Extension Educator, Chicago High School For Agricultural Sciences

Extension Educator, Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences

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.
The Extension Educator, Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences (CHSAS), is expected to concentrate programmatically in metropolitan food and environmental systems within diverse urban production settings. Close collaboration with other Commercial Agriculture, Urban Agriculture, Local Food Systems/Small Farms, Horticulture, Family and Consumer Sciences, 4-H Youth Development, and Community and Economic Development Extension Educators is required. The Extension Educator will be located at the CHSAS. The Extension Educator will build networks among diverse groups within Cook County and the surrounding counties, who have strong interest in expanding the food and agriculture system in the Chicago area through youth development, training, and education. Candidate will engage with urban growers, community members, and volunteers, CHSAS personnel, decision-makers, and other stakeholders and clientele involved in urban agriculture and CHSAS. It is preferred that the candidate be familiar with the Chicagoland and Cook County area. Also, collaborate closely with others to achieve common goals regarding urban food and agriculture teaching and training. Educate community members about critical urban food systems issues. Create higher education, business, and community partnerships to expand and support CHSAS program initiatives in food and agriculture. Partner with the College of ACES, Office of Academic Programs regarding activities related to student pathways. Have expertise in metropolitan/urban food systems; volunteerism; equity, access, and opportunity; partnerships and organizational systems, which is shared with others through volunteer trainings and professional staff development

One full-time position is available.
Location: Chicago, IL
(Position will be housed at CHSAS – 3857 West 111th Street, Chicago, IL 60655)
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:

Program Development, Delivery and Evaluation

• Assess the needs of CHSAS clientele in a systematic, analytical, and culturally competent manner. This will include networking and collaborating with community organizations and other relevant groups.
• Within the designated area 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 delivery mechanisms to optimize reach, effectiveness, and cultural relevance.
• Partner with academic programs, department heads, and others as needed within the College of ACES to develop and deliver appropriate college-preparation educational materials and programs using traditional and innovative educational platforms related to urban agriculture and food, agricultural and environmental systems. Collaborate with the Council on Teacher Education to ensure alignment of educational programming with state requirements, where appropriate.
• Develop effective and contemporary approaches to communicate with clientele. This may include constantly evolving electronic technologies (e.g., twitter, Facebook, blogs, e-learning, etc.) used in culturally appropriate ways.
• Develop, maintain or establish a pipeline for students with aspirations of agriculture/agriculture or science related careers
• Evaluate the impact of program initiatives in a planned and statistically relevant fashion. Evaluation plans should focus not only on short-term impacts but also on long-term changes in clientele practices.
• Serve as a preceptor for undergraduate students that are completing independent study, experiential learning, which include internships and research experiences in the College of ACES.
• Guide program expansion and program quality processes by providing training and support to employees or volunteers who teach and work with urban food systems and STEM-related programs.

Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences (CHSAS) Program Leadership

• Provide program leadership to the CHSAS regarding the mission of the University of Illinois Extension. This will include marketing and representing Extension’s interests to external partners and stakeholders in areas related to expertise.
• Develop and maintain professional collaborations with the Extension Region 1 Assistant Director and Region 1 County Directors, other Specialists and Educators, Community College Professionals and CHSAS administration and board members.
• Lead, interpret, and integrate information to best assist local clientele in developing and maintaining government, non-government, industry, and academic partnerships.
• Establish positive relationships and partnerships with area food and beverage companies, community organizations, industries, government, and non-profit organizations to promote urban food, agriculture, environmental sciences, and related topics, along with 4-H youth development, integrated extension programming, training, and education for the future workforce.
• Cooperate with Extension personnel and the CHSAS administration and board members to develop grants regarding metropolitan food and environmental systems, positive youth development, workforce training in urban food and agriculture, and other relevant grant initiatives.
• Develop Illinois Extension curriculum for adult learners in partnership with CHSAS administration.
• As requested, supervise civil service personnel and hourly personnel.

Organizational Leadership and Development

• Serve as a culturally competent and effective team member and volunteer for leadership roles as appropriate.
• Compete for internal and external resources to enhance the development of innovative educational programs with potential for high impact.
• Assist with and support the total University of Illinois Extension and Outreach program.
• As needed, accept statewide responsibilities as requested by the Assistant Dean of Agriculture and Agribusiness.
• Cooperate fully with the Assistant Dean of Agriculture and Agribusiness to achieve budget goals, address staffing needs, fulfill relevant grant initiatives, report impacts, and carry out all other items relevant to the CHSAS partnership.
• Continually seek professional development opportunities to enhance content and cultural competency in subject matter area which includes for example, Illinois Extension Agriculture Association (IEAA), University of Illinois Extension opportunities and other appropriate opportunities.
• Perform other duties that contribute to the mission of University of Illinois Extension and Outreach programming, as assigned.
• Comply with all reporting deadlines and requirements (e.g., plans of work, activity and impact reporting, database entry, etc.).

