Extension Instructor or Open Rank Extension Educator - 4-H Youth Development (Garden County)

This position is based in Oshkosh, NE, with geographic accountability for Garden and Morrill Counties. The role provides regional leadership for Nebraska Extension’s 4-H and Youth Development Program, delivering programs and interacting closely with 4-H clientele in the assigned communities.

About the Role

In 4-H, we believe in the power of young people and empower youth with the skills to lead for a lifetime. Nebraska Extension values excellence and creates world-class learning experiences focused on critical issues that empower Nebraskans to improve their lives.

This is a twelve-month, non-tenure track position with the title of open rank extension educator or extension instructor, depending on the candidate’s level of education:

• Open Rank Extension Educator: Requires a graduate-level degree in the requested area of instruction. This is a full-time, promotable, non-tenure track appointment.
• Extension Instructor: Requires an undergraduate degree in the requested area of instruction. This is a full-time, non-promotable, non-tenure track appointment renewed annually for a maximum of five years. If hired as an instructor, the incumbent must make satisfactory progress toward and complete a master’s degree within the initial five-year period. Upon completion, the position advances to an assistant extension educator.

As part of the Nebraska benefits package, UNL offers tuition remission for full-time employees, up to 15 credit hours per year.

Responsibilities

Programmatic Responsibilities (80%)

• Exemplify positive and professional behavior and attitude toward colleagues, clients, and partner organizations.
• Develop and deliver proactive, innovative, and engaging educational programs and products using teaching methods and strategies with significant reach, engagement, and impact.
• Establish and sustain a strong local and regional clientele base and programming portfolio, documented and shared with colleagues.
• Employ innovative strategies and technologies to design, develop, implement, and assess programs for a strong Extension education program at the county, regional, and statewide levels.
• Engage and teach in a collaborative learning and problem-solving environment, working with assistants, educators, and specialists to encourage research-based decision-making.
• Deliberately engage and work closely with Extension specialists to fulfill responsibilities.
• Collaborate with specialists and research faculty to conduct applied and validation research that can be amplified via multiple engagement platforms.
• Contribute to multidisciplinary team settings with Extension professionals and other internal and external partners to translate and convey the latest research-based information.
• Engage local, regional, and statewide partners to identify and address high-priority issues where Extension is well-positioned to contribute.
• Foster a culture of collaboration with local, regional, and statewide leaders to nurture and strengthen positive relationships among the University, its partners, and the people served.
• Employ entrepreneurial practices to obtain funding and partnerships, enhancing program reach and impact.
• Create ongoing programming revenue to support the viability of individuals, teams, units, and the System.
• Lead and contribute to high-performing Extension programming teams.
• Engage in personal and professional development opportunities to enhance relevant knowledge, skills, and competencies.
• Support youth development programs by contributing to areas related to the specific assignment.
• Conduct needs assessments, identify priorities, develop program and engagement platforms, measure program impact, and report results in annual reports and to stakeholders.
• Collaborate with lead educators, Extension specialists, advisory committees, and local stakeholders to assess needs and offer engagement opportunities through various platforms (e.g., focus groups, surveys, stakeholder meetings).
• Participate in teams focused on current or future needs or strengths and strategize in program areas of contribution.
• Foster a culture of collaboration and accountability in the region to build positive relationships among the University, its partners, and communities.
• Cultivate open and welcoming learning environments.
• Complete PEARS data entry and reporting requirements.
• Fulfill annual IANR reporting requirements, including an individual impact report.

Organizational Citizenship/Lead Educator Role (20%)

• Serve in, contribute to, or support specific Lead Educator roles as determined in partnership with the supervisor(s).
• Coordinate with Engagement Zone Coordinator(s) and other Extension professionals 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.
  • Cultivating a culture of collaboration with local leaders and community members to build 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.
• Understand and adhere to Equal Employment Opportunity compliance efforts.
• Accept committee assignments, reporting responsibilities, and other special ad hoc assignments as requested.

Some travel is required. Must meet driver standards according to UNL policy and have a valid driver’s license.

Requirements

Minimum Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in youth development, education, or a closely related field (for extension educator) OR bachelor’s degree in youth development, education, or a closely related field (for extension instructor). If hired as an instructor, the incumbent must make satisfactory progress toward and complete a master’s degree within the initial five-year appointment period.
• Successful experience teaching in a formal or non-formal setting.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate (e.g., publications, presentations, web, and social media).
• Experience and demonstrated ability to work with youth and youth organizations, including understanding positive youth development and youth program management.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience working as a team, displaying strong leadership and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated experience/training in the recruitment, training, mentoring, and management of volunteers.
• Experience and ability to engage audiences from a variety of backgrounds and socioeconomic statuses.
• Ability to speak language(s) in addition to English; Spanish preferred.

Benefits

• Tuition remission for full-time employees, up to 15 credit hours per year.

This position is not eligible for employment-based permanent residency sponsorship. UNL may sponsor temporary work authorization (e.g., H-1B) for the successful candidate.