Extension Instructor or Extension Educator H Youth Development; Lincoln

Extension Instructor or Open Rank Extension Educator – 4‑H Youth Development (Lincoln County) Overview

This position is based in North Platte, NE, with the geographic accountability region of Lincoln, Logan, and McPherson Counties. The major responsibility of the position is to provide regional leadership for Nebraska Extension’s 4‑H and Youth Development Program. The extension professional is expected to interact closely with 4‑H clientele in these communities and deliver programs in their geographic area.

The Positive Youth Development – 4‑H extension professional will contribute to the integrated (extension, research, and teaching) land‑grant mission of the home unit and the IANR as an effective scholar and citizen, including supporting student recruitment and IANR science literacy. In 4‑H, we believe in the power of young people. We see that every child has valuable strengths and real influence to improve the world around them.

We are America’s largest youth development organization, empowering nearly six million young people across the U.S. with the skills to lead for a lifetime. Nebraska Extension is an organization that values excellence and, as a member of the Nebraska Extension team, you will create and deliver world‑class learning experiences focused on critical issues that empower Nebraskans to improve their lives.

This twelve‑month, non‑tenure track position carries the title of open‑rank extension educator or extension instructor, depending on the candidate’s level of education. Those possessing 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 in possession of an undergraduate degree will be considered for an instructor position – a full‑time, non‑promo table, non‑tenure track appointment that is renewed annually for a maximum of five years.

If hired as an instructor, the incumbent will be expected to make satisfactory progress toward and complete a master’s degree within the initial five‑year appointment period. As part of the Nebraska benefits package, UNL offers tuition remission for full‑time employees, up to 15 credit hours per year. Once the master’s degree is earned within that period, the position will advance to an assistant extension educator appointment.

• 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, when 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., schools 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 the latest research‑based information.
• Engage local, regional and statewide partners to identify and address high‑priority issues where Extension is particularly well positioned to contribute.
• Foster a culture of collaboration with local, regional and statewide leaders that nurtures and strengthens positive relationships among the University, its partners, and the people we serve.
• Employ…