Extension Instructor or Extension Educator - HLES; Scotts Bluff

Overview

This is a full‑time, 12‑month non‑tenure track position based in Scottsbluff, NE, with a geographic accountability region including Banner, Box Bute, Cheyenne, Dawes, Deuel, Garden, Kimball, Morrill, Scotts Bluff, Sheridan, and Sioux Counties. The primary responsibility is to develop and deliver educational programs and resources in horticulture or related fields, serving as an active participant in the Horticulture, Landscape, and Environmental Systems (HLES) program and one or more of its focus teams, as well as other state‑wide and multidisciplinary teams.

The educator will interact closely with individuals, homeowners, producers, institutions, and organizations working in communities to deliver programs in their geographic area as well as statewide based on the intentions of the statewide team. Nebraska thrives when there are robust, thriving communities. Extension’s role is to catalyze opportunities for communities and individuals to make informed decisions supported by research. Core to this role is the ability to engage clientele in learning and sharing opportunities.

Expected outcomes include:
1) engagement strategies based on lasting and trusted relationships with clientele and associated business and industry leaders that positively impact communities;
2) educational opportunities that result in better stewardship of resources that enhances quality of life; and
3) engagement in education that results in solutions that are sustainable and, where applicable, include a financial and well‑being component.

The HLES Extension professional contributes to the integrated extension, research, and teaching land‑grant mission of the home unit and IANR as an effective scholar and citizen. In HLES we educate and engage Nebraskans, from youth and home gardeners to commercial growers, industry partners, and local leaders, sustainably managing community spaces. The position carries the title of open‑rank extension educator or extension instructor, depending on the candidate’s level of education.

Those with a graduate level degree in the requested area of instruction will be considered for an open‑rank educator position, a full‑time, promo table, non‑tenure track appointment. Those with an undergraduate degree will be considered for an instructor position, a full‑time, non‑promo table, non‑tenure track appointment renewed annually for up to five years. If hired as an instructor, the incumbent will be expected to progress toward and complete a master’s degree within the initial five‑year period.

Upon earning the master’s degree, the role will advance to an assistant extension educator appointment. Tuition remission is available for full‑time employees, up to 15 credit hours per year.

• Exemplify positive and professional behavior and attitude towards colleagues, clients, and partner organizations.
• Develop and deliver proactive, innovative, and engaging educational programs and products, using teaching methods and strategies that have significant reach, engagement, and impact in your county, accountability region, and, as appropriate, statewide and nationally.
• Establish and sustain a strong local and regional clientele base and programming portfolio that is documented and shared with colleagues.
• Employ innovative strategies and technologies to design, develop, implement, and assess programs for a strong Extension education program/engagement at the county, accountability region, and statewide levels.
• Engage and teach in a collaborative learning and problem‑solving environment, working with assistants, educators, and specialists to encourage learners to adopt research‑based decision‑making information.
• Deliberately engage and work closely with one or more Extension specialists to fulfill your Extension responsibilities.
• Collaborate with specialists and research faculty to conduct applied and validation research (e.g., on‑farm, ranch, or community) that can be amplified via multiple engagement platforms.
• Show robust contributions to multidisciplinary team settings with Extension professionals and other internal and external partners to translate and convey…