Visiting Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development - University of Illinois Extension
- Employer
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Location
- Champaign, IL
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- Administrative Jobs
- Institutional & Business Affairs, Community & Government Relations
- Employment Type
- Full Time
- Institution Type
- Four-Year Institution
Job Details
College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES)
University of Illinois Extension
VISITING EXTENSION EDUCATOR, 4-H YOUTH DEVELOPMENT - 107773
The Visiting Extension Educator serves as a full time, 12 month academic professional with primary responsibility for the development, delivery, and evaluation of educational programs supporting the mission of the University of Illinois Extension. 4-H Youth Development Educators support one of the four core Extension program areas and within that program area may focus on one or more of the following interdisciplinary initiatives: Energy and the Environment; Food Safety and Security; Economic Development and Workforce Preparedness; Family Health, Financial Security and Wellness; Youth Development. Programmatic objectives of Extension Educators will be consistent with national and statewide initiatives considered of significant importance to residents of the state of Illinois.
Extension Educators are expected to deliver research-based educational programs and to work within team settings that may consist of other Extension Educators, community college professionals, and faculty within and outside of the College of ACES. The establishment of professional networks as well as the development of relationships with key stakeholder groups is vital to the success of Extension Educators. Extension Educators will be expected to deliver educational programs not only within their assigned multi-county unit, but as requested, to clientele within other units.
The Visiting Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development (Metro), is expected to concentrate programmatically in the metro area of the multi-county Unit. This programmatic concentration includes: Provide leadership to the 4-H Youth Development Program in the metro area of the multi-county Unit, focusing on 4-H Clubs, 4-H Groups, and Youth Education Initiatives. Ensure program planning, program monitoring, and program evaluation are consistent with local needs and statewide priorities. Implement organizational systems and programs by teaming with Program Coordinators, Community Workers, and Volunteers who assist with program management functions and teaching roles when appropriate. Guide program expansion and program quality processes. Educate youth about critical youth development issues. Create higher education, business and community partnerships to expand and support 4-H youth development program initiatives. Teach and provide training and support to skilled volunteers who teach and work with youth. Have expertise in youth development; youth program development; volunteerism; equity, access, and opportunity; partnerships; and organizational systems which is shared with others through volunteer trainings and professional development for staff.
One full time position is available.
Location: Unit 22 - Madison, Monroe, and St. Clair Counties
(Position will be housed in Madison County)
Additional positions may become available in other locations
The University of Illinois is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action employer. Minorities, women, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For more information, visit http://go.illinois.edu/EEO. To learn more about the University's commitment to diversity, please visit http://www.inclusiveillinois.illinois.edu.
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.
Specific responsibilities of the Visiting Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development (Metro) are as follows:
4-H Youth Development Local Program Leadership
- Provide program leadership to 4-H Youth Development Program in the metro area of the multi-county unit, focusing on 4-H Clubs, 4-H Groups, and Youth Education Initiatives, 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.
- Develop professional collaborations with the County Director, additional Unit Educators and Extension Council Members.
- Market and represent Extension's interests to external partners and stakeholders in areas related to expertise.
- Cooperate fully with the County Director to achieve budget goals and relevant grant initiatives.
Program Planning, Delivery and Evaluation
- Assess the needs of local clientele in a systematic and analytical manner. This may include networking and collaborating with community organizations and other relevant groups.
- Within the designated area(s) of specialization, 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 diverse audiences utilizing a selection of innovative delivery mechanisms to optimize reach and effectiveness, by teaming with additional Unit Educators, Community Workers, and Volunteers who assist with program management functions and teaching roles when appropriate.
- Guide program expansion and program quality processes by continually educating youth about critical youth development issues, and teaching and providing training and support to skilled volunteers who teach and work with youth.
- Support voluntary educational delivery systems with relevant subject matter expertise in youth development; youth program development; volunteerism; equity, access, and opportunity; partnerships; and organizational systems.
- Evaluate the impact of program initiatives in a planned and statistically relevant fashion. Evaluation plans should focus not only on short-term impacts but also on long-term changes in clientele practices.
- Develop effective and contemporary approaches to communicate with clientele. This may include constantly evolving electronic technologies (e.g. twitter, Facebook, blogs, e-learning, etc.).
