Extension Instructor or Extension Educator - Early Childhood; Dawson

Position

Extension Instructor or Open Rank Extension Educator – Early Childhood (Dawson County).

This position is based in Lexington, NE within the geographic region of Arthur, McPherson, Logan, Custer, Dawson, Lincoln, Perkins, and Keith Counties. The incumbent will develop and deliver high‑quality educational programs and resources for young children and their caregivers, contributing to the integrated land‑grant mission of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (I‑ANR) and Nebraska Extension.

• Exemplify positive, professional behavior toward colleagues, clients, and partners.
• Develop and deliver proactive, innovative, and engaging educational programs and products using effective teaching methods and strategies with wide reach and impact at the county, region, and statewide levels.
• Establish and maintain a strong local and regional clientele base and programming portfolio documented and shared with colleagues.
• Employ innovative strategies and technologies to design, develop, implement, and assess Extension education programs.
• Engage and teach in collaborative learning environments with assistants, educators, and specialists to promote research‑based decision‑making.
• Work closely with one or more Extension specialists to fulfill your responsibilities.
• Collaborate with specialists and research faculty to conduct applied and validation research (e.g., health and wellbeing, community) that can be amplified via multiple engagement platforms.
• Contribute to multidisciplinary team settings with Extension professionals and external partners to translate and convey the latest research‑based information.
• Engage partners to address high‑priority issues where Extension can contribute.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, nurturing strong relationships between the University, its partners, and the served communities.
• Employ entrepreneurial practices to secure funding and partnerships, enhancing program reach and impact.
• Create ongoing programming revenue supporting the viability of individuals, teams, units, and the System.
• Lead and contribute to high‑performing Extension programming teams.
• Engage in personal and professional development to enhance relevant knowledge, skills, and competencies.
• Support youth development programs through relevant activities.
• Conduct needs assessments, identify priorities, develop programs and engagement platforms, measure impact, and report results via annual reports and to stakeholders such as County Commissioners, State Senators, professional meetings, and publications.
• Collaborate with lead educators, specialists, advisory committees, and local stakeholders to assess needs and provide access to engagement opportunities through various platforms (focus groups, surveys, stakeholder meetings).
• Participate in teams with assistants, educators, specialists, faculty, industry, and community leaders to strategize program areas.
• Foster collaboration and build positive relationships among the University, its partners, and the communities served.
• Cultivate open, welcoming learning environments.
• Complete PEARS data entry and reporting requirements.
• Fulfill annual I‑ANR reporting requirements, including an individual impact report.

• Serve in or support Lead Educator roles as defined in the Lead Educator document in partnership with the supervisor.
• Coordinate with Engagement Zone Coordinator(s) and other local Extension professionals to develop a robust Nebraska Extension presence.
• Cooperate with local faculty and staff to promote Extension’s educational opportunities and impact.
• Cultivate collaborative culture with local leaders and community members.
• Support engagement of advisory or policy groups such as the Extension Board, Ag Society, or County Commissioners/Board of Supervisors.
• Adhere to Equal Employment Opportunity compliance efforts.
• Accept committee assignments, reporting responsibilities, and other special assignments at the administrative unit, college/division, institute, and university levels.

• Master’s degree in child development, human development, early…