Contract Youth Development Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Job Description
Position Summary:
This is a full-time, twelve (12) month, non-tenure track Extension faculty position. Faculty rank is dependent upon the candidate's academic credentials and professional experience and is subject to review by the Extension Promotion Committee. The faculty appointment, evaluation, and promotion standards are centered around the three core duties of Extension Faculty: educate, create, and connect. The person in this role divides time accordingly: educate 50%, create 30%, and connect 20%. Candidates are sought with interests that complement and expand upon current initiatives and educational activities in the Office of Engagement and Extension (OEE) and CSU Extension.
The Elbert County 4-H Youth Development Specialist will provide leadership in the development, implementation, evaluation, and reporting of youth development educational programming in Elbert County and assist neighboring counties as appropriate. Programming responsibilities may include support of 4-H projects in livestock, horse, shooting sports, STEM, natural resources, and general projects, along with volunteer development and leadership support. Final programmatic responsibilities will be determined by the education, experience, and strengths of the successful candidate.
This individual works as a member of the Elbert County Extension team and as a local representative of Colorado State University. The position reports to the Elbert County Extension Director and works collaboratively with CSU Extension specialists, county staff, volunteers, advisory groups, schools, agricultural producers, and community organizations. The primary office location for this position is the Elbert County Extension Office in Kiowa, Colorado. The work schedule will vary, and evening and weekend work will be necessary. Periodic travel and occasional overnight stays are required. Hybrid work flexibility may be available while maintaining a consistent in-office presence to effectively support programming and community engagement.
For full consideration, all materials must be RECEIVED no later than 12:00 AM Mountain Time on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. Please submit the following to apply:

• CV
• Cover Letter
• Special Required Documentation - Statement (no more than 5 pages) of how you meet all applicable "Required" and "Preferred" Job Qualifications. Please respond to each bullet point separately.

For questions regarding the application process, contact the Talent Acquisition office at HR_TA@colostate.edu. For questions regarding the job vacancy, responsibilities, and salary, please contact Trent Hollister at Trent.Hollister@colostate.edu.
Essential Job Duties:

• Develop, implement, evaluate, and report impacts of non-credit educational programming for youth and adult audiences in Elbert County.
• Provide leadership and support for county 4-H programming, including volunteer development, project support, youth leadership, and community engagement.
• Collaborate with local government, schools, advisory groups, community organizations, and agricultural partners to identify needs and deliver educational programming.
• Use technology, media resources, and innovative educational methods to increase access to Extension programs and information.
• Identify and secure resources including grants, sponsorships, contracts, in-kind contributions, and cost recovery opportunities to support educational programming.
• Participate in Extension work teams and collaborate with CSU faculty and Extension professionals to support statewide initiatives and information delivery.
• Manage program funds and reporting requirements in compliance with CSU and county fiscal policies and procedures.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with county commissioners, volunteers, community leaders, industry partners, and underserved audiences.

Conditions of Employment:

• Pre-employment Criminal Background Check required for new hires.
• Must have a valid driver's license or the ability to obtain a driver's license by the start date.
• Travel including day travel, overnight travel, evening and weekend activities, and occasional transportation of 4-H youth and/or volunteers.
• The successful candidate must be legally authorized to work in the United States by the proposed start date; the Office of Engagement and Extension will not sponsor a visa for this position.

Supervision:

• May supervise volunteers, temporary staff, and student employees associated with 4-H Youth Development programming.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Completed bachelor's degree. Conferred degree may be in Extension education, youth development, agricultural sciences, social sciences, family and consumer sciences, or a related field relevant to the responsibilities of the position.
• Coursework and/or professional experience that demonstrates a broad understanding of positive youth development principles.
• Three or more years of professional experience relevant to youth development, Extension programming, volunteer management, agriculture, or related educational programming.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Completed master's degree in Extension education, youth development, agricultural sciences, social sciences, family and consumer sciences, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience working with 4-H Youth Development programming, volunteers, and community-based educational initiatives.
• Knowledge and experience related to livestock, horse, STEM, shooting sports, agriculture, natural resources, or related youth project areas.
• Experience with budgetary accountability and securing external funding through grants, sponsorships, contracts, or fee-based programming.
• Evidence of ability to develop relationships with colleagues, volunteers, community members, partners, and agencies to assess conditions, define needs, and deliver strategies to achieve goals and measure desired outcomes.

Salary Range
$53,000 - $82,000
Required Application Documents
To apply, please upload the following applicant documents. Ensure your materials fully address the required and preferred job qualifications of the position. Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.
Cover Letter, Resume/CV, Special Required Documentation
Employee Benefits
Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it's a thriving community that's transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.

• Review our detailed benefits information here.
• Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here.
• For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator.
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Background Check Policy Statement
Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.
EEO
Colorado State University (CSU) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.