4-H Program Director, Southwest Virginia 4-H Educational Center

Job Description

Virginia Tech is a public land-grant university, committed to teaching and learning, research, and outreach to the Commonwealth of Virginia, the nation, and the world. Building on its motto of Ut Prosim (that I may serve), Virginia Tech is dedicated to InclusiveVT—serving in the spirit of community, diversity, and excellence. We seek candidates who adopt and practice the Principles of Community, which are fundamental to our on-going efforts to increase access and inclusion, and to create a community that nurtures learning and growth for all of its members. Virginia Tech actively seeks a broad spectrum of candidates to join our community in preparing leaders for the world.

The Southwest Virginia 4-H Educational Center, a 501c3 organization, is tucked away in the rural countryside of southwest Virginia, only a few miles from Abingdon and interstate I-81. For over 50 years we have been providing once-in-a-lifetime experiences for youth, adults, and the communities of southwest Virginia. The 4-H Center provides camps and programs (both youth and adult) that are proven to be an effective method of teaching and involving youth in the development of life skills, through hands-on experiential learning. The 4-H Center is proud to be an American Camp Association accredited organization. Businesses, state agencies, church groups, schools, families, and many others use the spacious meeting rooms, dining halls, and lodging facilities available at the 4-H Center for their events. For more information about the Southwest Virginia 4-H Educational Center please visit http://www.swva4hcenter.org.

The Program Director’s primary responsibility is to oversee 4-H Center programming— to plan, conduct, supervise and evaluate educational programs for youth and adults. All youth programs will be conducted in accordance with the Virginia 4-H Program guidelines, the Virginia Department of Education’s Standards of Learning guidelines, and the American Camp Association’s standards for camps and conference centers.

The Program Director is responsible for taking the initiative to promote the use of the 4-H Center in cooperation with Cooperative Extension for programs to serve, in this priority: (1) 4-H youth, (2) other youth, and (3) adults (e.g., Road Scholars, individuals, organizations, professional groups, businesses, churches, schools, and other groups which can benefit from programs offered by and through the 4-H Center).

The Program Director is accountable and responsible to the State 4-H Program Leader (Virginia Cooperative Extension), the 4-H Center’s Board of Directors and directly supervised by and reports to the Center Director. The Program Director will be evaluated by the State 4-H Program Leader and Center Director with input from the 4-H Center’s Board of Directors.

Required Qualifications

Must have a minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree (BA or BS) in a relevant discipline from an accredited college or university. Knowledge and experience in planning and budgeting, conducting, and evaluating Extension or non-formal education programs in a residential camp-setting; knowledge of child and human development; excellent communication skills; basic knowledge in educational technologies and their appropriate use in the development and delivery of educational programs; program marketing skills; knowledge and willingness to involve and manage volunteers in program development and delivery.

Preferred Qualifications

A master’s degree is preferred. Knowledge of American Camp Association accreditation standards and experience in 4-H positive youth development programming. ACCT Challenge Course Practitioner and Certified Lifeguard.

Appointment Type

Regular

Salary Information

Commensurate with Qualifications and Experience

Review Date

January 6, 2023

Additional Information

Must have a driver's license check.

Must have an acceptable and safe driving record.

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges , a school of medicine , a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School , and Honors College . The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including the Innovation Campus in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous Extension offices and research centers . A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Sandra Fisher at safishe3@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.

Advertised: December 16, 2022
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