Extension Instructor or Open Rank Extension Educator - Health and Wellbeing (Hamilton County)

Overview

This position is based in Aurora, NE, with a geographic accountability region of Hamilton, Merrick, Clay, Nuckolls, Thayer, and Fillmore Counties. This is a twelve-month, non-tenure track position. The Health & Wellbeing Extension Educator provides regional expertise and develops focused, comprehensive learning programs that strengthen health, support food science and safety, improve food and nutrition security, and enhance long-term wellbeing across the lifespan. The educator works with individuals, families, youth, community organizations, and partner agencies to deliver evidence-based education and to support policy, systems, and environmental approaches that improve health outcomes. Programming addresses priority health and wellbeing issues facing Nebraska communities, including chronic disease prevention, nutrition and physical activity, food safety, food access, and community health supports. Nebraska faces ongoing challenges related to obesity, chronic disease, foodborne illness, and disparities in health and food access. Addressing these complex and interconnected issues requires coordinated education, strong partnerships, and sustained community engagement. The Health & Wellbeing Extension Educator contributes to the integrated land-grant mission of IANR by translating research into practice, supporting local and regional partnerships, and creating learning opportunities that empower Nebraskans to make informed decisions and build healthier, safer, and more resilient communities.

Responsibilities

Programmatic Responsibilities (approximately 80%):

• 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.
• Deliberately engages and works closely with one or more Extension specialists to fulfill your Extension responsibilities.
• Collaborates with specialists and research faculty to conduct applied and validation research (e.g., health and wellbeing, and community) that can be amplified via multiple engagement platforms.
• Shows robust contributions to multidisciplinary team settings with Extension professionals and other internal and external partners to translate and convey the latest research-based information.
• Engages local, regional, and statewide partners to identify and address high-priority issues where Extension is particularly well positioned to contribute.
• Fosters a culture of collaboration with local, regional and statewide leaders that nurtures and strengthens positive relationships among the University, its partners, and the people we serve.
• Employs innovative, revenue-generating practices to secure funding and develop partnerships that expand Extension's program reach and impact.
• Creates ongoing programming revenue that supports the viability of individuals, teams, units, and the System.
• Leads and contributes value to high-performing Extension programming teams.
• Engages in personal and professional development opportunities that enhance knowledge, skills, and competencies relevant to your role.
• Supports youth development programs by contributing to areas related to your specific assignment.
• Conducts need assessments, identifies priorities, develops various program and engagement platforms to connect with a variety of audiences, measure program impact, and report the results in your annual report as well as to Extension boards, County Commissioners and Supervisors, State Senators, key stakeholders, at professional meetings, and in professional and Extension publications when appropriate.
• Educators will collaborate with lead educators, Extension specialists, Extension advisory committees, and local stakeholders within their accountability region to assess needs and offer access to engagement opportunities through various platforms (e.g., focus groups, surveys, stakeholder meetings, etc.).
• Participates in teams comprised of assistants, educators, specialists, other staff or faculty, industry, and community leaders. These teams focus on current or future needs or strengths and strategize in program areas where you contribute.
• Fosters a culture of collaboration with local leaders and accountability in the region that nurtures and builds positive relationships among the University, its partners, and the communities we serve.
• Cultivates open and welcoming learning environments.
• Completes PEARS data entry and reporting requirements.
• Fulfills annual IANR reporting requirements, including an individual impact report.

Organizational Citizenship / Lead Educator Role (approximately 20%):

• 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).
• 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 Opportunity 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.
• Some travel is required. Must meet driver standards according to UNL policy and have a valid driver's license.

Minimum Required Qualifications

• Master's degree in public health, health promotion, nutrition and health sciences, exercise and health sciences, dietetics, nutrition education, or a closely related field (extension educator) OR bachelor's degree in public health, health promotion, nutrition and health sciences, exercise and health sciences, dietetics, nutrition 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.
• Successful experience teaching in a formal or non-formal setting.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate information (i.e., publications, presentations, web, and social media) to various audiences.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage multiple priorities and programs.
• Experience working collaboratively with individuals, organizations, and community partners to accomplish individual and/or group goals.
• Demonstrated leadership skills through college, career, and/or community activities.
• Knowledge and/or experience in a health and wellbeing related field.
• Professional credential or certification relevant to health and wellbeing, such as Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES), Registered Nurse (RN), Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), or another relevant credential or certification.