University Nebraska-Lincoln: Extension Instructor or Open Rank Extension Educator

• People Attraction, Development and Retention - In many Nebraska communities, chronic and severe depopulation of younger generations is a major development threat, as well as an opportunity.

• Entrepreneur-Focused Development – Economic diversification (both within and beyond agriculture) is foundational to community prosperity across Nebraska but particularly in farm- and ranch-dependent communities. Our central pathway to a more diverse economy is community-centered entrepreneur-led economic development.
• Leadership and Organizational Development – Community (particularly non-metro community) capacity building (e.g., leadership and organizational development, visioning, strategic planning, etc.).
• Regional Food Systems – Fostering and strengthening local food systems. Work with communities across the State to embark on building a food system that meets the needs of everyone.

Responsibilities: 

• Develops a close and defined working relationship with the RPN program leader and Engagement Zone Coordinator(s). Develops a plan to leverage your stakeholder reach and engagement within and beyond your RPN Accountability Region.
• Completes mapping of all your communities within your region and the major community economic development players.
• Uses your networks to identify transactional assistance opportunities to connect them to resources both within our Team and externally (e.g., Extension, University and outside the University).
• A priority responsibility is serving Nebraska communities in a community coaching capacity. Community coaching is a form of community engagement to help communities identify their development priorities and network communities to assistance and resources relevant to their development efforts.
• Uses innovative strategies and cutting-edge technologies to design, develop, deliver, and evaluate programs for a robust statewide Extension education program in rural prosperity.
• Works in a multi-disciplinary team environment with Extension professionals and other partners to translate and teach the latest research-based information.
• Works with both University and non-University resources to help rural communities network to achieve optimal assistance in their quest for greater prosperity.
• Uses entrepreneurial practices to secure grants, program fees and partnerships to leverage the Extension educational program’s resource base and reach.
• Partners with research faculty to engage in action research that can be applied to educational programming.
• Practices effective Extension scholarship by conducting needs assessments, identifying priorities, measuring program impact, and reporting results at professional meetings and in professional publications.
• Develops a professional development plan to enhance and maintain professional expertise specific to community vitality and Extension pedagogy.

• Serves in, contributes to, or supports the specific Lead Educator roles as described in the Roles and Responsibilities of the Lead Educator document found at https://myextension.unl.edu/lead-educator-position-description as determined in partnership with the supervisor(s).
• Coordinates with Engagement Zone Coordinator(s) and other Extension professionals locally and in accountability region to develop a robust Nebraska Extension presence by
  • Cooperating with local faculty and staff in a team environment to promote Extension’s educational opportunities and impact in the host county.
  • Cultivating a culture of collaboration with local leaders and community members that builds positive relationships between the University and the community.
  • Supporting engagement of advisory or policy groups such as the Extension Board, Ag Society, or County Commissioners/Board of Supervisors.
• Understands and adheres to Equal Employment Opportunities; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; and Civil Rights compliance efforts.
• Accepts committee assignments, reporting responsibilities, and other special ad hoc assignments as requested at the administrative unit, college/division, institute, and/or university level.

• Bachelor’s degree in Organizational or Community Development; Economics; Leadership Studies; Community or Regional Planning; Education; Rural Sociology; Entrepreneurship; Business Administration; Landscape Architecture; Planning with a focus on community-based, regional, urban, environmental, and/or infrastructure; or a closely related field (extension instructor) OR Master’s degree in Organizational or Community Development; Economics; Leadership Studies; Community or Regional Planning; Education; Rural Sociology; Entrepreneurship; Business Administration; Landscape Architecture; Planning with a focus on community-based, regional, urban, environmental and/or infrastructure; or a closely related field (extension educator).
• Successful experience teaching adults in a formal or non-formal setting.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate in writing, verbally, and/or online.

• Experience working with individuals, coworkers, and teams to accomplish individual and/or group goals, as evidenced by college, career, and/or community activities.
• Outstanding leadership skills as demonstrated by roles in college, career, and/or community activities.
• Understanding of different ethnic and socioeconomic audiences and a commitment to developing and delivering both inclusive and targeted programming to assist underserved audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to network effectively with businesses and/or community leaders.
• Familiarity with rural communities in Nebraska
• Understanding of, or experience with, developing and delivering educational programs focused on rural prosperity Nebraska priority issues.