Job Description
University of Illinois Extension
Visiting Extension Unit Educator, Natural Resources Management
Montgomery County
(Search #0814)
Location
Montgomery County
#1 Industrial Park Drive
Hillsboro, IL 62049
Nature, Purpose, and Scope of Position
The Visiting Extension Unit Educator, Natural Resources Management is an academic professional staff member with primary responsibility for delivering Natural Resources Management educational programs supporting the local mission of University of Illinois Extension. The Visiting Extension Unit Educator, Natural Resources Management 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 Natural Resources Management programs within Montgomery County. 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 local program leadership, interpret and integrate information, teach in the natural resources management field. Maintain the competencies to develop and deliver natural resources management educational programming and assist clients with the appropriate resource bases.
- Assist with the total University of Illinois Extension program 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 natural resource management educational programs identified in the Plan of Work.
- Develop a plan for involving volunteers in specific natural resources management educational programs, which includes recruitment, training, support and recognition.
- Use professional experience, academic training, and networks created in the community and on campus to implement the Plan of Work.
- Network and/or collaborate with community organizations and groups to assess needs and develop educational programs to address those needs.
- Develop marketing plans and goals to recruit participants for educational programs; develops advertising and publicity for the programs.
- Utilize effective teaching and demonstration methods with groups and individuals through: meetings, tours, field days, workshops, home/office/farm visits, newsletters, and other appropriate methods.
- 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 natural resources management educational programs. Accept statewide leadership responsibilities for program and professional development when opportunities arise and they parallel Montgomery County priorities.
- Create access to and apply the knowledge base for natural resources management in Montgomery County and contribute to the economic development research and knowledge base.
- Participate in program and professional development team programs in the field of natural resources management.
- Cooperate with the Extension County Director, other local Extension staff, Extension Educators and Extension Specialists in evaluating natural resource management 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.
- Provide local program leadership for crop sciences, horticulture and economic development educational programming.
- 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 is administratively responsible to the University of Illinois Extension West Central Regional Director.
Program Relationship
The Visiting Extension Unit Educator is responsible to the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences for the subject matter content of programs delivered.
Qualifications
Required
- Master’s degree in appropriate field of study including natural resources/environmental sciences agricultural education, farm management, horticulture, crop science, weed science, agronomy or related field from an accredited institution of higher education. Candidates with a Master’s degree in progress may be considered for interviews; however, the Master’s degree must be completed by the date of hire. All current U of I Extension educators and county directors are also eligible to apply for this position.
- Moderate travel required, Personal transportation required.
Preferred
- Experience working in the natural resources 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 August 8, 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@illinois.edu
For further information, contact:
Ryan D. Hobson, Regional Director
West Central Regional Office
Suite E. 2930 Montvale Drive
Springfield, IL 62704
Phone 217/241-4644
Email: rhobson@illinois.edu
University of Illinois is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. |
