Extension Educator, Agriculture And Agribusiness; Farm Business Management And Marketing

EXTENSION EDUCATOR, AGRICULTURE AND AGRIBUSINESS (FARM BUSINESS MANAGEMENT AND MARKETING)

University of Illinois Extension

College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES)

Location:

Unit 2 – Boone, DeKalb, and Ogle Counties (Position will be housed in either Ogle or DeKalb)

One full time position is available.

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. The educator focuses on Farm Business Management and Marketing and supports sustainability practices related to profitability, succession, and natural resources.

• Provide program leadership, interpret and integrate information, teach in the field of designated expertise, maintain competency to develop and deliver educational programming, and assist clients with appropriate resource bases.
• Assess the needs of local clientele systematically and collaborate with community organizations and other relevant groups.
• Develop innovative curricula and programs to address local needs and align with broader state and national interdisciplinary initiatives.
• Deliver high impact programs to diverse audiences utilizing innovative delivery mechanisms to optimize reach and effectiveness.
• Guide program expansion and 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 program initiatives using a planned and statistically relevant approach, focusing on short-term and long-term impacts.
• Develop effective contemporary communication approaches, including electronic technologies.
• Comply with all reporting deadlines and requirements.
• Market and represent Extension’s interests to external partners and stakeholders.
• Compete for internal and external resources to enhance development of innovative educational programs.
• Cooperate fully with the County Director to achieve budget goals, staffing needs, and grant initiatives.
• Develop professional collaborations with staff and other Extension Council Members.
• Assist and support the total University of Illinois Extension program.
• Accept statewide responsibilities as recommended.
• Serve as an effective team member and volunteer for leadership roles.
• Lead unit team under direction of County Director.
• Perform other duties contributing to the mission of Extension programming.
• Establish professional relationships and campus-based partnerships to complement Extension programming.
• Be an active member of professional societies.
• Seek professional development opportunities.
• Use research and evaluation findings to create innovative programs and improve quality.
• Share principles of evidence-based best practice with peers.

• Assist unit staff with gathering participant demographic information for civil rights reporting.
• Travel within local, regional, and limited statewide areas; personal transportation required.
• Work both in office and community settings; evening and/or weekend work may be required.
• Physical demands: ability to transport items up to 40 pounds.

The Extension Educator is administratively responsible to the County Director.

The Extension Educator is programmatically responsible to the Program Leader(s) for program delivery aligned with national and state priorities.

Required:

• Master’s degree in agriculture, agricultural science, agricultural education, agricultural economics, or closely related field.
• Experience with educational programs.

Preferred:

• Experience in specialty field or related field of study.
• Experience in planning and developing educational programs.
• Informal and formal teaching experiences.
• Experience with 4-H or FFA.
• Experience with University of Illinois Extension.

• Strong communication skills.
• Ability to organize, manage, and conduct educational activities for adult audiences.
• Ability to build and maintain networks.
• Abil…