Promise Fellow Opportunity

The Urban Youth Development Office (Urban 4-H) will be hosting a Promise Fellow to work with American Indian Magnet School for the 2012-2013 year (work will begin August 15, 2012 and continue to August 14, 2013). Benefits include living allowance appx. $450 every two weeks pre-tax, health insurance, Qualified Student Loan Deferment, $5550 Education Award upon successful completion of service, and ongoing, extensive support and training. Plus, you get to work with a dynamic, talented team of youth workers in Urban 4-H!

The fellow will work with Urban 4-H interns, staff, and volunteers, as well as school staff, to develop "projects through community" (service learning, or projects that connect with communities to carry out the learning), helping youth discover their interests and connect those interests to future possibility. As part of this work, the fellow supports out-of-school-time programming (including expanding our current Big Urban Woods 4-H Club work), connects with families, and recruits caring adults who can provide support to youth, through mentoring, tutoring, or sharing of content expertise (such as STEM, healthy living, citizenship, and performing arts).

See full job description.

To apply, candidates must complete an application at http://mnyouth.net/promise-fellows/ and email/mail/fax a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three references by June 11, 2012 to:

Jessica Pierson Russo
Director, Urban Youth Development Office
University of Minnesota Extension
90 Coffey Hall
1420 Eckles Ave
St. Paul, MN 55108
pier0239@umn.edu
(612) 624-7625
Fax: (612) 624-7793

Internship opportunities with Urban 4-H

Urban 4-H internships are paid program leader positions designed to give the candidates opportunities to advance their experience in the field of youth development. The goal of Urban 4-H programs is for youth to drive their own learning. Urban 4-H Program Leaders are trained to plan safe, high-quality programs whereby youth walk away excited about what they are learning and able to articulate what that learning is.  All positions are required to attend paid orientation and training. In addition, all positions have the opportunity for multiple-year involvement.

Contact Erica Gates 612-624-7603 gates015@umn.edu to inquire about available positions.

There are currently no intern positions available. Check back for future opportunities.

Volunteer opportunities with Urban 4-H

All applicants must be screened before being placed into their roles and identified as 4-H volunteers (this includes chaperones). The screening process includes:

• Completion of a volunteer application
• Completion of a background check
• Completion of orientation survey
• Completion of an interview by 4-H staff

Read more about volunteering with Minnesota 4-H.

Club leaders

• If you are interested in starting your own 4-H Club, we can help you get started. Club leaders are expected to guide a positive, youth-driven learning experience for young people. You will guide meetings led by youth, help youth plan yearly club programs, guide youth officers, inform youth and families of 4-H activities and responsibilities, attend volunteer leader meetings and trainings, and recruit new members.

Program assistants

• Program assistants help to plan or deliver Urban 4-H youth groups. These groups, which occur during nonschool hours in both school and community-based settings, allow youth to explore a variety of interests through hands-on learning experiences. Activities may include 4-H project development, enrichment activities, homework help, state or county fair preparation, recreation, and field trips.

Project leader

• Project leaders share their interests and skills (e.g. photography, rocketry, computer science, performing arts) with a small group of youth and possibly adult volunteers. Demonstrations may be over a period of weeks or only one time, lasting from 45 minutes to 2 hours.

Other roles

• There is really no limit to the opportunities we have available for volunteers. Do you have a skill you would like to share, either with young people, or behind the scenes? Are you only available to help out at one-time events? Let us know! Together we can create a volunteer experience that is both meaningful for you and beneficial to our youth.

For questions or an application please contact:

Becky Carlson
Community Program Specialist
1-612-624-7626
urbanyd@umn.edu