Date Available

5-6-2021

Year of Publication

2021

Document Type

Doctoral Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

College

Education

Department/School/Program

Education Sciences

Advisor

Dr. Beth Rous

Abstract

The Cooperative Extension Service is known for bringing research and education from the land grant universities to local communities across the state through its County Extension Agents. Kentucky Cooperative Extension 4-H Youth Development Agents have a rich history of educating youth in life skill development. 4-H Agents who traditionally served in these roles often continued their public service until retirement. In recent years, the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service has documented a decline in 4-H Youth Development Agents' retention. An online survey was administered to explore Cooperative Extension 4-H Youth Development Agents' employment motivation in Kentucky. Given CES agents' role as public educators, the survey utilized public service motivation as a theoretical framework.

Research questions that guided the study included: (a) What is the level of public service motivation (PSM) of 4-H Youth Development Agents in Kentucky?, (b) What is the level of job satisfaction among Kentucky CES 4-H Youth Development Agents?, (c) Does the PSM level differ based on gender, generational cohort, or level of job satisfaction? Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Overall, 4-H Youth Development Agents in Kentucky have high levels of motivation to public service, known as PSM, and are satisfied with their jobs. No differences were found in levels of PSM based on gender, generational cohort, or level of job satisfaction.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://doi.org/10.13023/etd.2021.071

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