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Visiting Extension Outreach Associate, Agriculture and Agribusiness - 1024822

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign - Extension
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VISITING EXTENSION OUTREACH ASSOCIATE, AGRICULTURE AND AGRIBUSINESS – 1024822

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, Agriculture and Agribusiness serves as a full time, 12-month academic professional with primary responsibilities the development, delivery, and evaluation of educational programs related to the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education and Regenerative Agriculture Programs supporting the mission of the University of Illinois Extension. This position will work to provide leadership to the Sustainable Agriculture Programs and Research Development for Smart Agriculture Practices.

One full-time position is available.

Location: Urbana-Champaign Campus

(Position will be housed in Urbana, IL)

 

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 the Visiting Extension Outreach Associate are as follows:

 

Program Planning, Delivery and Evaluation

  • Develop and deliver programing on sustainable agriculture, research and smart agriculture practices, and agriculture stewardship for Illinois citizens.
  • Facilitate communication, meeting, and outreach strategies under the guidance of Extension’s Specialist, Professors and Agriculture and Agribusiness Program Leader.
  • Work with Illinois agriculture and industry partners to acquire data, program information, and photos that advance sustainability and smart agriculture practices.
  • Monitor the overall project timeline and track project successes through evaluation.
  • Evaluate and conduct data analysis and prepare data summaries and visualizations to show impacts.
  • Manage the professional, educational social media for SARE and Smart agriculture projects.
  • Complete reports, maintain records and data as required by members of the leadership team.

 

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.
  • Continually seek professional development opportunities to enhance competency in subject matter areas.
  • 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.
  • Identify funding opportunities for the SARE and Smart Agriculture for both public and private to meet project goals. Prepare and offer assistance preparing competitive grant proposals to fund the project.

 

Organizational Requirements

  • Perform other duties that contribute to the mission of University of Illinois Extension programming, as assigned.
  • Comply with all University of Illinois Extension Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity policies and guidelines in all aspects of Extension work; assist unit staff with data collection for Affirmative Action, Gender, and Targeted reports as needed.
  • Local, regional, statewide, and (limited) interstate travel required.

Other Information

  • 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 Visiting Extension Outreach Associate, Agriculture and Agribusiness, is administratively and programmatically responsible to the Assistant Dean, Agriculture and Agribusiness.  

Qualifications

Required: 

  • Bachelor’s degree in agricultural sciences, agricultural communications, agricultural engineering, environmental studies or sustainability, environmental engineering, or a related technical discipline. Degrees in other related fields will be considered with work experience that demonstrates similar competencies. Candidates with a bachelor’s degree in progress may be considered for interviews, but degree must be completed by hire date.
  • Experience organizing information and groups of stakeholders or volunteers.

 

Preferred: 

  • Master’s degree in agricultural sciences, agricultural communications, agricultural engineering, environmental studies or sustainability, environmental engineering, or a related technical discipline.
  • Grant writing experience.
  • Experience with Extension programs.

 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

  • Familiarity with agricultural stakeholders in the state. Knowledge of agriculture partners, institutions and federal and state best management practices. Excellent written and oral communications skills, including demonstrated webinar skills. Strong interpersonal skills and strong data management/spreadsheet skills. Ability to prioritize a heavy and varied workload, delivery results on a timeline, and provide regular reports of activities/achievements, as requested.

 

Additional Information

Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position. The position is a temporary, full-time, benefits-eligible, non-tenured academic professional position. This position 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. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity. The salary range for this position starts at $53,000. 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/1024822. 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 18, 2024.

 

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.

 

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