Extension Educator, Health and Community Wellness; Food and Health Systems

Extension Educator, Health and Community Wellness (Food and Health Systems) University of Illinois Extension

WE TRANSFORM LIVES. Everything we do is designed to improve the quality of life of the people in the state of Illinois, across the nation, and around the world. We discover, develop, translate, and disseminate knowledge to address societal concerns and train the next generation of experts and leaders in a way that empowers them to expand the boundaries of science to higher levels of understanding and influence.

Be a part of our story. Through learning partnerships that extend knowledge and change lives, University of Illinois Extension provides educational programs aimed at making life better, healthier, safer, and more profitable for individuals and their communities. Illinois Extension has operated continuously for more than 100 years connecting the citizens of Illinois to their land‑grant university by providing educational programming around the state.

University of Illinois Extension is based in the College of ACES and works with all colleges and units of the University of Illinois at Urbana‑Champaign.

The Extension Educator serves as a regular, full time, 12‑month academic professional with primary responsibility for the development, delivery, and evaluation of educational programs supporting the mission of the University of Illinois Extension. Extension Educators support one of the four core Extension program areas and within that program area may focus on one or more of the following interdisciplinary initiatives:
Community, Environment, Economy, Food, and Health. Programmatic objectives of Extension Educators will be consistent with national and statewide initiatives considered of significant importance to residents of the state of Illinois.

Extension Educators will be expected to deliver research‑based educational programs and to work within team settings that may consist of other Extension Educators, community professionals, and faculty within and outside of the College of ACES. The establishment of professional networks as well as the development of relationships with key stakeholder groups is vital to the success of Extension Educators. Extension Educators will be expected to deliver educational programs not only within their assigned multi‑county unit, but as requested, to clientele within other units.

Extension Educator, Health and Community Wellness (Food and Health Systems) is responsible for organizing and conducting programs using policy, system, and environmental changes targeting specified health outcomes in alignment with the plan of work. Position requires developing partnerships with community organizations, providing technical assistance and working collaboratively with community partners, and providing professional development for organizations in communities within the target area.

Knowledge of how to initiate community and systems changes using evidence‑based strategies are essential for this position.

Unit 11 – Fulton, Mason, Peoria, and Tazewell Counties (Position will be housed in Peoria County – Peoria, IL). Additional positions may be available in other locations.

This is a security‑sensitive position. Comprehensive background checks, including but not limited to a criminal conviction information check, a CANTS check, and a review of the Registered Sex Offender list, will be conducted.

• Provide program leadership, interpret and integrate information, teach in the field of designated expertise, maintain the competencies to develop and deliver educational programming, and assist clients with the appropriate resource bases.
• Assess the needs of local clientele in a systematic and analytical manner. This will include networking and collaborating with community organizations and other relevant groups.
• Within the designated area(s) of specialization, develop innovative curricula and programs to address local needs as well as to mesh with the broader state and national interdisciplinary initiatives.
• Deliver high impact programs to diverse audiences utilizing a selection of innovative…