Cooperative Extension Area 4-H Youth Development Advisor Serving Lassen, Modoc, and Siskiyou Counties (AP 25-13)

Cooperative Extension Area 4-H Youth Development Advisor Serving Lassen, Modoc, and Siskiyou Counties (AP 25-13)

University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources

Application Window

Open date: June 17, 2026

Next review date: Tuesday, Aug 4, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Wednesday, Nov 4, 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 at the Assistant rank. The Area 4-H Youth Development Advisor is responsible for developing the UCCE 4-H Youth Development extension and research programs in Lassen, Modoc, and Siskiyou Counties. The advisor will develop and deliver a program providing all young people with meaningful youth development opportunities. They will 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 within their local communities. 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.

The advisor is expected to collaborate with other 4-H personnel in implementing 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, popular-press articles, curricula, conference proceedings, and peer-reviewed journals. Successful research and extension programs result in new information that improves knowledge and the adoption of new skills and practices, changes attitudes, informs policies, and improves 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, or the UCCE office in Modoc County, 202 W 4th St, Alturas, CA 96101.

Position Details

The advisor will develop and extend innovative 4-H Youth Development (YD) programs across the three-county area. They will cultivate both a strong community network and an academic network that support an effective flow of information and creative work promoting positive youth development within the three-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. Within the three-county area, there are opportunities to develop programs that build on and enhance a strong traditional 4-H program. Excellent youth development opportunities exist in youth-to-youth learning models (e.g., teenager-to-elementary-aged youth), 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 academic leadership through the 4-H Volunteer Management Organization (VMO) structure across the three-county area.

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

The advisor will develop applied research projects across the three-county area and in collaboration with statewide and multi-state partners. The research will guide and provide the basis for the improvement and growth of 4-H YD programs throughout the three-county area. General areas of potential research activity include comparing school curricula and experiential learning opportunities for developing leadership skills in youth; understanding youth motivation to participate in leadership and/or outdoor activities; and understanding the long-term outcomes/benefits of youth development and learning. Additionally, the advisor will conduct creative projects to develop and/or adapt experiential learning and curricula that support outdoor education opportunities for area youth. Research results will be published in outlets such as the Journal of Extension, the 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 or Modoc County, and will serve Lassen, Modoc, and Siskiyou Counties.

Reporting Relationship: The advisor serves under the supervision of the (UCCE) County Director for Modoc and Lassen County, with input from the County Director for Siskiyou County UCCE, and the Director of the Statewide 4-H Program. 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 within the geographic area covered by this position will be outlined by the respective directors and supervisors upon hire.

Qualifications and Skills Required

Required Qualifications

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

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 of and compliance with 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 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 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 . click apply for full job details