Extension Instructor or Extension Educator - Water & Cropping Systems; Adams

Extension Instructor or Open Rank Extension Educator – Water & Cropping Systems (Adams County)

Overview: This twelve‑month, non‑tenure‑track position is based at Hastings, NE, with geographic accountability in Adams, Franklin, Kearney, and Webster counties. The educator serves as a trusted, research‑based educational leader connecting the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, the agricultural industry, and Nebraska communities through practical, science‑based extension programming and applied research.

Primary responsibilities:

• 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 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 entrepreneurial practices to obtain funding and partnerships, enhancing Extension’s program reach and impact.
• Create ongoing programming revenue that supports the viability of individuals, teams, units, and the System.
• Lead and contribute value to high‑performing Extension programming teams.
• Engage in personal and professional development opportunities that enhance knowledge, skills, and competencies relevant to your role.
• Support youth development programs by contributing to areas related to your specific assignment.
• Conduct need assessments, identify priorities, develop various program and engagement platforms to connect with a variety of audiences, measure program impact, and report the results in your annual report as well as to Extension boards, County Commissioners and Supervisors, State Senators, key stakeholders, at professional meetings, and in professional and Extension publications when appropriate.
  • Educators collaborate with lead educators, Extension specialists, Extension advisory committees, and local stakeholders within their accountability region to assess needs and offer access to engagement opportunities through various platforms (e.g., focus groups, surveys, stakeholder meetings, etc.).
  • Participate in teams comprised of assistants, educators, specialists, other staff or faculty, industry, and community leaders. These teams focus on current or future needs or strengths and strategize in program areas where you contribute.
• Foster a culture of collaboration with local leaders and accountability in the region that nurtures and builds positive relationships among the University, its partners, and the communities we serve.
• Cultivate open and welcoming learning environments.
• Complete PEARS data entry and reporting requirements.
• Fulfill annual IANR reporting requirements, including an individual impact report.

Organizational Citizenship / Lead Educator Role (∼20%):

• Coordinating with Engagement Zone Coordinator(s) and other Extension…