Citizenship Program Manager
Working Title:
State Program Manager, Citizenship
Program Area:
Center for Youth Development
Location:
Center for Youth Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis/St Paul
campus
Deadline:
March 26, 2012; initial application review; position will remain open until
filled
About Extension and Youth Development
The University of Minnesota Extension is a major outreach arm of the University of Minnesota, a
land grant institution with a mission to serve the public through applied research and education.
Find further information at http://www.extension.umn.edu/mnext.html
The Extension Center for Youth Development has a long history of positive youth development
education for young people. Within the Center, the 4-H program is the largest non-formal youth
development program in the state. In addition to delivering the 4-H program, the Center
conducts research on positive youth development; provides training, education and tools for
youth workers and leaders; and provides financial support for youth development programs
through the Minnesota 4-H Foundation. For more information about the Center and its
programs, please go to the following link: www.extension.umn.edu/youth.
Our vision is that “The Center for Youth Development is the leading Minnesota resource
ensuring community opportunities for youth to learn, lead and contribute.”
Our mission is to increase the quality, availability and impact of community learning
opportunities for youth throughout Minnesota.
This position works with Extension Educators to lead and manage 4-H Citizenship programming
using research based methods to create positive opportunities for youth and adults to learn and
develop together. The position is designed to serve as a bridge between the faculty responsible
for developing and leading Citizenship programming and those across the state who implement
the program with and for young people.
This position will support current statewide program development in the area of citizenship and
leadership through a youth development approach. The individual in this position will also focus
on 4-H youth development program delivery, including volunteer recruitment and development
and assume related responsibilities as requested.
Location of Position
The position will be based at the Center for Youth Development, which will be moving to Coffey
Hall at the University of Minnesota - St Paul campus in April 2012. Although this position is
located in St Paul, this position will provide support to program efforts throughout the state.
Description
We seek an energetic, self-motivated dynamic individual who has understanding and
experience in applying successful youth program development models. S/he will have applied a
variety of innovative ways to attract and engage young people in youth development programs.
The position provides development, implementation, coordination, and sustainability for
Citizenship programs.
General Responsibilities
● Conduct and coordinate citizenship and leadership youth development learning
experiences and activities with faculty, staff and volunteers to ensure that youth are fully
engaged in the process.
● Support and manage the work of the Youth Development Citizenship team, including the
State 4-H Ambassador program, which designs and conducts program for youth in the
MN 4-H Youth Development program.
● Bridge the national citizenship opportunities to MN youth, as well as make
recommendations for programming impact.
● Develop and implement appropriate training materials and programs for Extension
program staff, volunteers, and youth.
● Build relationships with potential partners and secure them as resources to support the
program design and delivery.
● Work with others to develop the Program Development Committee, which provides
visionary leadership to the Citizenship program.
● Research available curriculum and make recommendations to the Citizenship program
team.
● Identify strategies and processes for volunteer recruitment and retention in the
Citizenship program.
● Conduct literature reviews upon request and write technical reports, as necessary.
● Participate in professional development experiences and seminars.
● Provide support to other 4-H program efforts as requested.
Required and Preferred Qualifications
Education:
A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field is required at the time of appointment. Progress toward a
completion of a master’s degree is preferred. Formal education should include significant
course work in a discipline related to working with youth and/or program development.
Examples include: youth development leadership, public administration, education,
psychology, sociology and social work. Course work in leadership, citizenship or civic
engagement, child and adolescent development, educational program design, experiential
learning and pedagogy is preferred.
Experience:
Two years of relevant experience in related organizations such as Cooperative Extension,
elementary, secondary or post-secondary education; community youth development
organizations and/or foundations is preferred. Experience with the 4-H youth development
program may be helpful, however neither required nor expected.
Skills/Abilities:
Demonstrated competence in a useful mix of the following areas is expected:
● Excellence in the development of positive youth development programs.
● Applied leadership and team building skills.
● Understanding of volunteer system development and roles in programs.
● Ability to communicate both orally and written, effectively with individual and groups.
● Excellence in teaching and training skills.
● Developing and maintaining effective working relationships with colleagues, partners,
and stakeholders.
● High level ability to organize and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
● Knowledge and experience working with diverse and multi-cultural audiences.
● Ability to use technology for gathering information, communication, program delivery and
reporting.
● Ability to seek and leverage resources through grants, fees, or services and then utilize
resources effectively.
Travel
This position requires traveling to perform these work responsibilities. The individual in this
position will use a personal vehicle for traveling around the state with reimbursements provided
according to the University travel and reimbursements policies.
Benefits/Appointment
1. The Program Director (class 9340) position is an annual University academic
administrative appointment.
2. The appointment is reviewed for renewal annually, with continuation dependent on
performance, results, availability of funds, and program needs.
3. University of Minnesota benefits are available. Complete information may be found at
http://www1.umn.edu/ohr/benefits/index.html
4. Reimbursement for travel and subsistence is available in accordance with University
policy.
5. Salary commensurate with education and experience.
To Apply
Please apply online via the Employment System at
https://employment.umn.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind=101212
Please attach:
*Vitae
*Cover letter
*Three professional letters of reference
*Transcripts for all college work (unofficial transcripts are acceptable at the application stage).
To submit three professional letters online; you can attach them to the “references” section of
the “Optional Documents.” To submit unofficial transcripts online; you can attach them to the
"additional document" section of the "Optional Documents.”
Three professional letters of reference and your unofficial transcripts that cannot be submitted
online should be sent to or if you have questions about applying online please contact:
Naaz Babvani
Extension Human Resources
260 Coffey Hall, 1420 Eckles Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55108
612-624-3717
Fax: 612-624-7749
Babva001@umn.edu
For questions regarding the position, contact
Nancy Hegland
Extension Program Leader, 4-H Youth Development
nhegland@umn.edu
651 480-7709
APPLICATION DEADLINE:
Initial application screening will take place after the deadline March 26, 2012. Position will
remain open until filled.
*To check the status of your application, log-in to the University of Minnesota employment
website at https://employment.umn.edu/. To log-in, you will need the user name and password
you create when you apply for the position.
**Any offer of employment is contingent on the successful completion of a background
check.
The University of Minnesota Extension is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to its
programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age,
marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status or sexual orientation.