University of Wyoming 4-H educator resigns

Recently, Joey Johnson bid farewell to the position of 4-H Educator, leaving an empty space at the University of Wyoming Hot Springs County Extension Office.

Extension Educator Barton Stam said it could be some time before the position is filled, as it is a lengthy process. He also noted the responsibilities of the 4-H Educator, including running the 4-H program in the county. The position is with the local office, Stam said, but involves some travel for meetings with other educators, camps, trainings and the State Fair.

Though 4-H centers on kids, Stam said, it depends a lot on adult volunteer leaders, and a big responsibility of the Educator is coordinating those volunteers.

While the Educator is a UW employee, the university and Hot Springs County jointly fund the position. Stam further explained the Extension program as a whole has been a partnership with UW.

Those interested in filling the position must have a four-year Bachelor’s Degree, and Stam noted there are a number of suitable fields, such as education, home economics, agriculture or nutrition and food safety, to name a few. Applicants also need to be willing to travel and work outside the traditional 8 a.m.-5 p.m. day, for after hours meetings, overnight travel and weekend work.

Stam explained he must wait for the extension office on the UW campus to send the official word, before he can formally advertise for the position in print or online. Applicants will then be screened by UW, and those selected will move on to the interview process.

A committee that includes Stam, his supervisor Kelly Crane and Director of Extension Glen Whipple perform the interviews, though Stam further noted they also look to have people involved with 4-H on the committee, as well as County Commissioners since the County is an integral part, providing half of the salary for the position.

Following the interviews, members of the committee review their notes and make recommendations as to whom they think is acceptable to Whipple, though it is UW Dean of Agriculture Dr. Frank Galey who gets the final say.

The overall process, Stam said, is done really professionally and confidentially, though he expects it could take months before a final decision is made. In the meantime, he’s happy to visit with anyone interested in the position.

In the meantime, Johnson’s absence just means a bit more work for Stam, Secretary Vicki Nichols and Intern Jennifer Cramer, as well as the adult volunteers. Stam said, “Our program would not go anywhere without our adult volunteer leaders.”

Stam is appreciative of the work Johnson did while with the office, as he was great in growing the program and getting volunteers, and though he hates to see him go he wishes him luck in his future endeavors.