Extension Educator, Natural Resources, Environment and Energy

The University of Illinois is seeking a full-time Extension Educator for Natural Resources, Environment, and Energy in Jacksonville, IL. The role involves developing and delivering educational programs focused on natural resource conservation, environmental awareness, and energy sustainability. Educators will work collaboratively with various stakeholders and are expected to engage in community outreach and statewide initiatives to enhance the quality of life for Illinois residents.
Extension Educator, Natural Resources, Environment and Energy
University of Illinois Extension

WE TRANSFORM LIVES.
Everything we do is designed toimprove the quality of life of the people in the state of Illinois, across thenation, and around the world. We discover, develop, translate, and disseminateknowledge to address societal concerns and train the next generation of expertsand leaders in a way that empowers them to expand the boundaries of science tohigher levels of understanding and influence.

Be a part of our story. Through learning partnershipsthat extend knowledge and change lives, University of Illinois Extensionprovides educational programs aimed at making life better, healthier, safer,and more profitable for individuals and their communities. Illinois Extensionhas operated continuously for more than 100 years connecting the citizens ofIllinois to their land-grant university by providing educational programmingaround the state. University of Illinois Extension is based in the College ofACES and works with all colleges and units of the University of Illinois atUrbana-Champaign.

The Extension Educator serves as aregular, full time, 12-month academic professional with primary responsibilityfor the development, delivery, and evaluation of educational programssupporting the mission of the University of Illinois Extension. ExtensionEducators support one of the six core Extension program areas, and within thatprogram area may focus on one or more of the following interdisciplinary strategicpriorities: Community, Environment, Economy, Food and Agriculture, and Health. Programmaticobjectives of Extension Educators will be consistent with national andstatewide initiatives considered of significant importance to residents of thestate of Illinois.

Extension Educators will beexpected to deliver research-based educational programs and to work within teamsettings that may consist of other Extension Educators, State Specialists, communityprofessionals, and faculty within and outside of the College of ACES. Theestablishment of professional networks as well as the development of relationshipswith 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 uponrequest, to clientele within other units. Additionally, Extension Educators willserve on statewide team and initiatives as well.

The Extension Educator, NaturalResources, Environment and Energy (NREE) is expected to concentrateprogrammatically in Natural Resource Conservation, Environmental Awareness and Actions,and Energy Sustainability. This programmatic focus includes development and delivery of high impact andrelevant educational programs and materials in the following areas 1) managementand conservation of natural resources such as rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, groundwater, forests, and native prairies; 2) protection and enhancement of environmentalquality such as awareness and actions on land and water contamination, wastemanagement, composting, recycling, air pollution, and climate resilience; 3)development of sustainable and alternative energy sources; and 4) enhancementof energy conservation and efficiency. Strong leadership and program delivery willbe provided to various volunteer and training programs that may include MasterNaturalist, Climate Stewards and Master Watershed Stewards programs.

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

This is a security-sensitiveposition. Comprehensive backgroundchecks, including but not limited to a criminal conviction information check, aCANTS check, and a review of the Registered Sex Offender list, will beconducted.

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 willbe required to perform work both within an office and outside in thecommunities that are served and must have the capability to travel from onelocation to the other in a timely fashion. Employee is responsible forsecuring personal transportation. A valid driver's license ispreferred. Some work will be required during evenings and/orweekends. When working, the employee may be exposed to a variety ofenvironmental factors to include, but not limited to, hot or cold weather,exposure to noise and allergens, and uneven ground. In performing thefunctions of this position, the employee may be subjected to various mental andphysical demands as well to include, but not limited to, independentlytraveling 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 andpulling movements. More detailed information regarding the functions of thisposition (including the physical, mental, and environmental requirements of theposition) may be obtained from Human Resources for the College of Agricultural,Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) by contacting hr@aces.illinois.edu.

Administrative RelationshipThe Extension Educator isadministratively responsible to the County Director.

Programmatic RelationshipThe Extension Educator isprogrammatically responsible to the Program Leader(s) for the delivery ofprograms that mesh with identified national and state priorities.

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.

AppointmentInformation
Sponsorshipfor work authorization is not available for this position. This position is a full-time, benefits-eligible, non-tenure academicprofessional position appointed on a 12-month service basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after theclosing date. The previously determined salary range for this positionwas $59,000 to $82,000. We strive to provide a competitive salary while takinginto consideration internal equity, candidate experience and qualifications, aswell as budget constraints. The final salary offer will be determined through acalculation involving these elements. It is not typical for an individual to beoffered a salary at the top of the full range for this position.

ApplicationProcedures & Deadline Information
Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (CST) on May 14,2025 (extended). Apply for thisposition using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. Pleaseupload a resume, cover letter, and the names and contact information for threeprofessional references. Resume dates submitted must be in month/yearformat and employment history, at a minimum, should include all work datingback to the completion of your undergraduate degree. Positions that were lessthan full-time/100% must be noted as being part-time. Transcripts may be requested at a later date. Interviews may takeplace, but all applications received by May 14, 2025 will receive full consideration. Afterapplying, please be on the lookout for an email from uie-careers@aces.illinois.edu for further instructions. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered.

For furtherinformation about this specific position, please contact Christina Chopraat cchopra@illinois.edu. For questionsregarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

The University of Illinois offers a very competitive benefits portfolio, depending on the position. Click for a complete list of Employee Benefits.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal, or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing accessibility@illinois.edu.

Requisition ID: 1030098
Job Category: Off-Campus
Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu