Job Description
University of Illinois Extension
Visiting Extension Unit Educator, Crop Systems
Sangamon-Menard Unit
(Search #0813)
Location
Sangamon-Menard Unit
2501 N. 8th Street
IL State Fairgrounds
Springfield, IL 62702
Nature, Purpose, and Scope of Position
The Visiting Extension Unit Educator, Crop Systems is an academic professional staff member with primary responsibility for delivering Crop Systems educational programs supporting the local mission of University of Illinois Extension. The Visiting Extension Unit Educator, Crop Systems works as a team member with the Extension County Director, other local Extension staff, Extension Educators and Extension Specialists to assess needs, determine program priorities and deliver and evaluate high quality Crop Systems programs within Sangamon and Menard Counties. The Visiting Extension Unit Educator fosters sensitivity to the needs of diverse audiences while working with the local leadership in program planning. This is a temporary full-time academic professional position. It may become permanent at a later time dependent upon funding and programmatic needs.
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.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Provide program leadership, interpret and integrate information and teach in the crop systems field and maintain the competencies to develop and deliver crop systems educational programming, and assist clients with the appropriate resource bases.
- Assist with the total University of Illinois Extension program.
- Participate in program and professional development team programs in the crop systems field and seek additional opportunities to maintain professional competence through in-service education, formal coursework, applied research, personal study and periodic study leaves.
- Cooperate with the Extension County Director, other local Extension staff, Extension Council and committees to assess local programming needs to develop the Plan of Work for the county. Develop, deliver and coordinate crop systems educational programs identified in the Plan of Work.
- Develop a plan for involving volunteers in specific crop systems educational programs, which includes recruitment, training, support and recognition.
- Network and/or collaborate with community organizations and groups to assess needs and develop crop systems educational programs to address those needs.
- Develop marketing plans and goals to recruit participants for crop systems educational programs; develop advertising and publicity for the programs.
- Cooperate with the Extension County Director, other local Extension staff, Extension Educators, Extension Specialists, Program and Professional Development Team members and advisory groups to develop new crop systems educational programs. Accept statewide leadership responsibilities for program and professional development when opportunities arise and they parallel Sangamon-Menard Unit priorities.
- Create access to and apply the crop systems knowledge base in Sangamon and Menard Counties and contribute to the crop systems research and knowledge base.
- Cooperate with the Extension County Director, other local Extension staff, Extension Educators and Extension Specialists in evaluating crop systems educational programming. Improve program impact and be conscious of the need for accountability to various shareholders. Share the results with local groups, decision-makers and administrators.
- Comply with University of Illinois Extension Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity policies and guidelines.
- Perform other duties that contribute to University of Illinois Extension programming as assigned.
Administrative Relationship
The Visiting Extension Unit Educator, Crop Systems is administratively responsible to the University of Illinois West Central Regional Director.
Program Relationship
The Visiting Extension Unit Educator, Crop Systems is responsible to the Department of Crop Sciences, College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences for the subject matter content of programs delivered.
Qualifications
Required
- Master's degree from an accredited institution of higher education. Appropriate fields of study include agronomy, agricultural economics, plant science, soils or other related academic majors. Candidates with a Master’s degree in progress may be considered for interviews, but degree must be completed by hire date.
- Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing.
- Personal transportation required. Moderate travel required.
Preferred
- Experience working in the crop systems field or in a closely related field.
- Informal and formal teaching experience.
- Demonstrated ability to build and strengthen diverse networks.
- Evidence of strong interpersonal skills and teamwork.
- Computer literacy.
- Demonstrated ability to be flexible and adaptable to change.
Application Deadline
To ensure full consideration, application materials must be received by July 18, 2008.
Start Date
Negotiable
Salary
Commensurate with professional qualifications and experience. Base salary with MS Degree and no experience is $40,000.
Application Process
Application will consist of two (2) each of:
- Letter of interest regarding the specific position. Please indicate position title, location and search number in the letter of interest.
- Current resume.
- Current transcripts of all college work (at least one official copy).
- Three (3) current letters of reference relating to the position available (signed and preferably on letterhead).
- Applicants should include en email address as part of their application materials.
Send application materials to:
Sharon Rohrig, Administrative Aide
West Central Region Office
Suite E, 2930 Montvale Drive
Springfield, IL 62704
Phone: 217/241-4644
Fax: 217/241-4645
E-Mail: srohrig@uiuc.edu
University of Illinois is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. |