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 positive youth development practices and subject matter areas.
- 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.
Organizational Leadership and Development
- Serve as an effective team member and volunteer for leadership roles as appropriate.
- 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.
- Assist with and support the total University of Illinois Extension program.
- Accept statewide responsibilities as recommended by the Program Leader and approved by the County Extension Director.
- Continually seek professional development opportunities to enhance competency in subject matter area.
- Perform other duties that contribute to the mission of University of Illinois Extension programming, as assigned.
Organizational Requirements
- Comply with all reporting deadlines and requirements (e.g. plans of work, activity and impact reporting, 4-H database entry etc.)
Other Information
- Comply with all University of Illinois Extension Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity policies and guidelines in all aspects of Extension work; assists Unit staff with data collection for Affirmative Action, Gender, and Targeted reports.
- Local, regional and (limited) statewide travel required; personal transportation required.
- 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. A valid driver's license is preferred. Some work will be required during evenings and/or weekends. 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 mental and physical demands as well to include, but not limited to, independently traveling to and performing work at different locations, lifting and moving items that may occasionally weigh up to forty (40) pounds and frequently weigh up to twenty (20) pounds, and twisting, pushing and pulling movements. More detailed information regarding the functions of this position (including the physical, mental and environmental requirements of the position) may be obtained from Human Resources for the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) by contacting hr@aces.illinois.edu.
Administrative Relationship: The Visiting Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development is administratively responsible to the County Director.
Programmatic Relationship: The Visiting Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development is programmatically responsible to the Program Leader(s) for the delivery of programs that mesh with identified national and state priorities.
Qualifications
- Required: Master's degree in Youth Development, Education, or related field from an accredited institution of higher education. Candidates with a Master's degree in progress may be considered for interviews, but degree must be completed by hire date. Evidenced knowledge of and experience with youth development best practices. Experience working with racially, ethnically or linguistically diverse youth. Demonstrated ability to build and maintain diverse networks. Strong oral and written communication skills. Evidence of strong interpersonal skills and ability to work within a team environment.
- Preferred: Teaching or youth development experience in informal setting. Experience working with volunteers, including recruitment and support. Experience with program planning for youth audiences. Experience in evaluation and impact reporting of youth programs. Experience in leadership role and/or evidenced ability to guide the work of others.
Additional Information
This position is a temporary, full-time, benefits-eligible, non-tenured academic professional position appointed on a 12-month service basis. 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. Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications. Generous vacation and sick leave. State Universities Retirement System. Group health, dental, vision and life insurance.
Application Procedure: To apply, go to https://go.illinois.edu/107773. Log in to your account and upload a cover letter and resume, as well as the names and contact information of three professional references. Resume dates 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. To receive full consideration, all requested application materials must be submitted via the online system by the close date of January 11, 2019.
For further information about the position please contact Julie Ritchey at julie7@illinois.edu. For technical assistance with the online application process, call 217-333-6747 or email jobs@illinois.edu.
The Univeristy of Illinois conducts criminal background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer.
College Name or Administrative Unit: ACES - Extension
Category: 9-Off-Campus Off-Campus
Category: Off-Campus
Title: Visiting Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development - University of Illinois Extension
Open Date: 12/14/2018
Close Date: 01/11/2019
Organization Name: Unit 22
PI106276560
Organization
Since its founding in 1867, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has earned a reputation as a world-class leader in research, teaching, and public engagement.
Faculty
A talented and highly respected faculty is the University's most significant resource. Many are recognized for exceptional scholarship with memberships in such organizations as the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the National Academy of Sciences, and the National Academy of Engineering.
Our faculty have been awarded Nobel Prizes, Pulitzer Prizes, and the Fields Medal in Mathematics.The success of our faculty is matched by that of our alumni: 11 are Nobel laureates and another 18 have won Pulitzer Prizes.
Academic Resources
Academic resources on campus are among the finest in the world. The University Library is one of the largest public university collections in the world with 11 million volumes in its 37 unit libraries. Annually, 53,000,000 people visit its online catalog. Students have access to thousands of computer terminals in classrooms, residence halls, and campus libraries for use in classroom instruction, study, and research.
