Cooperative Extension 4-H Youth Development Advisor Serving San Diego and Imperial Counties (AP 22-05)

Cooperative Extension 4-H Youth Development Advisor Serving San Diego and Imperial Counties (AP 22-05)

University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources

Application Window

Open date: June 16, 2026

Next review date: Friday, Jul 31, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Thursday, Oct 1, 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 4-H Youth Development Advisor serving San Diego and Imperial Counties. The Advisor will develop, deliver, and evaluate a program that provides youth in the two counties with meaningful personal development opportunities, especially in science, technology, engineering, agriculture, and mathematics (STEAM). California's 4-H Youth Development Program helps young people reach their full potential as competent, confident leaders who contribute to and are connected to their communities. 4-H serves youth throughout California in urban, suburban, and rural communities.

UCCE Advisors are responsible for applied research and extending 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 help 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. Information may also be disseminated via radio outreach, webinars, fact sheets, policy briefs, news blogs, and social media. Publications are expected in various formats, including newsletters, popular press articles, curricula, conference proceedings, and peer-reviewed publications. Successful research and extension programs result in new information that improves knowledge and understanding, and leads to the adoption of new skills, practices, and attitudes, and to changes in policies and 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: UCCE San Diego County, 9335 Hazard Way, Suite 201, San Diego, CA 92123.

Position Details

The advisor will design and implement an innovative extension education and applied research program focused on youth participation in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, agriculture, and math) activities, such as agricultural technology and engineering, animal science, computer science, horticulture, artificial intelligence, robotics, drones, veterinary science, and more. The advisor will focus on increasing youth access and engagement in STEAM education to build hands-on skills, creativity, career awareness, leadership, and workforce preparedness. Using a positive youth development framework, the advisor will provide academic leadership for the 4-H community club program and other 4-H delivery models and to county-based 4-H staff, educators, volunteers, and community members, supporting program quality, coordination, and community engagement.

This position will integrate ANR's research and extension education efforts across communities to improve youth participation in STEAM in the two-county region. This is an opportunity to develop and deliver relevant program content that leads to meaningful impacts in local communities, including:

Identification and implementation of program strategies and community-based approaches that strengthen STEAM-related skills and opportunities for youth

Develop and deliver workshops in a STEAM-related subject area to build skills among youth, adult volunteers, and professionals who work with youth.

Conduct applied research related to a STEAM-related subject area, in cooperation with State 4-H staff, 4-H Advisors in other counties, and community partners.

Development and evaluation of youth development programs that support STEAM engagement in both school-based and out-of-school-time educational settings

Applying and assessing the quality of youth development within STEAM programming.

There are excellent opportunities for the new advisor to establish partnerships with a variety of stakeholders and collaborators to strengthen visibility, alignment, and program impacts. Collaborating organizations may include school districts, youth centers on military bases, youth-serving nonprofits, county agency staff, Farm Bureau, local fair boards, and local colleges and universities, strengthening visibility, alignment, and program impact. The advisor joins a team of highly motivated UCCE colleagues who are passionate about their work and dedicated to making a difference in communities and throughout California.

Counties of Responsibility. This position will be headquartered in the UCCE San Diego office in California and will also have activity in Imperial County. The position will also provide support to the 4-H Youth Development community educators in both counties.

Reporting Relationship: The CE Advisor serves under the administrative guidance of the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Area Director for UCCE San Diego and Imperial Counties, and programmatically under 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 conducting fieldwork in the geographic area covered by this position will be outlined by the respective directors upon hire.
Qualifications and Skills Required

Required Qualifications

Education: A minimum of a master's degree in an area related to youth development or education, STEAM-related disciplines, including agricultural education, animal science, or another related, relevant discipline, is required at the time of appointment.

Key Qualifications

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

Ability to create partnerships with local agency staff, such as school district personnel

A record of research or outreach publications

Leadership skills and experience in program and personnel management

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.

A background investigation will be required for the successful candidate, including fingerprinting and criminal history clearances from the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This position is subject to the requirements and compliance of California's Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA). Employment within UC ANR is contingent upon securing written acknowledgment 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 and must maintain such authorization through the duration of the position. Internal UC ANR applicants with questions may contact Katie Kilbane at .

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 provide evidence of success in meeting the required academic advancement criteria as per UC Academic Personnel Manuals . Applicants need to document relevant research, extension, 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 have a deep understanding of STEAM and be able to design and implement a program that leads to youth engagement in STEAM.

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 with key external stakeholders and county-based staff, as well as with colleagues within UC ANR.

Lifelong Learning: There is an expectation that advisors evolve and grow throughout their careers and respond to changes in the industry, clientele, and the organization.

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 . click apply for full job details