Visiting Extension Outreach Assistant, Health and Community Wellness

Visiting Extension Outreach Assistant, Health and Community Wellness

University of Illinois Extension

As part of the Land Grant system, the University of Illinois was established not only to provide world class education and pioneer research and discovery, but to put learning and discovery into practice, to benefit the health and wellbeing of residents and communities in every part of Illinois. Extension is the university's statewide network of educators, faculty experts, and staff dedicated to that mission.

To learn more about University of Illinois Extension, visit https://extension.illinois.edu/global/who-we-are.

We will invest in our employees, our most important resource, by providing professional development and training that enables you to learn and grow to your full potential. We will strive to provide a healthy work-life balance for all our employees, regardless of role. Together, we will maintain a culture that promotes inclusivity, teamwork, and an environment that challenges and rewards our employees.

The Visiting Extension Outreach Assistant, Health and Community Wellness, serves as a full-time 12-month academic professional and has the primary responsibility for planning, developing, and delivering educational programs supporting the mission of University of Illinois Extension.

• Bachelor's degree in nutrition, dietetics, public health, community health, human services, social work, family and consumer sciences, or a related field. Candidates with a degree in progress may be considered for interviews, but degree must be completed by hire date.
• Experience collaborating with community partners.

• Experience with University of Illinois Extension.
• Experience in working with underserved communities.
• Experience assisting with public benefit programs (e.g., SNAP, WIC, or other food safety-net programs).
• Experience delivering educational programs, workshops, or group facilitation.
• Experience using mobile devices for data reporting, communication, and educational assistance.
• Valid driver's license.

11 full-time positions are available.

Location: Hybrid work options are available but onsite work is required in the counties listed below for each position.

• Will and Kankakee
• Rock Island, Henry, Mercer, Stark, and Knox
• Peoria, Fulton, Tazewell, and Mason
• Ford, Iroquois, Champaign, and Vermillion
• Logan, Sangamon, Christian, Macoupin, and Montgomery (2 positions)
• Madison and St. Clair
• Bond, Fayette, Marion and Jefferson
• Jackson, Williamson and Franklin
• Union, Johnson, Alexander, Pulaski and Massac
• Richland, Lawrence, Wabash, Edwards, Wayne, Hamilton and White

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.

• Map local food access gaps and identify community partners, including food pantries, schools, and health clinics, to target outreach for the Find Food IL Navigator program.
• Build relationships with community organizations serving households at risk of food insecurity to expand referral networks.
• Conduct screenings with individuals and families to identify likely eligibility for food benefit programs such as SNAP and connect them with referral and application assistance.
• Connect households to local food resources based on their specific circumstances and needs.
• Deliver presentations to community partners and at outreach events to raise awareness of available food benefit programs.
• Work as part of a team to develop community-specific educational resource materials to support program outreach and delivery.