Benton County Extension serves Iowans through four program areas: Agriculture and Natural Resources, Human Sciences, 4-H Youth Development and Community Economic Development. The Benton County Extension Council, county staff, and ISU Extension and Outreach specialists work together to provide researchbased learning opportunities for our residents. Through this partnership, we carry Iowa State University's land-grant mission across Benton County. The AmeriCorps 4-H Outreach Educator will partner with the 4-H Youth Program Specialist, 4-H County Youth Coordinator, and Extension County Director to advance the Iowa 4-H program in Benton County.
- Collaborate with the 4-H team to deliver research-based educational programs with identified program partners in the Benton County program, including but not limited to: o 4-H Mindful Teen programming in partnership with Vinton-Shellsburg High School and Middle Schools (primary audience 8-12th grade youth) o 4-H immersion programming in partnership with the Benton County Home School Assistance Program (primary audience K-8 th grade youth) o 4-H afterschool programming in partnership with local libraries (primary audience K-5th grade youth)
- Communicate effectively and build relationships with county extension council members, families, volunteers, co-workers, partners and community stakeholders to build, grow, and strengthen educational programs.
- Represent Iowa State University, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, AmeriCorps, and Iowa 4-H professionally and positively.
- Collaborate with the 4-H Youth Program Specialist to administer program evaluations and share impacts with county extension council and partners regularly.
- Apply Positive Youth Development practices to in-and out-of-school settings.
- Group facilitation skills
- Ability to communicate with a team
- Self-motivated with ability to work with minimal supervision
- Cultural competence
- Problem solving skills
- Computer skills, including Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel
- Organizational skills
- Dependability
- High school completion or equivalence
- Experience delivering programs/curriculum
- Experience working with K-12th grade youth
POSITION DETAILS: This is a minimum-time AmeriCorps position (300 hours, September-July). AmeriCorps provides a bi-monthly living allowance ($3,000.00 total). Upon successful completion of the service term, the member is eligible to receive an education award ($1,459.26) to repay qualified student loans, pay current educational expenses at a qualified school, or pay current educational expenses while in an approved school-to-work program. Training opportunities and professional development are provided by the host-site.