Job Description
University of Illinois Extension
Visiting Extension Unit Educator
Crop Systems
Sangamon Menard Unit
(Search #A0900134 )
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.
Position Location
Sangamon-Menard Unit
2501 N. 8th Street
IL State Fairgrounds
Springfield, IL 62702
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.
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.
Required Qualifications
- 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 Qualifications
- 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.
Salary
Commensurate with professional qualifications and experience. Base salary with MS Degree and no experience is $40,000.
Application Deadline
To ensure full consideration, application materials must be received by November 20, 2009
Start Date
Negotiable
Application Process
All candidates must complete an online profile through jobs.illinois.edu by November 20, 2009 for consideration. Please upload your letter of application, resume, the names, email addresses, and phone numbers of three professional references, and a copy of your college transcripts. All requested information must be submitted for your application to be considered. Finalists will be required to submit three formal letters of reference (from the three references identified). The candidate selected to fill this position will be required to submit official college transcripts as a condition of hire.
Further Information
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@uiuc.edu |
