Employment Opportunity: Community Education Assistant

The University of Maine Cooperative Extension in Hancock County invites applications for a part-time Community Education Assistant CL2. Employee will work 16 hours per week to support the 4-H Youth Development program and 4 hours per week to support the Maine Extension Homemakers group in Hancock County. 4-H is the positive youth development program of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension. Hancock County 4-H is focused on educating and empowering youth ages 5-18 through positive and sustained relationships between youth and adults, activities that build important life skills, and opportunities for youth to use these skills as participants and leaders in valued community activities. Maine Extension Homemakers is an adult volunteer group that has the goal of developing leadership, supporting worthy community causes, and promoting University of Maine Cooperative Extension’s educational programs. The purpose of this group remains tied to strengthening and extending adult education into the home and community. Hancock County Extension Homemakers are involved with many different community projects such as local food pantries, elderly groups, scholarships for high school students, 4-H camperships, and more. Starting pay for this position is $14.23 per hour.

Full Job Description and To Apply

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

 

• Organizes and plans county 4-H events in collaboration with 4-H Volunteers.
• Delivers educational 4-H programs using established curriculum.
• Supports 4-H clubs, groups, and activities.
• Offers research-based youth development information to parents, community, and school partners.
• Collaborates with local youth serving organizations to offer 4-H youth development programming.
• Serve as the advisor for the Hancock County Extension Homemaker group, which includes attending county meetings and programs.
• Utilize a Community Development approach in working with the Maine Extension Homemakers (county and statewide) and assist them with their educational programs and community outreach.
• Work as part of a team with county and statewide Cooperative Extension staff to support the Maine Extension Homemakers.
• Attend statewide Maine Extension Homemakers Council (MEHC) Executive Committee meetings that occur in November, February, and June.
• Attend State Maine Extension Homemaker Meetings (Fall and Spring).
• Attend MEHC all Committee Day meeting, if held.
• Coordinates volunteer efforts.
• Assists with training and ongoing support for 4-H and Maine Extension Homemakers Volunteers.
• Handling verbal and written communications for a broad range of questions, issues and requests.
• Regularly participates in local Extension staff meetings.
• Plans and adapts educational materials for delivery to different audiences.
• Maintains records, files, and submits regular reports. Adheres to civil rights requirements and tracks and reports civil rights activities as required by federal sponsor.
• Promotes Extension programs in the community through outreach as well as contributing to communication efforts via newsletters, social media, etc.
• Assists in designing and developing marketing materials.
• Operates computer and audiovisual equipment.
• Undertake professional development training as negotiated with supervisor.
• Assists with administrative office coverage as needed.
• Develops and maintains professional relationships that reflect courtesy, civility, and mutual respect.
• Builds productive relationships with internal and external constituencies.
• Utilizes coaching and mentoring methods that provide an environment that is anticipatory, supportive, and encourages constructive feedback on performance.
• Commits to organizational improvement by identifying opportunities to improve and recommending possible alternatives for a situation.
• Performs other reasonably related duties as assigned.

 

 

Knowledge and Skill Qualifications:

Required:

 

• High school diploma or equivalent (G.E.D.)
• Approximately one to three years of volunteer management and/or youth teaching experience.
• Effective written, oral, electronic, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to prepare, organize, and maintain records, files, reports, teaching aids, and materials.
• Demonstrated proficiency with Google Suite and/or Microsoft Office/iOS.
• Formal or informal teaching experience.
• Classroom or group management skills.
• Ability to work well and effectively with a diverse population in a variety of settings.
• Exemplary customer service skills.
• Demonstrated knowledge of modern office procedures and equipment.
• Previous experience working in a team-oriented environment.
• Demonstrated sound judgment, attention to detail, initiative, and commitment to confidentiality.
• Ability and willingness to learn UMaine policies, procedures, and rules relevant to program areas.
• Ability to occasionally lift 30 to 50 pounds.
• Ability to provide both office-based and off-site program support.
• Ability to travel requiring a valid State of Maine driver’s license and access to motor vehicle. Mileage is reimbursed at current University rate.

 

 

Preferred:

 

• Knowledge of Cooperative Extension/4-H and its mission.
• Associates Degree or higher with relevant coursework in education, social work, or related fields.
• Communication/Marketing experience and/or the ability to learn (such as social media, etc).
• Previous experience working with volunteer programs and volunteer recruitment.
• 4-H Youth Alumni and/or training as a 4-H Adult Volunteer.

 

 

Work Environment:

 

The University of Maine Cooperative Extension Hancock County Office is located in Ellsworth, ME.  Office hours are M – F 8:00 – 4:30. Schedule to be determined in consultation with supervisor and flexible within normal Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. business hours.  Occasional evening and weekend program support is required.  Work may be performed in an office, classroom, public school, library, or other community location.  This position is based in Ellsworth, Maine. Appropriate background checks are required.

 

 

Other Information:

 

Materials must be submitted via “Apply For Position.” You will need to create a profile and application; upload a cover letter and resume/curriculum vitae that fully describes your qualifications and experiences with specific reference to the required qualifications; provide contact information for three professional references. You will also need to complete the affirmative action survey, the self-identification of disability form, and the self-identification of veteran status forms. Incomplete application materials cannot be considered. Screening will begin in August and continue until a suitable candidate is found.

 

Full Job Description and To Apply

 

The University of Maine is an EEO/AA employer, and does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender expression, national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, genetic information or veteran’s status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities.