Carroll County is a progressive rural county in the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia, with a population of 29,801. The county borders North Carolina with Interstate 77 running through the county from north to south. The Blue Ridge parkway runs across the southern part of the county. Carroll County consists of approximately 475 square miles, and much of the land is used for agricultural purposes including beef cattle production, pasture, vegetable and fruit production and Christmas trees. There are 7 elementary schools, 1 middle school and 1 consolidated high school. The 4H program is active and well established in both the schools and also through organized community clubs. There is an active and supportive volunteer base for 4H. The extension office is located in the town of Hillsville, which is the county seat.

The 4-H Youth Development Agent 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 develop 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.

Responsibilities: Develops and delivers objective, research-based educational programs to meet the needs of diverse audiences, specifies program goals and objectives, and identifies resources needed; provides leadership for 4-H Youth Development programs that meet the needs of all youth; identifies, recruits, trains, supports, and manages volunteers to implement and carry out the 4-H educational programming in the unit; determines unit program needs by monitoring trends and issues, and conducting unit assessments involving the unit Extension Leadership Council (ELC) and other leadership committees; networks and builds coalitions with other agencies, organizations and institutions to address the complex youth and family issues and the needs of the 4-H program; coordinates day-to-day activities and events associated with the unit 4-H program including 4-H delivery (community 4-H clubs, project 4-H clubs, school enrichment 4-H, after-school 4-H, special interest 4-H, and 4-H camping).

Individuals will be hired at the Associate Extension Agent title level. A master's degree and promotion to Extension Agent are required no later than the sixth year of employment.

Virginia Tech has an excellent benefits package, including graduate tuition waiver.

Extension Agents recognize the importance of all communities and broad reach in the development and delivery of Extension programs, actively working to increase program participation of all people. Extension Agents are responsible for VCE's civil rights policies and equal opportunity compliance.

Must have a minimum of a Bachelor's Degree (BA or BS) in a relevant discipline from an accredited college or university. A master's degree and promotion to Extension Agent are required no later than the sixth year of employment.

Knowledge and experience in planning, conducting, and evaluating Extension or non formal education programs; Understanding and ability to conduct community needs assessment to determine program priorities; Knowledge of child and human development. Excellent communication skills; Basic knowledge in educational technologies and their appropriate use in the development and delivery of educational programs; Program marketing skills; Knowledge and willingness to involve and manage volunteers in program development and delivery. The expectation is that these duties and all others listed are to be completed in-person with few exceptions for telework.

Extension Agents demonstrate flexibility, adaptability; A team oriented mindset, yet are able to work independently, and; strong desire to help clients succeed. The 4-H Youth Development Agent provides leadership for the local 4-H program in Carroll County, Virginia, developing and delivering research-based educational programs that help youth build leadership, citizenship, and life skills. The agent manages day-to-day 4-H operations, assesses community needs, recruits and supports volunteers, and collaborates with schools, community organizations, and other partners to expand youth development opportunities.

Key responsibilities include planning and implementing 4-H programs, coordinating clubs, school enrichment activities, camps, and special interest programs, managing volunteers, evaluating program effectiveness, and ensuring compliance with Virginia Cooperative Extension civil rights and equal opportunity requirements.

The position is hired at the Associate Extension Agent level. A master's degree and promotion to Extension Agent are required within six years of employment. Virginia Tech offers a comprehensive benefits package, including a graduate tuition waiver.

Virginia Tech is unable to sponsor applicants for work visas for this vacancy.

A Master's Degree is preferred.

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Regular

$50,000 - $65,000

Varies

July 29, 2026

The successful candidate will be required to have a driver's license check with an acceptable and safe driving record.

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance.  These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.