Position Title:4-H Field Operations Manager - North
Job Group:Professional & Scientific
Required Minimum Qualifications:Bachelor's degree and 5 years of related experience
Special Required QualificationsValid U.S. Driver's License
Job Description:
Summary of Duties and Responsibilities:Are you passionate about leading teams and strengthening youth development programs? Do you enjoy supporting staff, building capacity, and ensuring high-quality programming that makes a difference for young people?
If so, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is seeking a 4-H Field Operations Manager to provide regional leadership and support for field-based 4-H professionals! This position will be classified as a Manager Extension Youth 4-H and will provide supervision for Youth 4-H Extension Specialists serving the northern half of the state. What You'll Do:The 4-H Field Operations Manager supervises and supports a team of Youth 4-H Extension Specialists, ensuring alignment with Iowa 4-H Youth Development priorities. This role focuses on staff leadership, training, program quality, and operational consistency across the region. The position also contributes to statewide program direction as part of the Iowa 4-H leadership team.
Key Responsibilities:
Supervise, coach, and evaluate Youth 4-H Extension Specialists
Lead hiring, onboarding, and staff performance and goal achievement
Coordinate and deliver ongoing professional development
Support training for county 4-H staff in partnership with campus and county services
Contribute to statewide program leadership and strategic direction
Ensure compliance with 4-H policies and program standards
Support program evaluation, reporting, and continuous improvement
Identify and implement strategies to expand program reach
This is a fixed-term position with an end date of 6/30/2029, with the opportunity for renewal.
The primary office location for this position will be an extension office in the state and the location will be dependent on the successful candidate along with office availability. The primary office location will most likely be in the northern half of the state.
Frequent in-state travel will be required in this position.
Preferred Qualifications:
Demonstrated expertise in innovative youth development programming, preferably within 4-H Youth Development.
Experience leading and/or supervising individuals or teams.
Experience training staff and/or volunteers.
Experience with program evaluation, data-informed decision making, and continuous improvement.
Experience overseeing and monitoring budgets.
Department/Program & College Description:Iowa 4-H Youth Development is the premier youth development program of Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Providing research-based education to K-12 youth, Iowa 4-H builds upon more than a century of experience in youth development.
Department Unit/Website:4-H Youth Development (http://www.extension.iastate.edu/4h/)
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.
Application Instructions:To apply for this position, please click on "Apply" and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:
Resume/Curriculum Vitae
Letter of Application/Cover Letter
Why Choose Iowa State University?Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental, as well as:
Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
Generous vacation, holiday, and sick time and leave plans
Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)
Life insurance and long-term disability
Flexible Spending Accounts
Various voluntary benefits and discounts
Employee Assistance Program
Wellbeing program
Iowa State offers WorkFlex options for some positions. WorkFlex offers flexibility on when, where, and how you do your work. For more information, please speak with the Hiring Manager.
If you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment@iastate.edu, or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.
Appointment Type:Regular with Term Appointment (Fixed Term)
Proposed End Date or Length of Term:June 30, 2029
Number of Months Employed Per Year:12 Month Work Period
Time Type:Full time
Pay Grade:PS808
Original Posting Date: May 6, 2026
Posting Close Date:May 20, 2026
Job Requisition Number:R19138
Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email eooffice@iastate.edu.
General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources (https://www.hr.iastate.edu/careers/compensation) website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.
By focusing on the future and providing the best student experience possible, Iowa State University (http://www.iastate.edu/) attracts students and faculty who want to make a difference. With a comprehensive?land-grant?mission of education, research, extension and outreach, we produce scholars whose ideas change the world. And through Innovate at Iowa State, we provide innovative and entrepreneurial opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Located just 30 minutes north of Des Moines, the city of Ames was recently named one of the Top 10 cities in the U.S. for campus life and career opportunities.
Iowa State University is a welcoming community of students, faculty, and staff. Campus community members have a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and are committed to engaging with each other respectfully as outlined in the university's Principles of Community (https://www.iastate.edu/principles-community) . Iowa State recognizes that diverse intellectual and philosophical perspectives are vital to innovation, critical thinking skills, and a dynamic academic community that fosters the land-grant ideals of putting science, technology, and human creativity to work.
All offers of employment, oral and written, are contingent upon the university's verification of credentials and other information required by federal and state law, ISU policies/procedures, and may include the completion of a background check and/or a consumer credit check.
Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email eooffice@iastate.edu.
If you have questions about the application process please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll-Free at 1-877-477-7485. Iowa State University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should email employment@iastate.edu or call (515) 294-4800 or Toll-Free: (877) 477-7485. TTY users are welcome to use the Iowa Relay Service number by dialing 7-1-1 or (800) 735-2942.
General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources (https://www.hr.iastate.edu/careers/compensation) website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.
