Keeping Goochland Rural

Everyone wants to keep as much of Goochland as rural as possible. What does that mean? Supporting all manner of agriculture and educating our kids about where food comes from and stewardship  of the land is a good start.

The Virginia Cooperative Extension, https://ext.vt.edu/ based at Virginia Tech the Commonwealth’s land grant university, provides a wealth of programs and services. Among them is 4H, the nation’s largest youth development organization, which has been around for almost a century. (See https://4-h.org/about/history/ for details.)

Goochland’s Cooperative Extension office is seeking a part-time 4-H Youth Development Coordinator.

The 4-H Youth Development Coordinator is a professional educator who provides leadership to the local 4-H program and manages its day-to-day operation.  4-H is a community of young people learning leadership, citizenship, and life skills.  The mission of 4-H is to help youth, and adults working with those youth, to realize their full potential and become effective, contributing citizens.  This is achieved through the development and delivery of research-based, non-formal, hands-on educational experiences.

This position will be housed in the recently renovated Agricultural Center, which is part of the Central High School Educational and Cultural Center in Sandy Hook. 

The 4-H program in Goochland reflects both its rural history and evolving needs.  There are four existing 4-H clubs: Livestock, Equine, Shooting Sports, and Trailblazers. 

Responsibilities:

·        Coordinate with Goochland County Public Schools to deliver virtual or in-person programs as needed, such as the 4-H Embryology Project, Fourth Grade Ag Days, and Junior Master Gardeners

·        Plan, promote, and organize 4-H Camp for Goochland county youth.  Direction will be provided by the 4-H Agent in Powhatan

·        Serve as a resource for 4-H club leaders and youth

·        Update Goochland 4-H social media

·        Additional 4-H responsibilities as needed

 

A minimum of a bachelor’s degree (BA or BS) in a relevant discipline from an accredited college or university is required. This position is part-time and is capped at 20 hours per week.  Salary is commensurate with education and experience.  Funding for this position is available through June 30, 2021.  A background check is required.

To apply, please submit a cover letter and current resume to Nicole Shuman by mail at 2748 Dogtown Road, Goochland, VA 23063 or by email at nks49@vt.edu.  Application review will begin on August 17, 2020.     

Virginia Cooperative Extension employees recognize the importance of diversity and inclusion in the development and delivery of Extension programs, actively work to diversify program participation, and are responsible for VCE’s civil rights policies and compliance with affirmative action.

Virginia Cooperative Extension programs and employment are open to all, regardless of age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. An equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire accommodation, please contact the Goochland Extension Office at 804-556-5841 at least five days before the application deadline.