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The Extension Specialist I position provides statewide leadership for Tennessee 4-H citizenship and leadership programs, teen programming, and international exchange opportunities. Responsibilities include planning, implementing, and evaluating educational programs and leadership experiences that develop civic engagement, workforce readiness, and global awareness among youth. The position collaborates with Extension personnel, volunteers, and partners to coordinate statewide events, leadership initiatives, and educational opportunities that support the mission and long-term goals of the Tennessee 4-H program.
Responsibilities
Teen Programming and Leadership Events:

• Coordinate statewide teen leadership programs and events including Tennessee 4-H Congress, Roundup, All Star Conference, leadership summits, ambassador programs, and other statewide teen initiatives.
• Provide oversight for educational content, event logistics, officer training, youth engagement strategies, and program evaluation.

Citizenship and Leadership Program Development:

• Develop, implement, and evaluate statewide citizenship, leadership, and teen programs.
• Create educational resources and provide training and support for Extension agents, volunteers, and youth leaders to strengthen program delivery and youth engagement across the state.

International Exchange and Global Education Programs:

• Coordinate statewide international exchange opportunities and global education initiatives including inbound and outbound exchanges, cultural immersion experiences, host family recruitment and support, and youth preparation activities.
• Maintain partnerships with international organizations and ensure compliance with university and risk management policies.

Partnerships and Resource Development:

• Build partnerships with universities, agencies, organizations, and community stakeholders while identifying grant and funding opportunities to expand statewide 4-H programs.

Training and Technical Assistance:

• Provide training, teaching, and technical support to Extension agents, volunteers, and partners through workshops, conferences, webinars, and other professional development opportunities.

Program Evaluation and Reporting:

• Conduct needs assessments, evaluate program outcomes, and analyze data to improve programs, demonstrate impact, and inform statewide priorities.

Qualifications
Required Qualifications

• Education: Requires a Master's degree in Education, Agriculture, Family & Consumer Sciences, or a closely related field.
• Experience: Substantial work experience which demonstrates promise in teaching, Extension and/or service in alignment with the appointment.
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
  
  • Knowledge of 4-H youth development programming
  • Willingness to travel statewide and work evenings and weekends as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: PhD. in Education, Agriculture, Family & Consumer Sciences, or a closely related field.
• Experience: Experience with program evaluation, assessment, reporting, data management, and securing external funding to strengthen programs, demonstrate impact, and support continuous improvement.
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
  
  • Strong organizational, communication, relationship-building, and project management skills with the ability to coordinate multiple statewide youth programs, leadership initiatives, and events.
  • Ability to develop, deliver, and evaluate educational programs, curricula, professional development, and in-service training while collaborating effectively with Extension agents, volunteers, youth, faculty, partners, and stakeholders.
  • Knowledge of teen leadership development and international exchange or global education programs

Work Location

• Location: Knoxville, TN - hybrid

Compensation and Benefits

• Anticipated hiring range: Starting salary based on education & experience
• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
• Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions
To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments. To be assured of full consideration, completed applications with all requested materials should be submitted on or before August 10th, 2026.

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• List of 3 Professional References

About The College/Department/Division
UT Extension provides a gateway to the University of Tennessee as the outreach unit of the Institute of Agriculture. It is a statewide educational organization, funded by federal, state and local governments, that brings research-based information about agriculture, family and consumer sciences, and resource development to the people of Tennessee where they live and work.
4-H is the youth development program of UT Extension. Preparing young people to become responsible, capable, and involved leaders and citizens of Tennessee, and the nation, is the goal of the 4-H program. The goal is accomplished by providing educational experiences for young people to gain knowledge, develop life skills, live healthy lives, make intelligent career choices, and form positive attitudes-values young people will rely on throughout their lives. Tennessee 4-H, a component of the Tennessee Extension system, is a leader in youth development education that accomplishes the following:

• Works with all eligible youth to provide effective, enjoyable learning experiences.
• Develops unity in all types of family structures.
• Utilizes a quality-applied curriculum in classroom and community-based settings.
• Reflects and values cultural and human diversity.
• Employs competent, educated, self-motivated staff who are valued assets of the land-grant university system, and are recognized as youth development experts.
• Utilizes creative staffing patterns and contemporary working environments.
• Delivers programs through cooperative efforts of the University of Tennessee, Tennessee State University, and public and private sector volunteers.

About Us
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees-the Volunteers-who uphold the university's tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service.
UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee's flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy's largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service.
UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices to attract and retain top-tier talent, fostering a strong staff community and supporting a culture of involvement and engagement for everyone.
The university holds a strong commitment to its land-grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as "Best Employer for New Graduates," "One of America's Best Large Employers," and "Best Workplace for Women," and has been designated as "Best Place for Working Parents" by Forbes Magazine.
Apply today and join the Tennessee Volunteer community!