Extension Instructor or Extension Educator - Early Childhood; Red Willow

Working Title Extension Instructor or Open Rank Extension Educator - Early Childhood (Red Willow County)

Department NE Ext Engagement Zone 4-12353

This position is based in McCook, NE, with geographic accountability region of Chase, Dundy, Frontier, Furnas, Gosper, Harlan, Hayes, Hitchcock, Phelps, and Red Willow Counties. Focused on young children and their caregivers, the role contributes to the integrated land‑grant mission of the home unit and the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources as an effective scholar and citizen.

The primary responsibility is to develop and deliver high quality, innovative educational programs and resources as an active participant in the Early Childhood team and possibly in a statewide issue team that addresses current issues facing Nebraska. The incumbent will interact closely with parents, teachers, early childhood professionals, and caregivers of young children in the geographic area and possibly statewide based on current projects and goals of the team.

Nebraska Extension’s Early Childhood team supports adults who play a role in young children’s lives by providing educational programming and resources about early child development and early care and education. Adults play a significant role in setting the stage for young children’s lifelong learning, discovery, and success. The team is committed to empowering these adults to support and provide effective learning experiences for Nebraska’s young children, enhancing children’s readiness for school and lifelong success.

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 with a graduate‑level degree in the requested area of instruction will be considered for an 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 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, the position will advance to an assistant extension educator appointment.

• Exemplifies positive and professional behavior and attitude towards colleagues, clients, and partner organizations.
• Develops and delivers 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.
• Establishes and sustains a strong local and regional clientele base and programming portfolio that is documented and shared with colleagues.
• Employs 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.
• Engages and teaches 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 engages and works closely with one or more Extension specialists to fulfill your Extension responsibilities.
• Collaborates with specialists and research faculty to conduct applied and validation research (e.g., health and wellbeing, and community) that can be amplified via multiple engagement platforms.
• Shows robust contributions to multidisciplinary team settings with Extension professionals and other internal and external partners to translate and convey the latest research‑based information.
• Engages local, regional, and statewide partners to identify and address high‑priority issues where Extension is particularly well positioned to contribute.
• Fosters a culture of collaboration…