Youth Outreach Events & Operations Specialist

Visa Language: Please note, this position is not eligible for H-1B or Green Card sponsorship. This position does not offer a STEM OPT training program.

Position Summary
The Youth Outreach Events & Operations Specialist independently plans, coordinates, and implements a portfolio of youth outreach and recruitment programs that support strategic enrollment and engagement goals for the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS).

This position is responsible for managing the operational systems, logistics, communications, and stakeholder coordination necessary to deliver high-quality outreach experiences for prospective students, educators, and community partners. The role applies professional judgment to coordinate complex event operations, manage competing priorities, resolve logistical challenges, and ensure consistent execution across a high volume of concurrent activities.

Reporting to the Director of Strategic Outreach, this role collaborates closely with admissions, communications, academic departments, alumni and constituent relations, faculty, staff, and student employees to coordinate outreach initiatives and enhance program effectiveness. The position contributes professional expertise in event operations, youth engagement, and experience design to continuously improve outreach efforts and participant experiences.
As a newly created position, the role requires initiative, adaptability, independent decision-making, and the ability to lead operational implementation in a fast-paced environment.

This is a hybrid position.

Key Responsibilities

Program Execution (45%)

• Independently coordinate and implement a portfolio of youth outreach and recruitment programs, including major events such as the Minnesota Youth Institute, UMN FFA Invitational, Future Gopher Admitted Days, school and community group visits, and statewide outreach events.

• Develop and manage detailed event work plans, implementation timelines, logistics, and operational processes for outreach and recruitment activities.

• Coordinate event logistics including scheduling, registration processes, facility reservations, transportation, catering, audiovisual needs, staffing coordination, materials preparation, setup, and day-of operations.
• Coordinate stakeholder outreach, participant communications, and event registration activities.
• Manage multiple concurrent outreach initiatives with competing timelines while ensuring consistent, high-quality program delivery.
• Monitor event execution and troubleshoot operational issues in real time to ensure successful implementation.
• Coordinate post-event follow-up, documentation, evaluation activities, and process improvements.
• Maintain organized operational systems and documentation to support recurring outreach and recruitment activities.

Volunteer & Stakeholder Coordination (25%)

• Lead coordination of faculty, staff, student ambassadors, alumni volunteers, and community partners participating in outreach and recruitment activities.
• Assign and coordinate event responsibilities for student employees, volunteers, and program participants.
• Provide operational direction, guidance, training, and event materials to support successful participation.
• Coordinate staffing coverage and adapt assignments as needed to address scheduling gaps or changing operational needs.
• Lead coordination efforts among participating departments, campus partners, and external collaborators.
• Support a welcoming, organized, and engaging experience for participants, volunteers, and stakeholders.

Operational Coordination & Workflow Management (15%)

• Develop, implement, and maintain operational procedures, templates, checklists, and workflow tools that support efficient and consistent outreach operations.
• Coordinate cross-functional outreach activities with admissions, communications, academic departments, and external partners.
• Maintain systems for tracking outreach activities, participation, event logistics, and operational outcomes.
• Coordinate outreach supplies, event materials, inventory, and shared program resources.
• Monitor event-related expenditures, coordinate purchasing processes, and support budget administration for outreach activities.
• Identify operational challenges, recommend process improvements, and implement enhancements that improve efficiency and program effectiveness.
• Coordinate with external vendors, venues, and service providers related to outreach events and activities.

Event Innovation & Experience Design (15%)

• Recommend and implement enhancements to outreach event formats, engagement strategies, and operational processes to improve participant experience and program effectiveness.
• Research and incorporate emerging practices in youth engagement, experiential learning, higher education outreach, and event coordination.
• Develop and refine repeatable event processes and program models that improve operational consistency, scalability, and participant engagement.
• Apply professional judgment in adapting event delivery approaches to meet evolving audience needs and institutional priorities.
• Identify and support opportunities for event partnerships, sponsorships, and cost-sharing models in collaboration with advancement and alumni and constituent relations partners.
• Contribute creative ideas and operational improvements that strengthen the visibility, quality, and impact of CFANS outreach experiences.

Key Competencies

• Event & Program Coordination: Independently plans, coordinates, and implements high-quality outreach and recruitment events.
• Operational Leadership: Manages complex logistics, operational systems, and concurrent activities with reliability and attention to detail.
• Problem Solving & Adaptability: Applies professional judgment to resolve operational challenges and respond effectively to changing conditions.
• Stakeholder Coordination: Builds collaborative working relationships across departments, volunteers, students, and external partners.
• Continuous Improvement: Evaluates programs and operational processes to improve effectiveness, efficiency, and participant experience.
• Communication & Organization: Maintains organized systems and communicates clearly with diverse audiences and collaborators.

Why this role exists

• To provide professional-level coordination and operational leadership for a complex portfolio of youth outreach and recruitment programs involving multiple stakeholders, locations, timelines, and participant groups.
• To support the execution of a growing volume of outreach programs and events across CFANS.
• To ensure consistent, organized, and high-quality delivery of outreach and recruitment activities.
• To strengthen operational coordination across departments, campus partners, and external collaborators.
• To improve the participant experience and effectiveness of CFANS outreach efforts through professional event coordination and continuous process improvement.
• To develop scalable operational systems and repeatable event models that support sustainable program growth.

Required Qualifications

• BA/BS degree plus at least two years of professional experience, or a combination of related education and experience totaling at least six (6) years.
• Demonstrated experience independently coordinating events, programs, projects, or operational activities involving multiple stakeholders and competing timelines.
• Experience developing and implementing event logistics, operational workflows, or project work plans.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise professional judgment in resolving operational or logistical challenges.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and adapt effectively in dynamic, fast-paced environments.
• Experience coordinating with diverse stakeholders, partners, or participants.
• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Availability to work evenings and weekends as needed and travel locally or regionally.
• Must have and maintain a valid driver's license and a suitable driving history
• A background check for working with youth is required for this position.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in higher education, K-12 engagement, youth development, or community-based programming.
• Experience in professional event planning, experiential marketing, program coordination, or operations management.
• Demonstrated ability to improve or redesign events, operational processes, or participant engagement strategies.
• Experience incorporating experiential, interactive, or audience-centered approaches into events or programs.
• Experience coordinating volunteers, student staff, or cross-functional project teams.
• Experience working with external vendors, sponsors, or community partners.
• Familiarity with agriculture, food systems, natural resources, environmental science, and/or STEM-related fields.
• Experience working in decentralized or complex organizations.
• Experience working at the University of Minnesota.

Pay Range: $28.85 - $31.74 an hour; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Civil-Service & Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the
time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures
that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while
maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and
equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates
will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Priority Deadline: June 8, 2026

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.