Positive Youth Development Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Job Description
The Community Education Specialist 2 (CES 2) position will be located in the University of California Cooperative Extension Office and will act as a valuable team member of the 4-H Youth Development Program (4-H YDP). 4-H YDP is the largest youth-serving organization in the U.S. Our focus is to provide positive youth development to youth in our community through research-based best practices, community collaborations, and community engagement. The CES 2 helps to coordinate and monitor the daily activities of the 4-H Youth Development Program (4-H YDP) in Colusa County. The CES is responsible for program expansion, outreach, and recruitment in consultation with the 4-H Regional Program Coordinator and Advisor; ensures compliance with 4-H policies and procedures; facilitates conflict management and assists with conflict resolution in accordance with UC ANR policy and practices and in alignment with 4-H policy and procedures; promotes positive youth development best practices; provides leadership and training for 4-H volunteers and community partners; processes all appropriate paperwork in compliance with UC ANR procedures, is familiar with curricula and research-based practices to prepare, implement, and train others in the delivery of educational activities in a variety of content areas such as but not limited to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math), College & Career/Workforce Readiness, Healthy Living, Civic Engagement & Leadership through a Positive Youth Development (PYD) lens; provides effective written and verbal communication to 4-H staff, volunteers, youth, and community partners; leads and supports program coordination to carry out different 4-H educational programs, events, and activities. The CES reports to the 4-H Regional Program Coordinator
This position is a career appointment that is 50% variable.
Pay Scale: $21.26/hour to $28.26/hour
Job Posting Close Date:
This job is open until filled. The first application review date will be 03/09/2026.
Key Responsibilities:
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Program Liaison and Coordination:
Oversee the local 4-H Youth Development Program (YDP) to ensure activities, events, and outreach are implemented safely, consistently, and in alignment with positive youth development principles. Ensure that programs are welcoming, accessible, and responsive to the needs of youth and families across all communities. Monitor program compliance in line with University and 4-H YD policies and procedures. Work with groups of volunteers, youth, and community partners and serve as their direct liaison. Provide training and support to community club leaders, project leaders, other volunteers, youth, and community partners using approved materials and curriculum, including (but not limited to) specific curriculum, positive youth development (Thrive), online enrollment systems, and policy. Provide feedback to Regional Program Coordinator and Advisor on needs for advanced training. Support interested groups in starting new 4-H programs, including chartering new clubs, reviewing and approving documents, and submitting all paperwork to the appropriate individuals. Maintain up-to-date understanding of 4-H YD policies and relevant UC ANR policies and ensure timely communication of new or existing 4-H policies, procedures, and enrollment processes to new and returning 4-H youth, volunteers, parents, and community partners. Collaborate with 4-H Volunteer Management Organizations and committees. Attend meetings as needed. Aim to ensure a cohesive, diverse volunteer management system. Effectively resolve conflict. Provide oversight, review complaints, and follow 4-H Conflict Resolution Policy. Effectively and timely resolve conflict. Keep your RPC (Regional Program Coordinator) informed of all conflicts and complaints. Notify Regional Program Coordinator (RPC) if the complaint escalates and needs higher review. Ensure all needed UC ANR individuals are notified as needed. All 4-H professionals serve as mandated reporters under California Law. Disseminate 4-H information via the 4-H website, collaborative tools, emails, social media, newsletters, blogs, etc. Be a champion for use of multiple delivery models so that all youth may engage in the 4-H program. Serve as a liaison and communication link to community organizations, including but not limited to local schools, youth-based community organizations, race/ethnic-based community organizations, education-aligned organizations, and local fairs. Represent the 4-H YDP in the county. Provide information about the 4-H YDP to the public. Build knowledge and skills in the areas of intercultural development, youth development, youth leadership, development of life skills, and volunteerism. Develop knowledge and expertise in a variety of content areas such as but not limited to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math), College & Career/Workforce Readiness, Healthy Living, Civic Engagement & Leadership through a Positive Youth Development (PYD) lens. Attend and participate in relevant professional development opportunities, virtual webinars, state/regional meetings and trainings, California 4-H State Association meetings and trainings, and monthly state 4-H meetings, including in-person conferences as funding allows.
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Enrollment and Records:
Monitor, ensure accuracy, and approve youth and volunteer enrollments in compliance with 4-H state policy. Recruit, train, and support volunteer enrollment coordinators to assist in the enrollment process. Screen new volunteer applications, and ensure volunteers follow and complete all volunteer enrollment steps, including DOJ/FBI fingerprinting and required annual trainings. Serve as the key contact person, providing guidance, support, and processing official documents in line with the University and 4-H YD policies and procedures. Ensure 4-H Record Retention Guidelines are followed.
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Program Expansion, Outreach, and Recruitment:
Promote and expand 4-H programs in schools and communities. In consultation with the Regional Program Coordinator and Advisor, assist with developing an effective outreach program to increase 4-H program participation. Assist with developing strategic and outreach plans to expand the 4-H program to diverse communities. Assist in assessing what communities are unserved/underserved and develop community outreach and education plans to extend programs. Conducts community outreach and education to minority and underserved populations and delivers educational programs in Spanish and English in culturally relevant and responsive ways. Assist 4-H community clubs with outreach efforts to ensure compliance with affirmative action requirements and to expand and diversify youth and adult volunteer club membership. In consultation with the Regional Program Coordinator (RPC) and Advisor, assist with developing programs or content to reach new audiences and/or establish programs in underserved areas.
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Facility Use Agreements and Policy Compliance Review:
Provide technical support and advice for 4-H event and program coordination. Monitor compliance of 4-H policy, including facility use agreement and risk management. Process facility use agreement and rental requests and ensure that established deadlines are followed. Respond to policy inquiries from 4-H members, families and/or adult volunteers. Seek technical support from Regional Program Coordinator (RPC) and appropriate personnel at the statewide level. Ensure 4-H members, families, volunteers, 4-H programs/units, and volunteer management organizations comply with University and 4-H policies and procedures. Provides education and support for volunteers, including but not limited to conflict management solutions, conflict resolution, and issuing disciplinary actions.
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Fiscal Review and Compliance:
Ensure review and approval of 4-H unit budgets and fundraising approval forms are done by appropriate personnel. Review 4-H unit/VMO monthly bank statements for compliance with 4-H policies. Follow up and take corrective action for non-compliance. Email the 4-H unit leader and/or treasurer with the respective redacted bank statement(s). Assist 4-H units and ensure end-of-the-year financial reporting requirements are met by the due date.
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Communications:
Maintain 4-H county social media, create flyers for recruiting youth membership, volunteers, and community partners and educational materials using Canva, Microsoft products, or other design software. Assist in creating educational presentations, and manage data using 4-H enrollment software and Excel. Manage and update 4-H websites.
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Reports:
Assist in preparing an annual plan of action, county reports, grant and funding reports, progress reports and end-of-the year accomplishments report as requested by the Regional Program Coordinator or Advisor. Assist Regional Program Coordinator (RPC) in preparing affirmative action reports and other UC/4-H reports.
0% All other duties as requested. Duties described in the position description and their percentages vary by county and location. Supervisor will provide percentages specific to your county.
Requirements:

