Extension 4-H Military Liaison
                                            Position Description

Purpose & Clientele 
The Extension 4-H Military Liaison is an Extension professional who serves as a link between the state extension program, military service branches in the state and with USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).  The focus of an Extension 4-H Military Liaison is to coordinate, network and facilitate programs and resources working with a variety of partners at the university level, with military partners, and with partners across their state in support of military-connected families, children, and youth programming.

Selection
The selection of the Extension professional serving in this role is at the discretion of the state extension director, recognizing that the person and amount of FTE will be determined based on the state’s capacity and the demographics within the state for working with military populations.  Described below are the desirable position qualifications and responsibilities  as well as the minimum and desired criteria to fulfill the position.

Qualifications
Extension 4-H Military Liaison is a Land Grant Extension youth development or  family consumer sciences professional with a background in family, child and youth development who:
Minimum
  • Has knowledge of Extension and land grant universities.
  • Is knowledgeable about 4-H youth development and/ or family programs and has the ability to design programs to meet the needs of the audience served.
  • Understands  and appreciates the the military community or is willing to develop an understanding of the military community.
  • Has a broad knowledge of 4-H, Extension, Family programs, National level (USDA-NIFA-4-H) priorities to include 4-H Mission Mandates.
  • Has the ability to build relationships with university faculty, military partners, statewide partners, community partners to engage them in programming for and with military communities.
  • Has knowledge of or willing to learn military culture and military services in the state.
  • Excellent oral/written communication skills, including the ability to develop and implement presentations/workshops to diverse audiences.
  • Demonstrated leadership skills.
  • Has the ability to integrate this work within their current position expanding the reach and focus to military families.

Desired
  • Has the ability to work collaboratively and communicate within the state to Extension professionals and to military personnel.
  • Experience with creating and managing statewide and local committees.
  • Experience with grants, grant writing, and financial management.
  • Ability to plan and evaluate programs.
  • Experience with staff selection, orientation, supervision and performance evaluation.
  • Experience with reporting and with developing reports for stakeholders.

Scope of Work
Minimum
  • Serves as Extension 4-H Military Liaison for all military-child and youth programs.
  • Advocates for the needs of military-connected youth and families through statewide programming
  • Provides direction within the state for Extension and military-child and youth programs connections.
  • Provides updates to Extension Administration (could include State 4-H Program Leader, Extension Director, etc.)
  • Works collaboratively with other University and Extension professionals on military programming in their state.
  • Works collaboratively with Military Partners and other statewide partners on Military programs.
  • Works with faculty and staff that are hired to work on specific grant programs, coordinating all efforts such as community partnerships, 4-H Clubs for military-connected youth , Camping,  Mentoring, and other opportunities.
  • Serves as PI/Co-PI on the grants serving military-children, youth and families and connects with University grant office.
  • Serves as the point person for all state required grant reports and/or information data on outcomes/ success of projects.
  • Incorporates the military 4-H clubs and members into the county and state 4-H youth development program – assuring that military children and youth have full access to programs.
  • Participates in meetings and trainings to support the role of State 4-H/Extension Liaison.
  • Develops and/or delivers educational opportunities.
  • Provides technical assistance to Extension staff.
  • Utilizes resources as developed to support programming with military youth and families (i.e.  4-H 101, Tech Discovery curriculum, etc.)
 
Desired
  • Seeks opportunities to connect military-connected entities with broader university objectives and projects to support military-connected youth, families, and organizations
  • Serves as the host of a diverse statewide  and/or regional group of representatives that coordinate military programming to include military and other statewide partners.
  • Provides training and shares information with  Extension professionals on the scope of military partnerships in the state, regionally, and  nationally.
  • Serves as the lead for evaluation on military-child and youth programs in the state.
  • Collaborates with other State Extension 4-H Military Liaisons to coordinate services such as curriculum, materials, trainings, staff development, volunteer support, evaluation and effective practices.