Job Description

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Visiting Extension Outreach Associate, Agriculture and Agribusiness

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 Visiting Extension Outreach Associate, Agriculture and Agribusiness serves as a full time, 12-month academic professional with primary responsibilities the development, delivery, and evaluation of educational programs related to the Regenerative Farmer Education and Bio- Diversity Programs supporting the mission of the University of Illinois Extension. This position will work to provide leadership to the Agricultural Stewardship and Climate Smart Agriculture Outreach and Research for University of Illinois Extension.

One full-time position is available.

Location: Urbana-Champaign Campus

(Position will be housed in Urbana, IL)

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 Planning, Delivery and Evaluation

• Develop and deliver programing on bio diversity agriculture, research and smart agriculture practices, and carbon/ storage technologies for Illinois agriculture.
• Facilitate communication, meeting, and outreach strategies under the guidance of Extension’s Specialist, Professors and Agriculture and Agribusiness Program Leader.
• Work with Illinois agriculture and industry partners to acquire data, program information, and photos that advance sustainability, smart agriculture practices, circular farming practices, community vitality and soil health practices.
• Monitor the overall project timeline and track project successes through evaluation.
• Evaluate and conduct data analysis and prepare data summaries and visualizations to show impacts.
• Manage the professional, educational social media for Smart agriculture projects, carbon sequestration and public awareness of soil organics and soil provisions.
• Complete reports, maintain records and data as required by members of the leadership team.

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.
• Continually seek professional development opportunities to enhance competency in 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 practice with peers.
• Attend meetings of Agriculture and Agribusiness , Local Foods/Small Farms and other teams as appropriate.
• Identify funding opportunities for the SARE and Smart Agriculture for both public and private to meet project goals. Prepare and offer assistance preparing competitive grant proposals to fund the project.

Organizational Requirements

• Perform other duties that contribute to the mission of University of Illinois Extension programming, as assigned.
• Comply with all University of Illinois Extension Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity policies and guidelines in all aspects of Extension work; assist unit staff with data collection for Affirmative Action, Gender, and Targeted reports as needed.
• Local, regional, statewide, and (limited) interstate travel 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.

Administrative Relationship
The Visiting Extension Outreach Associate, Agriculture and Agribusiness, is administratively and programmatically responsible to the Assistant Dean, Agriculture and Agribusiness.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in agricultural sciences, agricultural communications, agricultural engineering, environmental studies or sustainability, environmental engineering, or a related technical discipline. Bachelor degrees in other fields will be considered with work experience that demonstrates similar competencies. Candidates with a bachelor’s degree in progress may be considered for interviews, but degree must be completed by hire date.

Experience:

• Experience organizing information and groups of stakeholders or volunteers.

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Master's degree in agricultural sciences, agricultural communications, agricultural engineering, environmental studies or sustainability, environmental engineering, or a related technical discipline.

Experience:

• Grant writing experience.
• Experience with Extension programs.
  

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Familiarity with agricultural stakeholders in the state. Knowledge of Agriculture partners, institutions and federal and state best management practices. Excellent written and oral communications skills, including demonstrated webinar skills. Strong interpersonal skills and strong data management/spreadsheet skills. Ability to prioritize a heavy and varied workload, delivery results on a timeline, and provide regular reports of activities/achievements, as requested.

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. The previously determined salary range for this position was $53,000 to $65,000. We strive to provide a competitive salary while taking into consideration internal equity, candidate experience and qualifications, as well as budget constraints. The final salary offer will be determined through a calculation involving these elements. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at the top of the full range for this position. 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 January 7, 2025. 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 will not be considered.

For further information about this specific position, please contact Christina Chopra at cchopra@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. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. 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 : 1028355

Job Category : Off-Campus

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Job Tags

Full time, Part time, Work experience placement, Local area, Weekend work, Afternoon shift,

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