Jobs at Member Institutions & APLU

EXTENSION EDUCATOR, AGRICULTURE AND AGRIBUSINESS
(Commercial Agriculture) – 1013763
University of Illinois Extension
College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES)
WE TRANSFORM LIVES.
Everything we do is designed to improve the quality of life of the people in the state of Illinois, across
the nation, and around the world. We discover, develop, translate, and disseminate knowledge to
address societal concerns and train the next generation of experts and leaders in a way that empowers
them to expand the boundaries of science to higher levels of understanding and influence.
Be a part of our story. Through learning partnerships that extend knowledge and change lives,
University of Illinois Extension provides educational programs aimed at making life better, healthier,
safer, and more profitable for individuals and their communities. Illinois Extension has operated
continuously for more than 100 years connecting the citizens of Illinois to their land-grant university by
providing educational programming around the state. University of Illinois Extension is based in the
College of ACES and works with all colleges and units of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
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 four core
Extension program areas and within that program area may focus on one or more of the following
interdisciplinary initiatives: Community, Environment, Economy, Food, 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.
This position will have applied research and outreach responsibilities for the commercial production and
management of field crops grown or potentially grown in Extension Region 2, roughly from the western
Illinois border; Carroll county to the north and south east to McLean county, and south west to Jersey
county. For the purposes of program delivery, the geographic area is statewide.
This position will be expected to collaborate closely with campus based specialists and other faculty in
the planning and implementation of research projects with high local relevance to stakeholders. As
necessary, Commercial Agriculture educators will be expected to cooperate with campus faculty in the
conducting of pest surveys and the dissemination of these findings to clientele.
One full time position is available.
Location: Northwestern Illinois Agricultural Research and Demonstration Center (Monmouth, IL)
Additional positions may become available in other locations
The University of Illinois is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action employer that recruits and hires
qualified candidates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age,
national origin, disability or veteran status. For more information, visit http://go.illinois.edu/EEO.
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.
Specific responsibilities of Extension Educators are as follows:
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 unit team under the direction and in consultation with the County Director.
• 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.
• 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, lifting and moving 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 AND PROGRAMMATIC RELATIONSHIP
The Extension Educator, Agriculture and Agribusiness (Commercial Agriculture) is administratively and
programmatically responsible to the Assistant Dean, Agriculture and Agribusiness.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required:
• Master’s degree in a relevant discipline from an accredited institution of higher education.
Examples of relevant majors include, but are not limited to: field crop production, or crop
management emphasis; field cop protection such as weed science, plant pathology, or
entomology. Candidates with a Master’s degree in progress may be considered for interviews,
but degree must be completed by hire date.
• Experience with educational programs.
• Must be able to earn or maintain active Certified Crop Advisor certification.
Preferred:
• PhD strongly preferred.
• Experience within crop sciences, including management of crops, soils, pests, and plant
nutrients is highly desirable.
• Teaching experience in informal and formal settings.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
• Must demonstrate evidence of strong oral and written communication skills. Evidence of strong
interpersonal skills and ability to work within a team environment. Demonstrated ability to build
and maintain diverse networks.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position. This position is a full-time, benefits-eligible,
non-tenure academic professional position appointed on a 12-month service basis. The expected start
date is as soon as possible after the closing date. Salary is commensurate with experience and
qualifications. Generous vacation and sick leave. State Universities Retirement System. Group health,
dental, vision and life insurance.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
To apply, go to https://go.illinois.edu/1013763. Please upload a resume, cover letter, and the names and
contact information for three professional references. Resume dates submitted must be in month/year
format and employment history, at a minimum, should include all work dating back to the completion of
your undergraduate degree. Positions that were less than full-time/100% must be noted as being part-
time. Transcripts may be requested at a later date. To receive full consideration, all requested
application materials must be submitted via the online system by the close date of April 30, 2023.
The University of Illinois conducts criminal background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of
a contingent offer. Convictions are not a bar to employment. As a qualifying federal contractor, the
University of Illinois System uses E-Verify to verify employment eligibility. The University of Illinois
System requires candidates selected for hire to disclose any documented finding of sexual misconduct or
sexual harassment and to authorize inquiries to current and former employers regarding findings of
sexual misconduct or sexual harassment. For more information, visit Policy on Consideration of Sexual
Misconduct in Prior Employment. The University of Illinois must also comply with applicable federal
export control laws and regulations and, as such, reserves the right to employ restricted party screening
procedures for applicants.
University of Illinois faculty, staff and students are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. If
you are not able to receive the vaccine for medical or religious reasons, you may seek approval for an
exemption in accordance with applicable University processes.
For further information about the position please contact search chair Christina Edgington at
chrisedg@illinois.edu . For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.