NorhtStar 4-H Program Coordinator

The NorthStar 4-H Program Coordinator is a leadership role within a collaborative team, responsible for managing day-to-day mentoring program activities, addressing student needs, and maintaining communication with schools. This position supports year-round programming, connecting students with caring adults through expeditionary learning, service learning, community and school engagement, and adventure education. Key responsibilities include program development and delivery, risk management, and expedition supervision. Typical hiring range for this soft-money funded position is $44,507 to $45,307 commensurate with qualifications and experience. 

Complete Job Description
About the University:
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.

About the Extension:
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 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.

Qualifications:

Required: 

• You have earned an Associate’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• You have 1 or more years of experience in the Positive Youth Development (PYD) field, designing and delivering safe spaces and programming for youth.
• You have a valid Maine driver’s license and are eligible to be authorized and approved as a university driver based on the Driver Administration Policy.
• With or without reasonable accommodation, you can lift up to 50 pounds occasionally, walk/hike 5-8 miles with a backpack over uneven terrain, and engage actively in outdoor and classroom activities.
• You possess practical oral and written communication skills with the ability to articulate ideas clearly and concisely.
• You are proficient with computer programs such as Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Google Drive and are comfortable using social media to market the program and communicate with clients.
• You have a demonstrated ability to work independently and as a team to achieve measurable results and manage multiple tasks.

Preferred: 

• You hold a Bachelor’s degree in one of the following specialized fields of Social Work, School Counseling, Outdoor Recreation Leadership, Adventure or Experiential Education, Wilderness Therapy, Education, or a related field.
• You have a demonstrated ability to mentor youth and volunteers to create cohesive and effective teams.
• You have experience in organizational management and can prioritize and manage events, programs, expeditions, and field trips.
• You have a strong community service and expeditionary learning background, demonstrating a commitment to building relationships and fostering community.
• You have a strong understanding of risk management and demonstrated experience planning and managing multi-day expeditions (including schedules, food safety, and risk management) and the ability to manage the needs of all participants in varying weather conditions.
• You have experience driving 12-passenger vans with loaded trailers or are willing to receive training upon hire.
• You bring leadership experience with a background in supervision
• You are committed to obtaining a Maine State Trip Leader Permit within 6 months of hire.
• You hold a Wilderness First Responder (or higher) and CPR for the Professional Rescuer Certification (or equivalent) or are committed to obtaining these within six months of hire.
• You have experience working with diverse audiences, a strong understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and are knowledgeable about equal opportunity, affirmative action, and civil rights policies.

Who We Are: 

The University of Maine 4-H Camp and Learning Center at Bryant Pond is located in the Western Maine mountains on Lake Christopher. This center provides year-round experiential education programming, both on and off-site, to a wide range of diverse audiences. Programs offered include summer camp, day and overnight school programs, expeditionary learning opportunities, community-based youth mentoring, The Telstar Freshman Academy (a partnership with SAD 44), afterschool programs, and adult education.

4-H stands as the largest youth development organization in America. Our commitment lies in recognizing the potential of all young people, advocating for access and equity for everyone, applying mentoring practices that foster youth thriving, developing positive learning experiences, and meeting young people where they are.