Scholarship

• Establish professional relationships and participate in campus-based partnerships that tie academic programs and research to complement Extension programming by partnering with Extension Specialists and/or faculty members on research projects as appropriate within the initiatives connected to urban food, agricultural, and environmental systems.
• Be an active member within a professional society(ies) to keep abreast of changes within the discipline. Continually seek professional development opportunities to enhance content and cultural competency in metropolitan food, agricultural, and environmental systems and subject matter areas.
• Use research and evaluation findings to create innovative programs and make changes to existing programs in order to improve quality.
• Share principles of evidence-based best practices with peers.

Other Information

• Comply with all University of Illinois Extension Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity policies and guidelines in all aspects of Extension work; assists Unit staff with data collection for Affirmative Action, Gender, and Targeted reports.
• Assume additional related responsibilities to enhance the mission of the unit.
• Local, regional and (limited) statewide travel required; personal transportation required.

Additional Physical Demands
To perform the functions of this position, the employee will be required to perform work both within an office and outside in the communities that are served and must have the capability to travel from one location to the other in a timely fashion. Employee is responsible for securing personal transportation. A valid driver’s license is preferred. Some work will be required during evenings and/or weekends. When working, the employee may be exposed to a variety of environmental factors to include, but not limited to, hot or cold weather, exposure to noise and allergens, and uneven ground. In performing the functions of this position, the employee may be subjected to various mental and physical demands as well to include, but not limited to, independently traveling to and performing work at different locations, ability to move, transfer and/or transport items that may occasionally weigh up to forty (40) pounds and frequently weigh up to twenty (20) pounds, and twisting, pushing and pulling movements. More detailed information regarding the functions of this position (including the physical, mental, and environmental requirements of the position) may be obtained from Human Resources for the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) by contacting hr@aces.illinois.edu.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

• Master’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education. Appropriate fields of study include Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Agricultural and Consumer Economics, Agricultural Leadership/Education/and Communication, Animal Sciences, Crop Sciences, Horticulture, Food Science, Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, Education, or other related field. Candidates with a master’s degree in progress may be considered for interviews, but degree must be completed by hire date.

Experience:

• Evidence of knowledge of and experience with metropolitan food and environmental systems, urban food and agriculture, and/or underserved audiences.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Interdisciplinary training with related teaching or research experience.
• Experience across multiple disciplinary areas of food and agriculture.
• Teaching experience in formal and informal settings.
• Field and/or applied research experience.
• Previous work experience with urban agriculture.
• Evidence of entrepreneurship.
• Familiarity with Chicagoland/Cook County Area
• Experience working with volunteers, including recruitment and support, and with youth and adult learners.
• Experience with program planning for audiences of all socio-demographic characteristics.
• Experience in evaluation and impact reporting.
• Experience in leadership role and/or evidenced ability to guide the work of others.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong oral and written communication skills. Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work within a team environment and with diverse cultural groups. Ability to build and maintain diverse networks. Cultural competency.

Administrative and Programmatic Relationship
The Extension Educator, CHSAS is administratively and programmatically responsible to the Assistant Dean/Program Leader of Agriculture and Agribusiness.

Appointment Information
Sponsorship for work authorization is not available for this position. This position is a full-time, benefits-eligible, non-tenure academic professional position appointed on a 12-month service basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the closing date. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity. The salary range for this position starts at $59,000. Generous vacation and sick leave. State Universities Retirement System. Group health, dental, vision and life insurance.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information
Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (CST) on April 22, 2024. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. Please upload a resume, cover letter, and the names and contact information for three professional references. Resume dates submitted must be in month/year format and employment history, at a minimum, should include all work dating back to the completion of your undergraduate degree. Positions that were less than full-time/100% must be noted as being part-time. Transcripts may be requested at a later date. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered.

For further information about this specific position, please contact Christina Edgington at chrisedg@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal, or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing accessibility@illinois.edu.

Requisition ID: 1023447
Job Category: Off-Campus
Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu