University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Extension Educator, Health and Community Wellnes

Extension Educator, Health and Community Wellness (Food and Health Systems) – 1035890

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 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.

Location: Unit 21 – Clay, Effingham, Fayette, and Jasper Counties (Position will be housed in Effingham County – Effingham, IL)

One full‑time position is available.

• Provide program leadership, interpret and integrate information, teach in the field of designated expertise, maintain competencies to develop and deliver educational programming, and assist clients with 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 all 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.)

• 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 Directors 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 Directors, 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 Directors.
• 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 Directors.
• Perform other duties that contribute to the mission of University of Illinois Extension programming, as assigned.
• 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.
• Contin…