Visiting Extension Outreach Associate, Health and Community Wellness - 1036526

Visiting Extension Outreach Associate, Health and Community Wellness - 1036526 

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 Visiting Extension Outreach Associate, Health and Community Wellness, serves as a full-time academic professional with primary responsibilities to plan, facilitate, develop, and implement educational programs supporting the mission of University of Illinois Extension. 

The Visiting Outreach Associate is expected to concentrate programmatically on community level planning and resource distribution to assist individuals and communities in addressing food access and navigating food safety-net benefits that contribute to overall health and wellbeing. 

14 full-time positions are available.

Location: Hybrid work options are available, but onsite work is required in the counties listed below for each position. 

• Bureau, Dekalb, LaSalle, Ogle, Stephenson, Winnebago, and Whiteside
• Cook (two positions)
• Kankakee and Will
• Henry, Knox, McDonough, Mercer, Rock Island, Stark, and Warren
• Cass, Fulton, Mason, Peoria, and Tazewell  
• Macon, McLean, and Piatt
• Champaign, Ford, Iroquois, and Vermillion
• Christian, Jersey, Logan, Macoupin, Montgomery, Morgan, and Sangamon 
• Crawford, Edwards, Hamilton, Lawrence, Richland, Wabash, Wayne and White
• Bond, Fayette, Jefferson, and Marion
• Madison and St. Clair
• Franklin, Jackson, Randolph, and Williamson
• Alexander, Johnson, Massac, Pulaski, and Union

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 are as follows:

Program Planning, Delivery, and Evaluation

• Deliver educational programs, trainings, and resources that support program deliverables. Facilitate communications, meetings, and outreach strategies that organize and assist groups and communities to address food access and health. 
• Use multiple communication, outreach, and engagement approaches to connect with individuals, groups, and communities to share resources and educational information on food-safety net programs.
• Provide resources and assistance for food benefit program applications.
• Participate in and facilitate technical assistance networks.
• Lead trainings and organize continuing education for community-based professionals.
• Collaborate with team members to ensure successful execution of deliverables.
• Evaluate the impact of program initiatives in a planned and statistically relevant fashion. 
• Evaluate and document changes in clientele practices.

Research and Evaluation

• Continually seek professional development opportunities to enhance competency in subject matter areas.
•  Contribute to background research to support the development of educational materials. 
•  Use research and evaluation findings to create innovative materials and make changes to existing offerings in order to improve quality.
•  Share principles of evidence-based best practice with peers.

Organizational Requirements

• Assist unit staff with gathering program participant demographic information to ensure compliance with civil rights reporting requirements. 
• Comply with all reporting deadlines and requirements (e.g., plans-of-work, activity, and impact reporting, etc.).
• Perform other duties that contribute to the mission of University of Illinois Extension programming, as assigned. 
• Local, regional, statewide, and (limited) interstate travel 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 Relationship

The Visiting Extension Outreach Associate, Health and Community Wellness is administratively and programmatically responsible to the Senior Program Lead, Education and Strategic Initiatives. 

Qualifications

Required: 

• Master’s degree in nutrition, dietetics, public health, community health, family and consumer sciences, or a related field. Candidates with a master’s degree in progress may be considered for interviews, but degree must be completed by hire date.
• Experience organizing and facilitating community groups. 
• Experience working with varied populations in a community setting.

Preferred:  

• Experience with University of Illinois Extension.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Strong communication skills. Evidence of strong interpersonal skills. Ability to work independently and within a team environment. Ability to use technology for reporting, communication, and educational assistance.

Additional Information

Sponsorship for work authorization is not available for this position. These are temporary, full-time, benefits-eligible, non-tenure academic professional positions. These positions may become non-visiting at a later time dependent upon funding and/or programmatic needs. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the closing date. The previously determined salary range for this position was $60,000 to $80,000. We strive to provide a competitive salary while taking into consideration internal equity, candidate experience and qualifications, as well as budget constraints. The final salary offer will be determined through a calculation involving these elements. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at the top of the full range for this position.  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/1036526. 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 June 15, 2026. 

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.

For further information about this specific position, please contact Amanda Taylor at ataylo@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.