family sciences, natural resources, agricultural or animal sciences, leadership, management, communications, or a closely related field.
- Demonstrated experience interacting successfully with adult volunteers.
- Demonstrated experience teaching, designing and/or developing Extension or other youth focused educational programs.
- General knowledge and ability to use computers, including proficiency with information technology, professional office software and collaborative work platforms.
- Demonstrated experience leading groups.
- Demonstrated ability engaging with youth 5-19 years of age.
- Ability to plan, organize, evaluate, manage, resolve conflicts and delegate details associated with program management.
- Ability to engage and communicate successfully and inclusively, both in writing and verbally, with a broad and diverse audience in a culturally responsible manner.
- Ability to learn and use multiple forms of digital communication tools and systems, including websites, collaborative work platforms, email newsletters, and social media, and other tools in a changing technological environment.
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
- Ability to work as a team member with other professionals.
- A commitment to collaborative and respectful learning and working environments that are safe, inclusive, and welcoming.
This position is designated as a critical or security-sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a criminal history check and be determined to be position qualified as per University Standard: 05-010 et seq. Incumbents are required to self-report convictions and those in youth programs may have additional criminal history checks every 24 months.
This position requires driving a university vehicle or a personal vehicle on behalf of the university; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a motor vehicle history check, possess and maintain a current, valid driver’s license in their state of residence, be determined to be position qualified and self-report convictions as per University Policy 05-030.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience managing volunteer programs, including volunteer recruitment, orientation, training, effective engagement, recognition, and evaluation.
- Familiarity with the 4-H program and/or positive youth development principles.
- Demonstrated financial management skills.
- Bilingual (English and Spanish) and/or Bicultural with ability or willingness to engage Spanish speaking audiences through the utilization of bi-literate and/or cultural skills.
- Experience as a collaborator who leverages resources and networks in one’s community.
- Experience with securing grants or other external support for educational programs.
- Ability to work successfully with an advisory group or committee.
- Ability to incorporate the use of web, social media, newsletter or other digital technologies in program development or outreach activities to achieve goals.
Working Conditions/Schedule:
- Flexibility to work evenings and weekends.
- Position requires driving/traveling to provide educational programming and services throughout designated County.
- Ability to transport (lift/carry/push/pull) up to 30 lbs. of instructional materials and/or equipment.
- Position duties will include working in varied working environments including professional office, county fairs, youth camps and livestock barns.
Posting closes August 7, 2026. OSU is an EOE/Vets/Disabled.
