This is a full-time, twelve (12) month, non-tenure track Extension faculty position. Faculty rank is dependent upon the candidate’s academic credentials and professional experience and is subject to review by the Extension Promotion Committee. The faculty appointment, evaluation, and promotion standards are centered around the three core duties of Extension Faculty – educate, create, and connect and the person in this role divides time accordingly: educate 35%, create 40%, connect 15%, and administration 10%. Candidates are sought with interests that complement and expand upon current initiatives and education activities in OEE and CSU Extension.
The State 4-H Volunteer Development Specialist provides leadership for Colorado’s statewide 4-H Youth Development volunteer system by designing, delivering, and evaluating comprehensive training, onboarding, and support for volunteers and professionals. A central focus of this role is guiding effective conflict resolution, risk management, and youth protection practices, ensuring positive, safe, and quality volunteer and program environments statewide. This position also develops and implements strategies to recruit, retain, and recognize volunteers while building partnerships, creating resources, and advancing a strong, supportive volunteer development and management system. There will be periodic activities requiring travel and/or overnight stays. Time can be flexed to maintain a 40-hour work week.
For full consideration, all materials must be RECEIVED no later than 11:59 PM Mountain Time on August 25, 2026.
- Lead and coordinate a comprehensive statewide volunteer development system for the Colorado 4-H Youth Development program, including training, onboarding, and ongoing support for volunteers and professionals.
- Provide proactive leadership in conflict resolution, mediation, risk management, and youth protection to ensure safe, and productive program environments.
- Design, implement, and evaluate volunteer development strategies using models such as ISOTURE and VRKC to strengthen program quality and impact.
- Develop and deliver high-quality educational resources, curricula, and training opportunities (webinars, workshops, and meetings) that meet local and statewide needs.
- Build and maintain strong partnerships with county staff, volunteers, CSU faculty, Extension, and external organizations to enhance volunteer engagement and program reach.
- Evaluate, document, and report program outcomes and impacts, while identifying and securing resources (grants, funding, partnerships) to support volunteer-led programs.
Oversee administrative functions including budget management, policy development, and compliance with civil rights and affirmative action standards, ensuring effective support and oversight of the statewide 4-H volunteer system.
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- Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires), travel.
- Must have a valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain a driver’s license by the employment start date.
The successful candidate must be legally authorized to work in the United States by the proposed start date; the Office of Engagement and Extension will not sponsor a visa for this position.
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This position does not have supervisory responsibilities.
- Completed master’s degree. The conferred degree must be in volunteer development, youth development, agriculture education, Extension education, K-12 education, or a closely related field .
- Coursework and/or professional experience must provide a broad and significant understanding of volunteer development, youth development, educational leadership, Extension education, and/or community development, along with a high degree of subject matter competence in these areas.
- 5+ years professional experience relevant to the Essential Job Duties of this position.
Experience and/or coursework in conflict management and proficiency in conflict resolution best practices and techniques.
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- A Ph.D. in volunteer development, youth development, agriculture education, Extension education, K-12 education, or a closely related field .
- Knowledge of and/or experience in Extension 4-H Positive Youth Development and adult learning theory.
Experience or course work in audience-needs identification, program development, experiential learning, and program evaluation.
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Please submit the following to apply:
- CV (not a resume) - Creating a Curriculum Vitae (CV) - Career Center
- Cover Letter
Special Required Documentation – Statement (no more than 5 pages) of how you meet all applicable “Required” and “Preferred” Job Qualifications. Please respond to each bullet point separately.
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For questions regarding the application process, contact the OEE HR Unit at [email protected]. For questions regarding the job vacancy, responsibilities, and salary, please contact Michael Compton @ [email protected] .
$71,000 - $100,000
To apply, please upload the following applicant documents. Ensure your materials fully address the required and preferred job qualifications of the position. Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.
Cover Letter, Resume/CV, Special Required Documentation
Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.
Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.
Colorado State University (CSU) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
