Community Education Assistant CL2 4-H (id:83986)
Orono
Cooperative Extension - OCES
ACSUM
B22
Ellsworth ME
Position is available to employees of the Associated C.O.L.T. Staff of the University of Maine from 03/13/2024 through 03/19/2024 and open to external applicants thereafter.
The University of Maine Cooperative Extension 4-H Community Education Assistant CL2 in Hancock County is responsible for engaging youth, educators, volunteers, and community partners in educational programming around sustainable aquaculture literacy, aquaculture career exploration, and STEM in support of the “Activating Aquaculture Technology Learning” grant project. 4-H is the positive youth development program of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension and 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. The USDA-funded project supports the 4-H Aquaponics Project, a project-based learning experience for K-12 youth established through a partnership between University of Maine Cooperative Extension 4-H, UMaine Center for Cooperative Aquaculture Research (CCAR) and the UMaine Aquaculture Research Institute (ARI). A core component of this position is supporting educators and youth who are participating in the 4-H Aquaponics Project, which aims to increase accessibility to high quality, experiential learning opportunities that expose diverse learners to sustainable aquaculture technologies and careers, aquatic animal husbandry, aquaria, aquaponics, horticulture, and more. The University of Maine Cooperative Extension 4-H Community Education Assistant CL2 in Hancock County position is for an initial period of two years and may continue contingent upon funding. This position will be located at the Cooperative Extension Office in Ellsworth, Maine. Full-time, 40 hours per week, 5 days per week. Daily work hours are Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This position pays $18.22/hour.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Assist in designing, developing, and preparing instructional materials for 4-H aquaculture programs associated with the grant project, incorporating the 4-H Thriving Model of positive youth development.
- Organize and facilitate 4-H aquaculture programs and events.
- Coordinate and communicate with 4-H volunteers, 4-H staff, community partners, and educators to plan, organize, and deliver 4-H aquaculture programs.
- Assist with the recruitment, training, and ongoing support of youth and educator participants in 4-H aquaculture programs, such as the 4-H Aquaponics Project and Aquaculture Ambassadors programs.
- Manage inventory of 4-H aquaculture materials and supplies.
- Assist in designing and developing marketing materials, such as 4-H program flyers, social media posts, 4-H newsletter, etc.
- Participate in regular meetings, including monthly project meetings, Hancock County staff meetings, 4-H Program Leadership Team meetings, and more.
- Collaborate with 4-H staff statewide on 4-H Aquaculture programs relevant to the grant project.
- Handle verbal and written communications for a broad range of questions, issues, and requests.
- Maintain records and files, and submit regular reports. Adhere to civil rights requirements and track and report civil rights activities as required by federal sponsor.
- Develop and maintain professional relationships that reflect courtesy, civility, and mutual respect.
- Commit to organizational improvement by identifying opportunities to improve and recommending possible alternatives for a situation.
- Build productive relationships with internal and external constituencies.
- Operate computer and audiovisual equipment, including virtual reality tools.
- Perform other reasonably related duties as assigned.
The University of Maine is a community of more than 11,900 undergraduate and graduate students, and 2,500 employees located on the Orono campus, the regional campus in Machias, and throughout the state. UMaine is a land, sea and space grant university, and maintains a leadership role as the University of Maine System's flagship institution. UMaine is the state's public research university and a Carnegie R1 top-tier research institution, dedicated to providing excellent teaching, research and service for Maine, the nation and the world. More information about UMaine is at umaine.edu .
The University of Maine offers a wide range of benefits for employees including, but not limited to, tuition benefits (employee and dependent), comprehensive insurance coverage including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and short and long term disability as well as retirement plan options. As a former NSF ADVANCE institution, the University of Maine is committed to diversity in our workforce and to dual-career couples.
Cooperative Extension is the doorway to UMaine expertise. For over 100 years, Extension has been putting university research to work in homes, businesses, farms, and communities — in every corner of Maine. These educational efforts focus on the Maine Food System and Positive Youth Development through 4-H programs. In addition to state offices in Orono, there is a network of county-based offices staffed by experts who provide practical, locally-based solutions for farmers, small business owners, kids, parents, consumers, and many others. Cooperative Extension actively strives to be an equitable, sustainable, purposeful and enjoyable place to work. We are interested in candidates who can contribute diverse experiences and perspectives to the department and campus
Many employees report that a primary reason for choosing UMaine is quality of life. From harbors overlooking the Atlantic Ocean to Baxter Peak, the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail, Maine offers a myriad of natural beauty and landscapes perfect for outdoor adventures. About 90% of the state is forested with 3,500 miles of shoreline. Residents living in Maine experience all four seasons; including cold and snowy winters, short and beautiful summers, and incredible foliage changes in the fall. Forestry, agriculture, tourism and, of course, lobsters play a large role in Maine’s economy. Numerous cultural activities, excellent public schools, safe neighborhoods, high quality medical care, little traffic and a reasonable cost of living make Maine a wonderful place to live.
Required:
- High school diploma or equivalent (G.E.D.).
- Approximately three years of positive youth development and/or community outreach experience.
- Effective written, oral, electronic, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks in an autonomous work environment.
- Previous experience working in a team-oriented environment.
- Ability to prepare, organize, and maintain records, files, reports, teaching aids, and materials.
- Proficiency with computer programs such as Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, as well as Google Workspace and document management software, and a demonstrated knowledge of modern office procedures and equipment.
- Classroom or group management skills.
- Commitment to confidentiality, safety, and risk management, while exercising initiative and sound judgment.
- Ability to work well and effectively with a diverse population in a variety of settings.
- Exemplary customer service skills.
- Ability and willingness to learn UMaine policies, procedures, and rules relevant to program areas.
- Ability to 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 University of Maine’s Cooperative Extension and 4-H programs.
- Bachelor's Degree or higher with relevant coursework in marine biology, aquaculture, horticulture, education, and/or related fields.
- Previous experience with delivering positive youth development programming to diverse communities, including indigenous, people with disabilities, and other underserved communities.
- Experience teaching in a marine or aquaculture-related field.
- Previous personal or professional experience with aquaculture, aquaria, aquatic animal husbandry, aquaponics, or hydroponics.
- Communication/marketing experience and/or the ability to learn (such as social media, graphic design, etc).
- 4-H Youth Alumni and/or training as a 4-H Volunteer.
Materials must be submitted via "Apply For Position" below. You will need to create a profile and application; upload:
1.) a cover letter which describes your experience, interests, and suitability for the position
2.) a resume/curriculum vitae
3.) contact information for three professional references
You will also need to submit the affirmative action survey, the self-identification of disability form, and the self-identification of veteran status forms. Incomplete application materials cannot be considered. Materials received after the initial review date will be reviewed at the discretion of the University.
Search Timeline is as follows:
Review of applications to begin: April 1, 2024
Interviews to begin no earlier than: April 15, 2024
Tentative start date: May 8, 2024
For questions about the search, please contact search committee chair Carla Scocchi, [email protected]
The successful applicant is subject to appropriate background screening and post offer physical.
In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).
Fiscal Year (12 Months)
Cover Letter, References, Resume/CV