Extension Educator, Agriculture and Agribusiness (Commercial Agriculture)

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign•Nashville, IL

8d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Extension Educator serves as a 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. This role involves conducting applied research and outreach on commercial field crop production and management, collaborating with campus specialists and the Commercial Ag team, and overseeing selected Commercial Agriculture programs within the Unit. The position requires strong communication and interpersonal skills, the ability to build networks, and a commitment to serving local clientele and the broader state. As part of the Land Grant system, the University of Illinois Extension is dedicated to putting learning and discovery into practice to benefit the health and wellbeing of residents and communities across Illinois. The University is committed to investing in its employees through professional development, training, and fostering a healthy work-life balance within an inclusive and collaborative culture.

Requirements

Master’s degree in a relevant discipline from an accredited institution of higher education (e.g., field crop production, crop management, weed science, plant pathology, entomology).
Master's degree in progress will be considered if completed by hire date.
Experience with educational programs.
Ability to earn or maintain active Certified Crop Advisor certification.
Strong communication skills.
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work within a team environment.
Ability to build and maintain networks.

Nice To Haves

Experience within crop sciences, including management of crops, soils, pests, and plant nutrients.
Teaching experience in informal and formal settings.
Experience with University of Illinois Extension.
Valid driver’s license.

Responsibilities

Conduct applied research and outreach on the commercial production and management of field crops.
Serve both the Extension Unit and the state in program delivery.
Collaborate with campus-based specialists, faculty, and the Commercial Ag team on locally relevant research projects.
Cooperate with campus faculty on pest surveys and share findings with stakeholders.
Oversee selected Commercial Agriculture programs within the Unit.
Manage regional and statewide duties related to Commercial Agriculture.
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, including networking and collaborating with community organizations and other relevant groups.
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 audiences utilizing a selection of innovative delivery mechanisms to optimize reach and effectiveness, by teaming with additional Extension employees and volunteers.
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, focusing on short-term impacts and long-term changes in clientele practices.
Develop effective and contemporary approaches to communicate with clientele, including evolving electronic technologies.
Comply with all reporting deadlines and requirements (e.g. plans of work, activity and impact reporting, etc.).
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.
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.
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.
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.
Assist unit staff with gathering program participant demographic information to ensure compliance with civil rights reporting requirements.