Career Center

Title:                           Master Gardener Youth Education & Community Programs Coordinator, Hennepin County

Appointment:             Full time (1.00 FTE), Civil Service

Classification:           Extension Program Associate 3, job code 8316A3

Salary:                        $21.63+/hour minimum, commensurate with training and experience

Extension Center:     Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources (AFNR)

Location:                    U of M Extension Hennepin County
                                    479 Prairie Center Dr, Eden Prairie, MN 55344

Reports to:                 Program Leader, Master Gardener State Program Coordinator

Apply By:                   May 23, 2022

ABOUT THE POSITION

Engaging and managing volunteers is critical for program success. The Extension Master Gardener (EMG) Volunteer Program Youth Education and Community Programs Coordinator is responsible for general oversight of:

1. Youth education activities, engaging and managing youth education volunteers; and
2. Community programs activities, engaging and managing volunteers who work in community gardens, farmers markets and other community-based activities.

The coordinator collaborates with the Assistant Educator on many facets of program management and volunteer engagement and reports to the Program Leader, Master Gardener State Program Coordinator.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS

Volunteer Management (45%)

• Recruit new Master Gardener volunteers for youth education and community programming activities.
• Establish an orientation process for volunteers newly recruited for youth education and community programming activities.
• Work with new and experienced volunteers on leadership succession planning, ensuring volunteers with leadership skills are identified, coached and encouraged to take on leadership positions.
• Serve as the first point of contact for youth education and community program inquiries.
• Establish a regular system of communication with and among youth education and community programs volunteers.
  • Ensure the process includes methods for communicating with volunteers who have limited or no electronic communication access.
• Review, implement and assure compliance with policies and guidelines set by the U of M and Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Program and Extension youth programs (e.g., Safety of Minors Policy).
  • Approve youth education and community projects, and volunteer and continuing education hours.
  • Help ensure volunteers submit hours into the appropriate database by the due dates; ensure there is support in entering hours for individuals with limited computer and/or internet access.
• Foster and contribute to a positive work climate with colleagues, advisory groups, volunteers, audiences and partnerships.
  • Create and implement volunteer recognition; work with the Assistant Extension Educator and State Leadership Team in determining awards.
  • Conduct conflict mediation and disciplinary actions in a timely manner.

Program Management (45%)

• Set annual program goals with the Assistant Extension Educator and Master Gardener group in setting annual goals to align with program priorities
• Develop and maintain collaborations with stakeholders for joint youth program and community programs delivery and impact (e.g., schools, 4-H, etc.).
• Document public value of youth and community programming through multiple formats, (e.g., written reports, video, and social media). Share information with Regional Directors so they can communicate program value to local stakeholders, especially local Extension committees and county commissioners.
• Renew, explore and establish relationships with youth and community organizations, especially those serving diverse communities to increase community programs.
• Ensure that volunteer and youth program opportunities are accessible to diverse audiences.
• Work collaboratively with the Extension educator and volunteer treasurer and ensure financial management systems are in alignment with the University of Minnesota policies and procedures.
• Develop evaluation systems for youth education activities for volunteers, community members and youth receiving education.
• Create and monitor the volunteer registration site on www.signupgenius.com, ensuring volunteers are signed up for activities needed and that position descriptions are clear.
• Work with lead volunteers to review requests from schools for youth, community gardens, farmers markets and other community-based organizations.
• Make youth and community garden site visits, as necessary.
• Monitor and stock youth education material and information booth bins as necessary
• Develop and maintain collaborations with stakeholders for joint youth program delivery with greater impact (e.g., schools, 4-H).
• Work as part of the Hennepin County Urban Agriculture Program Team, representing the Master Gardener Volunteer Program on the team, engaging the community and Master Gardener Volunteers in program activities and supervising interns and paid staff working with the program.
  • Attend weekly (Tuesdays and Thursdays) in the garden education sessions at the Urban Agriculture Initiative as needed during summer programming.
• Train volunteers in current public engagement techniques at information booths.
• Attend community and youth education committee meetings, as necessary.
• Develop and plan annual youth education and community programs in-services for volunteers.
• Promote youth education and community programs activities to current volunteers, engaging more volunteers with both programs
• Attend the Master Gardener Volunteer and Leadership Team monthly meetings.

State Leadership Team Partnership (10%)

• Partner with the State Leadership Team in promoting the mission of community and youth education programs to volunteers.
• Promote and reinforce the use of educational offerings developed by the University of Minnesota Extension educators among community programs volunteers (e.g., Flowers for Pollinators and Water Wisely train-the trainer learning packages, Hot Topics).
• Promote and implement state-wide program goals, objectives, and initiatives in a positive way at the county level.
• Report on program activity and actively participate in regularly scheduled program meetings with coordinators and the program leader.
• Provide constructive input to the State Leadership Team regarding community and youth program strategies and policies.

APPOINTMENT/BENEFITS

• The Youth Education and Community Programs Coordinator is a full-time university civil service appointment (job code 8316A3). Hennepin County provides funding.
• A full University of Minnesota benefits package is available at https://humanresources.umn.edu/new-employees/benefits-summaries. 
• Salary commensurate with education and experience, minimum salary of $45,000/$21.63 per hr.

Required Education/Experience: A Bachelor’s degree (BA/BS) with at least 4 years of experience (in volunteer engagement, team leadership/management, project management, human resources, or education-focused leadership) or a combination of related higher education and work experience to equal eight (8) years.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Effectively communicate orally and in writing
• Develop and maintain an effective working relationship with colleagues, partners and stakeholders
• Communicate with, supervise and empower volunteers/team members to be effective in their roles
• Work cooperatively with a diverse group and different personalities
• Effectively organize and coordinate teamwork, resources and projects
• Working with Microsoft Office Suite and Google apps

Preferred Skills/Abilities:

• Previous experience as a volunteer coordinator
• Knowledge and/or interest in horticulture.
• Demonstrated familiarity and experience with social media.
• Experience with Sign-up Genius.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development.
• Understanding of basic accounting practices.

Additional Requirements

• Must have reliable internet when working outside of assigned office location.
• Travel (in-state) may be necessary to perform the responsibilities of this position. Staff person is expected to use a personal vehicle and have appropriate insurance. Mileage and sustenance reimbursement provided according to university policies.
• Ability to work on a computer for prolonged periods of time.
• Must be able to lift, push, pull 15 lbs. routinely and 40 lbs. rarely as well as sit or stand for prolonged periods of time
• Must be able to submit proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or submit a completed religious/medical exemption and agree to comply with the University's testing requirement.
• Ability to work occasional weekends and evenings.