Extension Outreach Associate, Great Lakes K-12 Education

Extension Outreach Associate, Great Lakes K-12 Education
University of Illinois Extension
WE TRANSFORM LIVES.
Everything we do is designed toimprove the quality of life of the people in the state of Illinois, across thenation, and around the world. We discover, develop, translate, and disseminateknowledge to address societal concerns and train the next generation of expertsand leaders in a way that empowers them to expand the boundaries of science tohigher levels of understanding and influence.
Be a part of our story. Through learning partnershipsthat extend knowledge and change lives, University of Illinois Extensionprovides educational programs aimed at making life better, healthier, safer,and more profitable for individuals and their communities. Illinois Extensionhas operated continuously for more than 100 years connecting the citizens ofIllinois to their land-grant university by providing educational programming aroundthe state. University of Illinois Extension is based in the College of ACES andworks with all colleges and units of the University of Illinois atUrbana-Champaign.
One of 34 SeaGrant Programs in the U.S., Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant (IISG) is a bi-stateprogram, with its Illinois staff sited within Illinois Extension. IISG works inpartnerships with key organizations, institutions, and agencies in the GreatLakes region and primarily in southern Lake Michigan to empower people to solveproblems in sustainable ways. We do this by providing science-based educationalprogramming, which includes outreach to adult audiences as well as K-12education. The projects that the successful candidate will be engaged in willwork toward this overarching goal.
The Extension Outreach Associate, Great Lakes K-12 Educationserves as a regular, full time, 12-month academic professional with primary responsibilitiesare to increase Great Lakes literacy among Illinois and Indiana youth throughdevelopment, delivery, and evaluation of educational programming supporting themission of Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant and University of Illinois Extension.
One full-time position isavailable.
Location: Illini Center - Chicago, IL
(Remote or hybrid work options maybe available.)
This is a security-sensitiveposition. Comprehensive backgroundchecks, including but not limited to a criminal conviction information check, aCANTS check, and a review of the Registered Sex Offender list, will beconducted.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Program Development, Delivery and Evaluation

• Develop a Great Lakes K-12 research-based education program that addresses local needs and increases literacy about Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant's Great Lakes priority research and outreach issues (e.g., coastal resilience, invasive species, aquaculture, foodweb ecology). This includes developing education resources and opportunities such as curricula and field days, training teachers and non-formal educators in use of the new and existing curricula via workshops, and promoting resources at professional conferences.
• Support educators in implementation of IISG curricula through check-ins, connecting them with partners and other educators who are incorporating Great Lakes literacy into their classrooms, and providing grant-funded financial support as appropriate.
• Develop and maintain partnerships with state, regional, and national partners including University of Illinois and Purdue 4-H, the Great Lakes Sea Grant Network's Center for Great Lakes Literacy, educational institutions, research scientists, professional societies, and other entities as appropriate.
• Develop effective and contemporary approaches with educators including electronic technologies (e.g., Google Classroom, Facebook, etc.).
• Compete for internal and external resources (i.e., grants) to enhance the development of innovative educational programs with potential for high impact.
• Conduct evaluation research to determine effectiveness of programming regarding short-term impacts and long-term changes in clientele practices; use findings to create innovative programs and improve quality of existing offerings.
• Seek professional development opportunities to enhance competency in relevant programmatic areas.
• Assume additional related responsibilities to enhance the mission of the unit.

Administration

• Hire, train, mentor, and conduct performance evaluations for subordinate staff. Approve time/leave and assign/review work of Sea Grant education academic professionals, academic hourlies, and students.
• Use funding to increase program quality and impact and comply with all reporting deadlines and requirements (e.g., plans of work, activity, and impact reporting, etc.).

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.
• Bi-state and regional travel required; personal transportation required.

Additional Physical Demands
To perform the functions of this position, the employee will berequired to perform work both within an office and outside in the communitiesthat are served and must have the capability to travel from one location to theother in a timely fashion. Employee isresponsible for securing personal transportation. A valid driver's license is preferred. Some work will be required during eveningsand/or weekends. When working, theemployee may be exposed to a variety of environmental factors to include, butnot limited to, hot or cold weather, exposure to noise and allergens, anduneven ground. In performing thefunctions of this position, the employee may be subjected to various mental andphysical demands as well to include, but not limited to, independentlytraveling to and performing work at different locations, transferring andtransporting items that may occasionally weigh up to forty (40) pounds andfrequently weigh up to twenty (20) pounds, and twisting, pushing and pullingmovements. More detailed information regarding the functions of this position(including the physical, mental, and environmental requirements of theposition) 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 in education, environmental education, natural sciences, or related field. Master's degrees in other fields will be considered with work experience that demonstrates similar competencies. Candidates with a master's degree in progressmay be considered for interviews, but degree must be completed by hire date.

Experience:

• Three years of experience teaching natural science or a combination of five years teaching and environmental science work experience; required teaching experience can be in non-formal and/or formal educational settings.
• Experience with curriculum development.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Spanish proficiency.
• Experience with environmental education, securing grants, and supervising staff.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong verbal, written, and presentation skills. Excellent interpersonal skills. Robust organizational skills and demonstrated attention to detail. Proven networking abilities. Expertise in equity, access, and opportunity. Familiarity with the Great Lakes and state and/or Next Generation Science Standards is preferred.

Administrative Relationship
The Extension Outreach Associate, Great Lakes K-12 Education,is administratively and programmatically responsible to the Outreach ProgramLeader, Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant.
AppointmentInformation
Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position. This positionis a full-time, benefits-eligible, non-tenure academic professional positionappointed on a 12-month service basis. The expected start date is as soonas possible after the closing date. Salaryis competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while alsoconsidering internal equity. The salary range for this position starts at $59,000. Generousvacation and sick leave. State Universities Retirement System. Grouphealth, dental, vision and life insurance.
ApplicationProcedures & Deadline Information
Applications must bereceived by 6:00 pm (CST) on February 27, 2024. Apply for this positionusing the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. Please upload a resume, cover letter, andthe names and contact information for three professional references. Resumedates submitted must be in month/year format and employment history, ata minimum, should include all work dating back to the completion of yourundergraduate degree. Positions that were less than full-time/100% must benoted 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 furtherinformation about this specific position, please contact ChristinaEdgington at chrisedg@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the applicationprocess, 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: 1022034
Job Category: Off-Campus
Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu