Cooperative Extension Area 4-H Youth Development Advisor for Outdoor Education serving Lassen, Modoc, Plumas and Sierra Counties (AP 25-13)

Cooperative Extension Area 4-H Youth Development Advisor for Outdoor Education serving Lassen, Modoc, Plumas and Sierra Counties (AP 25-13)

University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources

Application Window

Open date: October 31, 2025

Next review date: Friday, Jan 2, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Monday, Mar 2, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position description

Position Overview

The University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) invites applications for a UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Area 4-H Youth Development Advisor for Outdoor Education at the Assistant rank. The Area 4-H Youth Development Advisor is responsible for the development of the UCCE 4-H Youth Development extension and research programs in Lassen, Modoc, Plumas and Sierra Counties. The Advisor will develop and deliver a program that will provide all youth meaningful personal development opportunities. The Advisor is expected to develop an extension and applied research program framed in positive youth development, emphasizing outdoor education programs and curricula to promote program growth and expanded opportunities for youth participation.

UCCE Advisors are responsible for applied research and extension of knowledge. Research activities are applied, needs-based, mission-oriented, and focused on addressing our communities' challenges. Extension activities are the educational practices Advisors use to share research results directly with clientele and communities. Increased knowledge and understanding of science-based research helps to support and promote the adoption of practices and technologies that solve problems. Extension methods may include individual consultations, presentations, organization of educational workshops and short courses, field demonstrations, and farm and site visits. The Advisor is expected to collaborate
with other 4-H personnel in implementation of
all delivery models, including in-school, after school, community club and other out of school time programs and projects. Information may also be disseminated via radio outreach, webinars, fact sheets, policy briefs, news blogs, and social media. Publications are expected in various formats, such as newsletters, articles for the popular press, curriculums, conference proceedings, and peer-reviewed publications. Successful research and extension programs result in new information that improves knowledge or understanding and adoption of new skills, practices, changed attitudes, policies, and improved environmental, health, agricultural, economic, and/or social conditions. UCCE Advisors are evaluated through an academic advancement system based on four criteria: extending knowledge, applied research and creative activity, professional competence and activity, and University and public service.

Location Headquarters: This position will be headquartered in the UCCE office in Lassen County, 707 Nevada St., Susanville, CA 96130.

Position Details

The Advisor will develop and extend innovative 4-H Youth Development (YD) programs across the four-county area. The Advisor will cultivate both a strong community network and an academic network that supports an effective flow of information and creative work promoting positive youth development within the four-county area. The advisor will provide academic oversight of the 4-H community club program and educational leadership to county based 4-H staff, educators, volunteers, and community members. The Advisor will provide 15% FTE to strengthen the statewide 4-H network of outdoor education programming.
Specific within the four-county area, there are program development opportunities to enhance and build upon a strong traditional 4-H program. Excellent youth development opportunities exist in areas of youth-to-youth (e.g. teen-to-primary) learning models, youth-led community and volunteer training events, youth development collaborations with local agencies and organizations, regional camping experiences and outdoor events to better integrate area youth with their peers. The new advisor will have numerous community service organizations, agricultural producers, natural resources professionals, and outdoor enthusiasts with whom to build lasting networks supporting youth across the region. These wide-ranging professional networks will leverage current community interest into more active participation in the 4-H YD program. The advisor will also promote growth of the 4-H program by providing guidance and leadership through the 4-H Volunteer Management Organization (VMO) structure across the four-county area.

Lassen, Modoc, Plumas and Sierra Counties have millions of acres of public land with countless recreation facilities, trails, and outdoor education opportunities. The four-county area also enjoys strong collaborative relationships between UCCE advisors and staff across the different county offices and existing agriculture, natural resources, and nutrition programs providing many potential research and extension partnerships.

The Advisor will develop applied research projects across the four-county area as well as with statewide and multi-state collaborators. The research will guide and provide the basis for the improvement and growth of 4-H YD programs throughout the four-county area. General areas of potential research activity include comparison of school curriculums and experiential learning opportunities in developing leadership skills in youth; understanding youth motivation to participate in leadership activities and/or participate outdoor activities; and understanding long term outcomes/benefits of youth development and learning. Additionally, the Advisor will conduct creative projects that develop and/or adapt experiential learning and curricula that support outdoor education opportunities relevant to area youth. Research results will be published in such outlets as the Journal of Extension, Journal of Youth Development, and California Agriculture and shared with the National Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals and the American Educational Research Association.

Counties of Responsibility: This position will be headquartered in Lassen County, and will serve Lassen, Modoc, Plumas and Sierra Counties.

