Position Title: 4-H Youth Development Advisor Sonoma, Napa, and Marin Counties
Position: 1) The 4-H Youth Development Advisor is responsible for the assessment, development,
implementation, administration, and evaluation of the UCCE 4-H Youth Development educational and research
programs in Napa, Sonoma, and Marin counties. The Advisor focus will be on delivery of a statewide 4-H Youth
Development Program at the local level that assists youth in achieving their fullest potential. The advisor is
expected to develop applied research projects for adults, families and youth with an emphasis on developing
youth programs that combine non-formal education with hands-on, inquiry-based learning to engage youth in
improving their skills and abilities in healthy living; science, engineering, math and technology knowledge; and
citizenship. The advisor will work with other agency partners on Closing the Educational Achievement Gap. In
addition, the Advisor will provide support and leadership to the 4-H Youth Development Program
Representatives serving the 4-H Club Programs, Councils, and associated 4- H Youth Development Programs in
the three counties. 2) A minimum of a Master's Degree is required in Youth/Child Development, Human
Development, Science or Science Education, or a related field. Expertise in applied research and program
evaluation and large-scale youth programming for underserved populations is desirable. Academic training and/or
professional experience must provide an understanding of science with the ability to transfer research-based
principles to program and research design methodologies. Experience or the ability to apply low-literacy and
cultural/ethnic principles into extension and research program elements is necessary. Strong leadership skills and
experience in program and personnel management are required. 3) This position is strongly supported by Napa,
Sonoma, and Marin county units; County Councils; Sonoma County 4-H Foundation; Napa 4-H Sponsoring
Committee; the Youth, Families, and Communities Program Director; the Associate Director of 4-H Program and
Policy; the Healthy Families and Communities Strategic Initiative Youth Science Literacy Program Team
Program; and the Youth Development and Science Literacy Specialists at UC Davis and UC Berkeley.
Justification: Each year approximately 80,000 California youth do not graduate from high school and one in six
is out of school and out of work. Promoting healthy pathways to college and work are urgent concerns, not only
for individual youth and their families but also for a healthy community to thrive. UCCE 4-H Youth Development
programs are at the cutting edge of positive youth development knowledge and practice. Research shows that
participants in these programs are more likely to contribute to their families, themselves; more likely to see
themselves going to college; and significantly less likely to engage in risk or problem behavior. The UC 4-H
Youth Development Program and its 4-H SET (Science, Engineering, and Technology) Initiative are national
leaders in providing innovative out-of-school models, curricula, and professional development. As an example of
this, Tools of the Trade II uses comprehensive 21-plus hour training for afterschool program frontline staff and
youth workers on incorporating science, engineering, and technology (SET) into afterschool programming.
Connecting this expertise and resources with locally identified needs and endeavors is the core justification for
this position. The County of Sonoma made closing the achievement gap a top regional priority in its 2009
Strategic Economic Plan. The Napa Valley Unified School District has established its Equity Leadership
Committee “to provide equitable access and opportunities, and close the Achievement Gap”. Marin agencies and
organizations are currently refining and implementing the Marin Community Foundation’s “Closing the
Education Achievement Gap” strategic initiative.
Extension: The Advisor will be responsible for development of new and creative approaches to develop,
strengthen and expand local 4-H programming that benefit youth and families. Through collaborations and
partnerships, the Advisor will promote positive youth development, and in turn improve important outcomes such
as competence, confidence, character, connection, caring, contribution, science literacy, and healthy living.
Target clientele for these efforts will be youth, 4-H program staff and volunteer leaders, teachers, community
leaders and others involved in youth development and education. The Advisor will supervise the 4-H Youth
Development Program Representatives, providing support and leadership to the 4-H Club Program and associated
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4-H Youth Development Advisor
Sonoma, Napa, and Marin Counties
4-H Youth Development (4-H YD) programs. The Advisor will develop a variety of delivery approaches for
expanding the program and reach new, diverse audiences. Outreach methods will include individual
consultations, field days, tours, meetings, web conferences, ANR publications, and an appropriate mix of
contemporary and emerging electronic tools such as online learning, web content systems and repositories, social
media, impact and evaluation tools, along with specialized and public media outlets.
Research: The Advisor will collaborate with appropriate UC ANR Program Teams, faculty, specialists and
advisors to develop new curriculum or educational resources for use in science literacy, healthy living and/or
citizenship youth development programs that are aligned with statewide focus and local community needs. The
advisor will also be responsible for providing leadership to build or maintain a strong volunteer management
system for the delivery of the 4-H Youth Development Program. The Advisor will assess 4-H YD programs to
determine outcomes of youth participation as well as volunteer efforts, outcomes, and impacts. In addition to
assessing measurable changes in individuals, the Advisor will assess family and organizational as well as
community change. Educational programs and research will be published through local extension publications,
ANR Communication Services, state and national 4-H programs, and other appropriate professional journals.
ANR Network: The Advisor will utilize and contribute to the campus-county network at the local level
collaborating with the Community Development, Environmental Horticulture, and Specialty Crops Advisors, 4-H
Leaders and Youth, and Master Gardeners. Specifically, this position, the proposed Nutrition, Families and
Consumer Science Advisor position, and the recently hired North Bay Food Systems Advisor will be significant
colleagues and team members for each other. At the statewide level, the 4-H Youth Development Advisor will
complement and collaborate with other advisors and specialists including those associated with 4-H SET and
Thrive. Additionally, the Advisor will participate with respective advisory committees, task forces, program
teams, and workgroups.
Network External to ANR: In all three counties, there are collaborative partnerships developing strategic plans
to reduce the performance gap and increase science literacy. These efforts represent the network of external
agencies, organizations, and clientele with which the Advisor will collaborate.
Support: Support for this position, including office space, travel, communication (telephone, internet) and
clerical support is available from the three counties. UC ANR start-up funds are anticipated and will be used to
purchase a computer. Napa and Sonoma County have full time Community Education Specialists and Marin has
a 50% time Community Education.
Other Support: It is expected that research support will come from ANR competitive grants and various
community groups, including community foundations in each county that have prioritized reducing the
performance gap and increasing science literacy for underserved populations. Additional external funding and
support are anticipated through participation in Program Team AFRI grants and other externally funded research
and education programs.
Location: This position will provide academic supervision and oversight to the 4-H Program Representatives in
Napa, Sonoma, and Marin. Location to be determined.
Developed and proposed by: David Lewis and Stephanie Larson, County Directors Marin and Napa and
Sonoma Counties, respectively.
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4-H Youth Development Advisor
Sonoma, Napa, and Marin Counties