Visiting Extension Educator, Community and Economic Development (Community Development and Planning)

Job Purpose

The Visiting Senior Manager, Health and Community Wellness, serves as a full-time 12-month academic professional. This is a senior-level Extension position with primary responsibility for providing statewide leadership for grants and special initiatives within the Center for Food Systems, Nutrition Security, and Health Integration as part of the broader Health and Community Wellness programs.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree in urban planning, public administration, community development, business, management, or related field.
• Experience in planning processes, facilitating groups, community engagement efforts, working with adult learners, or other relevant experience.
• Candidates with a Master’s degree in progress may be considered for interviews, but degree must be completed by hire date.
• Experience in Needs Assessment and Strategic Planning.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience within the specialty field.
• Teaching experience in informal and formal settings.
• Experience with University of Illinois Extension.
• Valid driver’s license.

Specific Job Information

One full-time position is available. Location: Unit 22 – Madison, Monroe, and St. Clair Counties (Position will be housed in St. Clair County – East St. Louis, IL). Additional positions may be available in other locations. 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.

Examples of the Work

• Provide program leadership, interpret and integrate information, teach in the field of designated expertise, maintain the competencies to develop and deliver educational programming, and assist clients with the appropriate resource bases.
• Assess the needs of local clientele in a systematic and analytical manner.
• Develop innovative curricula and programs to address local needs as well as to mesh with the broader state and national interdisciplinary initiatives.
• Deliver high impact programs to varied audiences utilizing a selection of innovative delivery mechanisms to optimize reach and effectiveness, by teaming with additional Extension employees and volunteers who assist with program management functions and teaching roles when appropriate.
• Guide program expansion and program quality processes by teaching and providing training and support to employees or volunteers who teach and work within the program area.
• Support voluntary educational delivery systems with relevant subject matter expertise.
• Evaluate the impact of program initiatives in a planned and statistically relevant fashion.
• Develop effective and contemporary approaches to communicate with clientele. This may include constantly evolving electronic technologies (e.g. twitter, Facebook, blogs, e-learning, etc.).
• Comply with all reporting deadlines and requirements (e.g. plans of work, activity and impact reporting, etc.).

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work within a team environment.
• Ability to build and maintain varied networks.

Organizational Leadership and Development

• Market and represent Extension's interests to external partners and stakeholders in areas related to expertise.
• Compete for internal and external resources to enhance the development of innovative educational programs with potential for high impact. Includes strategic use of available funds to increase program quality and impact.
• Cooperate fully with the County Director to achieve budget goals, address staffing needs, fulfill relevant grant initiatives, report impacts, and carry out all other items relevant to the operation.
• Develop professional collaborations with the County Director, other Educators and Extension Council Members.
• Aid in and support the total University of Illinois Extension program.
• Accept statewide responsibilities as recommended by the Program Leader and approved by the County Director.
• Serve as an effective team member and volunteer for leadership roles as appropriate.
• Lead unit team under the direction and in consultation with the County Director.
• Perform other duties that contribute to the mission of University of Illinois Extension programming, as assigned.

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.
• Be an active member within a professional society(s) to keep abreast of changes within your discipline.
• Continually seek professional development opportunities to enhance competency in subject matter area.
• 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.

Other Information

• Aid unit staff with gathering program participant demographic information to ensure compliance with civil rights reporting requirements.
• Local, regional and (limited) statewide travel required; personal transportation required.
• Work Schedule, Travel, Or Other Job Expectations 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. Some work will be required during evenings and/or weekends.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

• 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 physical demands including 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.

Appointment Information

• This position is not eligible for any type of sponsorship for work authorization.
• This is a temporary, full-time, benefits-eligible, non-tenured academic professional position.
• This position may become non-visiting at a later time dependent upon funding and/or programmatic needs.
• The expected start date is as soon as possible after the closing date.
• The previously determined salary range for this position was $59,000 to $82,000. 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.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

• Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (CST) on August 6, 2026.
• 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 https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered.
• For further information about this specific position, please contact Doug Harlan at dharlan@illinois.edu.
• For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.