Reporting Relationship: The advisor serves under the administrative supervision of the (UCCE) County Director for Lassen County, with input from the County Directors for Modoc and Plumas/Sierra County UCCE, and programmatic supervision of the 4-H Statewide Director. This is not a remote position; the candidate must be available to work onsite at the headquarters location and travel to and be present in other counties with programmatic responsibilities. Specific expectations for maintaining office hours and fieldwork in the geographic area covered by this position will be outlined upon hire by the respective directors and supervisors.

Qualifications and Skills Required

Required Qualifications

Education: A minimum of a master's degree is required in youth/child development, human development, education, or a related field at the time of appointment.

Key Qualifications

Experience in conducting applied research, program evaluation, and education programs with youth is required.

Strong leadership skills and experience in program and personnel management are required.

Ability and means to travel on a flexible schedule as needed; proof of liability, and property damage insurance on the vehicle used is required. Must possess or obtain a valid California Driver's License to drive a County or University Vehicle.

Ability to drive on remote highways including evenings and weekends, and at times in inclement weather conditions.

A background investigation will be required for the successful candidate, including fingerprinting and a criminal history clearance by the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This position is subject to the requirements and compliance of the California's Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA). Employment within UC ANR is contingent upon securing written acknowledgement to comply with California law.

We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time. Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. at the time of hire.

This is not a remote position.

Additional Skills Required

Applicants need to meet appointment criteria for the respective University of California academic title series and evidence for success in meeting required academic advancement criteria as per UC Academic Personnel Manuals. Applications need to document relevant research, extension, and teaching experience, and appropriate scholarly achievements.

Interest in and a desire to pursue a career in UC Cooperative Extension

Technical Competence and Impact: The candidate should understand key concepts to optimize engagement and development and be able to design and implement a program that leads to positive changes and impact within the community and beyond.

Substantial experience and sensitivity to cultural differences relative to working with youth and adults.

The ability to work with clientele across a wide range of socio-economic classes and ethnicities is essential.

Communication: Demonstrated excellence in written, oral, interpersonal and information technology communication skills.

Collaboration, Teamwork and Flexibility: The candidate should demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively as a team member with key external stakeholders and county-based staff, as well as with other colleagues within UC ANR.

Lifelong Learning: There is an expectation that advisors evolve and grow across their career and respond to changes in the industry, clientele, and organizational change.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.
"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.
UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties
APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

Desired Experience

Experience working with youth from diverse backgrounds is desired.

Ability to effectively engage with partner organizations to develop strong community relationships to support 4-H YD programs.

Ability to communicate well with regional audiences including local elected officials, K-12 school representatives, agricultural organizations, and natural resources agencies.

Experience working with adult volunteers involved with youth programs.

Ability to secure and manage extramural funding.

About UC ANR

UC ANR is a division of the University of California (UC) system that bridges the gap between local issues and the expertise of the UC system by providing research-based information, educational programs, and technical expertise to the public in areas such as agriculture, natural resources, nutrition, and youth development. UC ANR is part of a nationwide Cooperative Extension network, which began in the early 20th century to connect research from land-grant universities with the everyday needs of people in communities across the United States. Today, we collaborate with farmers, ranchers, diverse communities, youth and adult educators, and policymakers to address local and statewide issues related to food systems, water, climate change, and sustainable agriculture through a statewide network of campus-based researchers, county-based Advisors, and community educators. Our mission is to cultivate thriving communities, sustainable agriculture, resilient ecosystems, and economic prosperity in California and globally through equitable generation and sharing of collaborative, science-based solutions. Over 180 UCCE Advisors conduct applied research and extension education from county based UCCE offices serving all 58 counties from 70+ locations. By working and living among those we serve, UC ANR expands the University of California's reach to engage all people and communities in California, ensuring equal access to the resources UC has to offer. Our vision is that UC ANR will be valued in every California community for meaningful engagement and making a positive difference in people's lives.

About Lassen, Modoc, Plumas and Sierra Counties

Lassen, Modoc, Plumas and Sierra Counties are in the far northeastern corner of California. Geographically, the area sits at the intersection of the Sierra-Nevada mountains, the Cascade Range, the Great Basin, and the Modoc Plateau. The four counties are defined by small agricultural valleys that are flanked by mountains, forests, and rangelands. Outdoor recreation opportunities in the area are almost unlimited. The counties served by this position are very rural with small widely dispersed communities supported by agriculture and natural resource-based economies (). Youth development opportunities outside of 4-H are relatively limited, creating an excellent opportunity for significant and lasting impact across the region.
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