Research
Students and scholars find the University an ideal place to conduct research. The Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology is a model for interdisciplinary research, where eighteen research groups from sixteen University departments work within and across three broadly defined themes: biological intelligence, human-computer intelligent interaction, and molecular and electronic nanostructures. The University is also home to the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA).
Undergraduate Education
The University has a fundamental commitment to undergraduate education. Nearly 28,000 undergraduate students are enrolled in nine undergraduate divisions, which together offer some 4,000 courses in more than 150 fields of study.
Undergraduate admission is highly selective. In the 2001 freshman class, students in the middle 50% had ACT scores between 25 and 30 and ranked between the 83rd and 96th percentiles of their high school graduating classes.
The University enrolls over 9,000 graduate and professional students in more than 100 disciplines. It is among the top five universities in number of earned doctorates awarded annually in the United States.
Also integral to the University's mission is a commitment to public engagement. Each year about 65,000 Illinois residents participate in scores of conferences, institutes, courses, and workshops presented statewide. Research and class projects take students and professors off campus to share expertise and technical support with Illinois farmers, manufacturing firms, and businesses. In a typical year, student volunteers log more than 60,000 volunteer hours.
The Arts
A major center for the arts, the campus attracts dozens of nationally and internationally renowned artists each year to its widely acclaimed Krannert Center for the Performing Arts. The University also supports two major museums: the Krannert Art Museum and Kinkead Pavilion; and the Spurlock Museum, a museum of world history and culture.
Other major facilities include the multipurpose Assembly Hall (16,500 seats); Memorial Stadium (70,000 seats), site of Big Ten Conference football games; and the Intramural-Physical Education Building, one of the largest recreational facilities of its kind on a university campus.
Inclusive Illinois, one campus, many voices
Inclusive Illinois is the University’s commitment to cultivating a community at Illinois where everyone is welcomed, celebrated, and respected. Illinois is about how we value difference to make a difference. http://www.inclusiveillinois.illinois.edu/
As evidence of the University’s commitment to enhance the working, living, and learning environment for faculty, staff, and students, the University will encourage a standard of conduct and behavior that is consistent with the values of inclusivity. In an environment of inclusivity, there is no place for acts of hatred, intolerance, insensitivity, bigotry, threats of violence, harassment or discrimination.
Inclusive Illinois, one campus, many voices
Inclusive Illinois is the University’s commitment to cultivating a community at Illinois where everyone is welcomed, celebrated, and respected. Through education, engagement, and excellence, each voice creates the Inclusive Illinois Experience.
How can we appreciate difference to make a difference?
Illinois is the place where we embrace difference. We embrace it because we value it. We value it because we know that we have so much to learn from each other in our living, learning, and working environment.
Illinois is the place where we recognize the power of possibility and where great potential is realized. Inclusive Illinois is the vision of that place: a vision made real by leadership and commitment.
Illinois is the place where consensus is forged by discourse and where everyone’s contributions are recognized: significant contributions that elevate us because they are informed and enhanced by race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation and gender identity, age, physical ability, religion, class, and national origin. We are enriched by these perspectives, and we are united by the very discourse that brings these views together.
It is a process. It is transformative. And we celebrate the remarkable changes we set in motion here … taking an important step … crossing boundaries … starting with our own.
It all starts with each of us: with our willingness to embark on the journey in the search for answers, and with our openness and acceptance of the answers we find. Illinois is the place where it all comes together.
Learn more about how Inclusive Illinois promotes diversity here.
Commitment to Equal Opportunity
The commitment of the University to the most fundamental principles of academic freedom, equality of opportunity, and human dignity requires that decisions involving students and employees be based on individual merit and be free from invidious discrimination in all its forms, whether or not specifically prohibited by law. Among the forms of invidious discrimination prohibited by the University policy but not law is discrimination, including harassment, on the basis of sexual orientation. Complaints of invidious discrimination in violation of University policy are to be resolved within existing University procedures. The policy of the University of Illinois is to comply with all federal and state nondiscrimination, equal opportunity, and affirmative action laws, orders, and regulations. The University will not engage in discrimination or harassment against any person because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, disability, unfavorable discharge from the military, or status as a disabled veteran or a veteran of the Vietnam era. This nondiscrimination policy applies to admissions, employment, and access to and treatment in University programs and activities
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