• A minimum associate degree in a related field and/or equivalent experience/training in personnel management, youth development, program management, volunteer management, training professionals, and conducting workshops.
• Associate degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
• Experience working with diverse communities in a respectful and responsive way that reflects a commitment to serving everyone
• Demonstrated success in teaching and working with a diverse youth, family, and/or volunteer audience and knowledge in delivering community educational programs.
• Familiarity with community-based agencies and experience collaborating with multiple community organizations.
• Ability to understand, interpret, and communicate departmental and organizational policies and procedures and ensure compliance.
• Working knowledge of conducting needs assessment.
• Good analytical skills to understand how program needs can be addressed through the development and delivery of training programs.
• Good reading, verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills.
• Good presentation skills.
• Proficient in use of Windows-based computers with knowledge of Microsoft Office programs (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

Preferred Skills:

• Bilingual English/Spanish
• Demonstrated ability to recognize similarities and differences across cultures and to bridge differences.
• Proficient in the use of social media to communicate 4-H information and reach new audiences.
• Experience in marketing, promoting or creating public awareness of programs and opportunities.
• Proficient in the use of any graphic design software such as Adobe Design, Photoshop or Microsoft Publisher, Canva.
• Proficient web-based computer applications such, Constant Contact, integrated management systems, and cloud storage systems.

Special Conditions of Employment:

• Must comply with regulatory agency reporting requirements (California's Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act).
• Must possess valid California Driver's License to drive a County or University vehicle. Ability and means to travel on a flexible schedule as needed, proof of liability damage insurance on vehicle used is required. Reimbursement of job-related travel will be reimbursed according to University policies.
• The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check. This is a designated position requiring a background check and may require fingerprinting due to the nature of the job responsibilities. UC ANR does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities.
• As of January 1, 2014, ANR is a smoke- and tobacco-free environment in which smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco products, and the use of unregulated nicotine products (e-cigarettes), is strictly prohibited.
• As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs , as may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.
• Exercise the utmost discretion in managing sensitive information learned in the course of performing their duties. Sensitive information includes but is not limited to employee and student records, health and patient records, financial data, strategic plans, proprietary information, and any other sensitive or non-public information learned during the course and scope of employment. Understands that sensitive information should be shared on a limited basis and actively takes steps to limit access to sensitive information to individuals who have legitimate business need to know. Ensure that sensitive information is properly safeguarded. Follow all organizational policies and laws on data protection and privacy. This includes secure handling of physical and digital records and proper usage of IT systems to prevent data leaks. The unauthorized or improper disclosure of confidential work-related information obtained from any source on any work-related matter is a violation of these expectations.
• Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer.

1. "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies governing employee conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, or discrimination, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
  
  • UC Anti-Disc