Title: Youth Development Operations Manager
Job code: 9341A1
Employee Group:
Full/Part Time (FTE): 100%
Regular/Temporary: regular
Office location: Prefer UMN St. Paul Campus - Coffey Hall; other regional Extension office may be possible. This is an in-office, in-person position with possibilities for flexible work.
Estimated salary range: $82,000-92,000
Apply by: July 21, 2026
About the Job
This position provides statewide leadership of the Department of Youth Developments 4-H program's adherence to requirements of federal and state government, the University of Minnesota, and the 4-H youth development program; ensuring the safety and well-being of youth participants, and maintaining the integrity of the 4-H experience. This role involves developing, implementing and enforcing policies and procedures, monitoring and providing guidance to the adherence to requirements. This role includes leadership of group exemption status, chartering, constitution and bylaws, financial management, tax management, agreements, risk management, insurance (collectively known as 4-H program operations), youth and volunteer enrollment, youth, parent, and volunteer code of conduct, and other areas. This role ensures 4 H Youth Development programs meet all legal, regulatory, and organizational standards.The manager will lead the implementation of internal controls, support audit processes, and guide program alignment across regional teams for the Department of Youth Development under the direction of and supervision by the Director of Operations & Systems.
This role will also directly supervise some team members whose work is embedded in operations, adherence to policies and practices, or have similar responsibilities.
Location and Work Environment
This position is located in the Department of Youth Development office (Coffey Hall) on the UMN St. Paul campus, or other regional Extension office may be possible, with potential for hybrid options. Travel a few times per month throughout the state is required to perform the responsibilities of this position.
Work Schedule
Typical schedule is workdays, Monday through Friday. This position requires occasional attendance and participation at evening and/or weekend meetings, fairs, camps and related events; often scheduled in advance.
Primary Responsibilities
Operations, compliance, and risk management oversight 50%
- Develop, implement, and oversee adherence of policies and procedures for the 4-H Youth Development program operations. Some examples of areas for this are: risk management plans, financial practices, health and safety requirements, contracts and agreements, and volunteer screening.
- Lead the Department in planning and monitoring compliance and related requirements of the 4-H Youth Development program operations as a public organization, including group exemption status, group chartering, federation/council and club constitution and bylaws, financial reporting, and tax management.
- Monitor youth member and adult volunteer enrollment requirements; follow up and address concerns with Educators or others involved in this process.
- Ensure understanding of and department compliance with the volunteer screening process; including background check and related requirements.
- Develop, facilitate and document responses to reports, investigation, communication, and tracking of misconduct of volunteers, parents, and/or youth to include problem solving processes for responding and bringing resolution to issues.
- Identify and escalate serious or high level issues to the Director of Operations and Systems (DOOS). Contribute to the process of resolving the issues; includes working with the DOOS and other University and partner offices (Office of General Council, Office of Risk Management, and related) and have positive and productive work relationships with all parties.
- Monitor 4-H programs and events to ensure compliance of and adherence to established risk management and Safety of Minors and related policies and procedures; conducting audits as needed.
- Design and maintain internal control systems to uphold the integrity of financial processes to help prevent errors, fraud, and inefficiencies; evaluate their effectiveness and recommend improvements.
- Initiate and manage audit plans related to 4-H programs. Includes overseeing the compliance audits and investigations, addressing potential risks, and managing the audit plan and response processes; partnering with and leading 4-H specialists in these processes. Responding to risks, violations, or identified needs or process gaps.
- Audit and resolve issues to ensure processes, procedures, and guides such as constitutions, bylaws, credit and debit card processes, and tax filings, are accurate and up-to-date. Follow up and respond to inaccuracies or issues with team members and supervisors involved.
- Partner with Program Leaders and department leadership on compliance or process concerns, audits and other operations procedure execution and non-compliance.
- Other related duties as assigned
Policy Development & Implementation 30%
- Develop and implement 4-H Youth Development program operations policies and procedures, ensuring they align with state and national regulations as well as meeting Extension and department standards.
- Design, develop, evaluate and improve resources, trainings, and tools that streamline and guide 4-H program operations to meet compliance requirements and standards.
- Lead the rollout of new or revised policies related to operations and compliance, and monitor adherence across the department .
- Continuously improve resources and tools to support department operational efficiency and compliance, including managing forms and documentation, tracking review and renewal dates, and initiating required reviews to ensure timely completion and adherence to organizational standards.
- Coordinate with Youth Development Department leaders to ensure consistent policy application and risk mitigation.
- Maintain and manage legal documentation updating timelines and compliance requirements.
- Keeping abreast of changes in state and national 4-H regulations and best practices, share findings with the Director of Operations & Systems and other leaders and teams as needed.
Supervision, Training, & Team Leadership 15%
- Lead the 4-H program operations team to develop training initiatives to educate staff and volunteers on operations standards. Lead training and education efforts for staff and volunteers on adherence to policies and procedures, legal updates, and best practices; manage completion metrics and conduct evaluations for constant improvements.
- Supervise employees in the 4-H program operations team.
- Co-lead and be the resource to regional support staff teams focused on 4-H program and volunteer systems screening processes.
- Foster collaboration and accountability within teams to drive alignment with department goals.
Systems & Communication Management 5%
- Oversee the accuracy and relevance of compliance-related information on the department internal intranet and public website.
- Support internal communication and knowledge-sharing of updated procedures, policies, and resources.
- Manage the development and dissemination of 4-H Youth Development program operational resources, systems, and tools.