Job Listings Title:
Extension Educator, Natural Resources, Environment and Energy

Post Date
4/11/2025

Expiration Date
5/7/2025

Details:
The Extension Educator serves as a regular, full time, 12-month academic professional with primary responsibility for the development, delivery, and evaluation of educational programs supporting the mission of the University of Illinois Extension. Extension Educators support one of the six core Extension program areas, and within that program area may focus on one or more of the following interdisciplinary strategic priorities: Community, Environment, Economy, Food and Agriculture, and Health. Programmatic objectives of Extension Educators will be consistent with national and statewide initiatives considered of significant importance to residents of the state of Illinois.

Extension Educators will be expected to deliver research-based educational programs and to work within team settings that may consist of other Extension Educators, State Specialists, community professionals, and faculty within and outside of the College of ACES. The establishment of professional networks as well as the development of relationships with key stakeholder groups is vital to the success of Extension Educators. Extension Educators will be expected to deliver educational programs primarily  within their assigned multi-county unit, but upon request, to clientele within other units. Additionally, Extension Educators will serve on statewide team and initiatives as well.

The Extension Educator, Natural Resources, Environment and Energy (NREE) is expected to concentrate programmatically in Natural Resource Conservation, Environmental Awareness and Actions, and Energy Sustainability. This programmatic focus includes  development and delivery of high impact and relevant educational programs and materials in the following areas 1) management and conservation of natural resources such as rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, ground water, forests, and native prairies; 2) protection and enhancement of environmental quality such as awareness and actions on land and water contamination, waste management, composting, recycling, air pollution, and climate resilience; 3) development of sustainable and alternative energy sources; and 4) enhancement of energy conservation and efficiency. Strong leadership and program delivery will be provided to various volunteer and training programs that may include Master Naturalist, Climate Stewards and Master Watershed Stewards programs.

One full time position is available.
Location: Unit 15 - Calhoun, Cass, Greene, Morgan, and Scott Counties
(Position will be housed in one of the county offices.)
Additional positions may become available in other locations.

This is a security-sensitive position. Comprehensive background checks, including but not limited to a criminal conviction information check, a CANTS check, and a review of the Registered Sex Offender list, will be conducted.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Program Development, Delivery and Evaluation

  • Provide program leadership, interpret and integrate information, teach in the field of designated expertise, maintain the competencies to develop and deliver educational programming, and assist clients with the appropriate resource bases.
  • Assess the needs of local clientele in a systematic and analytical manner. This will include networking and collaborating with community organizations and other relevant groups.
  • Within the designated area(s) of specialization, develop innovative curricula and programs to address local needs as well as to mesh with the broader state and national interdisciplinary initiatives.
  • Deliver high impact programs to diverse audiences utilizing a selection of innovative delivery mechanisms to optimize reach and effectiveness, by teaming with additional Extension employees and volunteers who assist with program management functions and teaching roles when appropriate.
  • Guide program expansion and program quality processes by teaching and providing training and support to employees or volunteers who teach and work within the program area.
  • Support voluntary educational delivery systems with relevant subject matter expertise.
  • Evaluate the impact of program initiatives in a planned and statistically relevant fashion. Evaluation plans should focus not only on short-term impacts but also on long-term changes in clientele practices.
  • Develop effective and contemporary approaches to communicate with clientele. This may include constantly evolving electronic technologies (e.g. twitter, Facebook, blogs, e-learning, etc.).
  • Comply with all reporting deadlines and requirements (e.g. plans of work, activity and impact reporting, etc.)

Organizational Leadership and Development

  • Market and represent Extension's interests to external partners and stakeholders in areas related to expertise.
  • Compete for internal and external resources to enhance the development of innovative educational programs with potential for high impact. Includes strategic use of available funds to increase program quality and impact.
  • Cooperate fully with the County Director to achieve budget goals, address staffing needs, fulfill relevant grant initiatives, report impacts, and carry out all other items relevant to the operation.
  • Develop professional collaborations with the County Director, other Educators and Extension Council Members.
  • Assist with and support the total University of Illinois Extension program.
  • Accept statewide responsibilities as recommended by the Program Leader and approved by the County Director.
  • Serve as an effective team member and volunteer for leadership roles as appropriate.
  • Lead teams as appropriate for systematically carrying out the deliverables of the program.
  • Perform other duties that contribute to the mission of University of Illinois Extension programming, as assigned.

Scholarship

  • Establish professional relationships and participate in campus-based partnerships that tie academic programs and research to complement Extension programming by partnering with Extension Specialists and/or faculty members on research projects as appropriate within the initiatives.
  • Be an active member within a professional society(s) to keep abreast of changes within your discipline.
  • Continually seek professional development opportunities to enhance competency in subject matter area.
  • Use research and evaluation findings to create innovative programs and make changes to existing programs in order to improve quality.
  • Share principles of evidence-based best practice with peers.

Other Information

  • Comply with all University of Illinois Extension Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity policies and guidelines in all aspects of Extension work; assists Unit staff with data collection for Affirmative Action, Gender, and Targeted reports.
  • Local, regional and (limited) statewide travel required; personal transportation required.

Physical Demands
To perform the functions of this position, the employee will be required to perform work both within an office and outside in the communities that are served and must have the capability to travel from one location to the other in a timely fashion.  Employee is responsible for securing personal transportation.  A valid driver’s license is preferred.  Some work will be required during evenings and/or weekends.  When working, the employee may be exposed to a variety of environmental factors to include, but not limited to, hot or cold weather, exposure to noise and allergens, and uneven ground.  In performing the functions of this position, the employee may be subjected to various mental and physical demands as well to include, but not limited to, independently traveling to and performing work at different locations, ability to move, transfer and/or transport items that may occasionally weigh up to forty (40) pounds and frequently weigh up to twenty (20) pounds, and twisting, pushing and pulling movements. More detailed information regarding the functions of this position (including the physical, mental, and environmental requirements of the position) may be obtained from Human Resources for the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) by contacting hr@aces.illinois.edu.

Administrative Relationship
The Extension Educator is administratively responsible to the County Director.

Programmatic Relationship
The Extension Educator is programmatically responsible to the Program Leader(s) for the delivery of programs that mesh with identified national and state priorities.



Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

  • Master’s degree related to subject matter emphasis from an accredited institution of higher education. Examples of relevant fields could include, but are not limited to, Natural Resources, Environmental Science, Forestry, Ecology Soil Science, Agronomy, and Sustainable Agriculture. Master's degrees in other fields will be considered with work experience that demonstrates similar competencies. Candidates with a master’s degree in progress may be considered for interviews, but degree must be completed by hire date.

Experience:

  • Experience with educational programs.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience within the specialty field.
  • Teaching experience in informal and formal settings.
  • Field experience on forest management and agroforestry practices.
  • Experience with land-grant University Extension system.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

  • Strong communication skills. Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work within a team environment. Ability to build and maintain diverse networks.


Employer:
University of Illinois Extension
Contact:
Christina Chopra

Work Phone:
217-333-2137

Email:
cchopra@illinois.edu

Website:
https://go.illinois.edu/1030098