Extension Instructor or Open Rank Extension Educator - Early Childhood (Red Willow County)

Overview

This position is based in McCook, NE, with the geographic accountability region of Chase, Dundy, Frontier, Furnas, Gosper, Harlan, Hayes, Hitchcock, Phelps, and Red Willow Counties. Focused on young children and their caregivers (e.g., parents, early childhood teachers), this position will contribute to the integrated (extension, research, and teaching) land-grant mission of the home unit and the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources as an effective scholar and citizen.

Programmatic Responsibilities

• Exemplifies positive and professional behavior and attitude towards colleagues, clients, and partner organizations.
• Develops and delivers proactive, innovative, and engaging educational programs and products, using teaching methods and strategies that have significant reach, engagement, and impact in your county, accountability region, and, as appropriate, statewide and nationally.
• Establishes and sustains a strong local and regional clientele base and programming portfolio that is documented and shared with colleagues.
• Employs innovative strategies and technologies to design, develop, implement, and assess programs for a strong Extension education program/engagement at the county, accountability region, and statewide levels.
• Engages and teaches in a collaborative learning and problem-solving environment, working with assistants, educators, and specialists to encourage learners to adopt research-based decision-making information.
• Fulfills annual IANR reporting requirements, including an individual impact report.

Organizational Citizenship/Lead Educator Role

• Serves in, contributes to, or supports the specific Lead Educator roles as described in the Roles and Responsibilities of the Lead Educator document as determined in partnership with the supervisor(s).
• Cultivates a culture of collaboration with local leaders and community members that builds positive relationships between the University and the community.
• Supports engagement of advisory or policy groups such as the Extension Board, Ag Society, or County Commissioners/Board of Supervisors.
• Accepts committee assignments, reporting responsibilities, and other special ad hoc assignments as requested at the administrative unit, college/division, institute, and/or university level.

Minimum Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in child development, human development, early childhood education, or a closely related field (extension educator) OR bachelor’s degree in child development, human development, early childhood education, or a closely related field (extension instructor).
• If hired as an instructor, the incumbent will be expected to make satisfactory progress towards and complete a master’s degree within the initial five-year appointment period.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate information (i.e., publications, presentations, web, and social media) to various audiences.
• Successful experience teaching in formal or non-formal education settings (i.e., preschool, K-12).
• Knowledge and/or experience working with early childhood professionals and/or caregivers (e.g., providers and teachers with an emphasis on childcare systems such as in-home providers, centers, preschools, cooperatives, etc.) commonly found in Nebraska.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage multiple priorities and programs.
• 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.