County Administration
Agriculture & Extension Division
1303 17th Street West | Palmetto, FL 34221
Monday – Friday, 8-5

Providing quality customer service to our citizens, business owners and visitors is Manatee County Government’s top priority, and that starts with our employees. We value Accountability, Civility, and Ethics in everything we do, and we look for friendly, innovative employees who share those values.

The Manatee County Extension Service is an educational program within county government which brings the resources of the University of Florida to Manatee County to solve local problems, provide educational opportunities, promote economic enhancement, and improve the quality of life for all.

4-H Program Specialist – The 4-H Youth Development Program Specialist is a very diverse position that encompasses all aspects of planning, implementing, and evaluating an informal extracurricular youth program under the direction of the County 4-H Extension Agent working in partnership with UF/IFAS. Extension office hours are 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., but the position requires flexible scheduling as it is responsible for supervising, coordinating, and teaching special events, weekend, and after school programs. The position involves daily communication with county 4-H volunteer leaders, youth, and the public. Program topics fall under three priority areas – STEM, Leadership, and Healthy Living, but most 4-H programs in Manatee County are agriculture/animal science focused. The program specialist is responsible for teaching hands-on experiential learning activities to youth, supervising youth on special events and field trips, assisting in training volunteers in positive youth development practices, as well as conducting a variety of administrative duties.

What Manatee County Government Offers

• 
  Comprehensive benefits package – Your Choice Manatee Health Plan
• Generous vacation/sick leave, 11 paid holidays
• Florida Retirement System (FRS)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Autonomy to grow and find your career path with supportive leadership

What You Will Do

• 
  Assist 4-H Extension Agent in the development and implementation of effective youth education programs with a focus on STEM, Agriculture, and Leadership
• Assist to recruit and train volunteers for club, long & short-term projects, & specific skill related positions
• Interpret 4-H Youth Development and Extension policies and procedures to county 4-H volunteer leaders and to the public
• Participate in promoting, designing, and facilitating school enrichment programs with public, private, and charter schools, with a special emphasis on STEM programs
• Assist in facilitating day and residential camps, leadership events, competitions, and special events for youth ages 8-18
• Assist in planning and coordinating community outreach events to promote the 4-H program and provide service-learning opportunities for members
• Prepare demonstration materials to aid in the presentation of classes. Examples are print materials, visual aids, or power point presentation
• Answer email, phone and social media questions about 4-H and programs
• Enter data in 4-H Online to track program participants. Assist youth and volunteers with enrollment and event registration in 4-H Online. Maintain records of programs and youth participants and provide report to County Extension Agent for end-of-the-year reporting
• Understand 4-H financial transactions and processes, assist in the maintenance of 4-H financial records
• Attend local, district, and state activities and events as needed. Travel includes taking youth to county, district, and state events
• Work in outdoor environments, possibly in adverse weather conditions.
• Must have flexible hours, nights, and weekend work possible

• Teaching experience using experiential learning techniques
• Knowledge of 4-H policies and procedures
• Experience working with diverse youth and adult audiences. Skill in planning a variety of programs for the target audiences
• Knowledge of STEM subject matters and ability to teach these topics to youth ages 5-18
• Written and oral communication skills with excellent interpersonal skills to be able to interact professional and effectively with internal and external personnel
• Full knowledge and understanding of computer application and software required to perform job duties such as Microsoft suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Forms, Teams), online meeting platforms (Zoom), and social media platforms
• Ability to adapt to last minute changes utilizing problem solving skills
• Animal husbandry knowledge/experience, comfortable working with youth and livestock in an educational setting
• Able to travel for extended periods, up to one week at a time

Required Skills

• 
  Bachelor’s degree in education, Youth Development/sociology, natural/environmental sciences, recreation, or related field
• A minimum of two (2) years’ experience in an education setting (informal or formal) working with volunteers in a leadership role, education, or management field
• Valid Drives License with valid Florida driver’s license with 30 days of hire
• Level 2 background check through Department of Children & Families
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered including formal classroom experience and or non-formal education work.

• Experience and skills in youth program development, teaching, and evaluation.
• Experience working with diverse youth and adult audiences. Skill in planning a variety of programs for the target audiences.
• Experience working with/coordinating volunteers
• Experience coordinating special events
• Knowledge of STEM subject matters and ability to teach these topics to youth ages 5-18.
• First Aid or CPR certification highly desired
• Animal husbandry knowledge/experience