Job Listings Title:
Minnesota Master Naturalist Regional Extension Educator
Post Date
9/4/2025
Expiration Date
9/14/2025
Details:
ABOUT THIS POSITION – This Extension Educator position is part of the Minnesota Master Naturalist Program team, currently composed of two other Regional Extension Educators, one State Specialist, and one Program Coordinator. They will provide statewide educational programming leadership for consistent, coordinated, and high-quality ongoing education and service opportunities for our existing program volunteers that help them meet their annual requirements to remain active and fulfill our commitment to a long-term volunteer experience. MAJOR
AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
Provide shared leadership for Minnesota Master Naturalist, a statewide volunteer-driven conservation program: 60%
● As part of the Minnesota Master Naturalist team, lead a highly impactful volunteer program designed to promote active, informed engagement in conservation activities statewide. This includes assessing educational needs, then designing, delivering, and evaluating content of the Minnesota Master Naturalist program.
● Lead the delivery of programming for at least one of the three biomes that comprise the Minnesota Master Naturalist curriculum. Programming may occur in-person, virtually, online or hybrid modalities.
● Innovate, test, and apply best practices in order to drive continuous improvement in recruiting, training, retaining, and supporting volunteers for high public value service opportunities.
● Drive continuous improvement in training, retaining, and supporting volunteers for high public value service opportunities.
● Contribute to innovative and practical research around environmental education, volunteerism, learner engagement, and/or related domains.
Lead ongoing learning opportunities for MNat volunteers: 30%
● Assess needs of active Minnesota Master Naturalist volunteers and develop programming that fosters continual learning, growth, and volunteer activity.
● Evaluate external programs for suitability as “advanced training” for existing volunteers.
● Work with Extension Learning Technologies and other internal teams to develop efficient and effective workflows around event registration, attendance tracking, and related operations tasks.
● Assess annual advanced training standards and requirements to maintain active volunteer status, and recommend changes as needed.
Service, engagement, and, professional development: 10%
● Develop collaborations and partnerships that drive learning and volunteer opportunities that are broadly accessible and meet the needs of Minnesota’s diverse communities. These include environmental learning centers, local units of government, state agencies, and many 2 other organizations and groups that host and support Minnesota Master Naturalist training and volunteer service.
● Represent Extension and the Minnesota Master Naturalist program on University, local, state, and national committees, professional organizations, and related service roles.
● Participate in relevant ongoing professional development via conferences, self-directed study, and/or other appropriate means of maintaining a high level of expertise.
Qualifications:
Required Qualifications:
● Master’s degree in ecology, natural resources, wildlife management, conservation, environmental education, or a closely related field.
● Three years of professional work experience with environmental, adult, or volunteer education in a natural resources context.
● Experience teaching or delivering programming to adult learners in non-credit settings via a variety of formats.
● Experience working constructively with people from diverse backgrounds, demographics, and educational levels.
● Advanced experience with educational program design, development, and delivery.
● Strong organizational skills with the ability to conduct and manage multiple projects at the same time and to adapt to changing program priorities.
Preferred Qualifications:
● Successful experience working both independently and as part of a team.
● Demonstrated leadership experience in building collaboration to design, deliver, and evaluate environmental education programs for adult audiences.
● Ability to integrate research-based and technical information from scientific and educational literature and from subject matter experts across academic disciplines and professions to produce effective learner-focused educational materials.
● Familiarity with the use of educational software and technology, including video conferencing, webinars, social media, and online course management.
● Knowledge and understanding of conservation topics and natural environments in Minnesota.
Additional Requirements:
● Valid driver's license and own means of transportation with required liability insurance in order to travel to programming sites and to transport materials for programming; and at times other personnel.
● Must be able to travel within the designated communities and provide in-person programming.
● Travel (in-state and national) is necessary to perform the responsibilities of this position. This may include frequent day-trips and an estimated 8-12 overnight trips per year. Mileage and sustenance reimbursement are provided according to University policies.
● Ability to maintain a flexible work schedule, including occasional evening or weekend work, and overnight stays.
● When not in the assigned office location, employees must be reachable with a number that will be published in the Extension staff directory at the employee’s own expense.
● Must have reliable internet if/when working outside of the assigned office location.
● Ability to work on a computer for prolonged periods.
● Ability to bend, reach, twist, and lift or carry 10 pounds frequently and 30 pounds occasionally.
● This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship.
LOCATION OF POSITION This position will be based at an Extension Regional Office, with a preference for northern Minnesota (Cloquet not available). The location will be determined at hire.
Comments:
TO APPLY Apply at: https://extension.umn.edu/home/careers, Job Opening ID: 369983 in the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resource Systems. To be considered for this position, please click on the position and then the Apply for Job button and follow the instructions. You will be allowed to complete an online application for the position.
Please attach the following required application materials:
1. Cover letter addressing your experience as it relates to the minimum and preferred qualifications for the position.
2. Resume - Your resume must include all your education and experience as it relates to the required qualifications. The initial HR screening process focuses primarily on the resume.
3. Diversity statement: In 500 words or fewer, highlight your unique strengths, experiences, perspectives, and values as they relate to equity, diversity and inclusion.
Three professional references and transcripts for all college work (unofficial transcripts are acceptable) will be required during the interview process.
Please note: This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship.
Additional documents may be attached after the application by accessing your “My Job Applications” page and uploading documents in the “My Cover Letters and Attachments” section. See full instructions, https://hr.umn.edu/Jobs/Applicant-Center/Help-Job-Applications/Using-Job-Application-System.
To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-UOHR (8647).
Employer:
University of Minnesota Extension, Department of Agriculture
Contact:
Search Committee Chair Andrea Lorek Strauss
Work Phone:
(507) 258-8787
Email:
astrauss@umn.edu
Website:
https://www.minnesotamasternaturalist.org/
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