Extension Instructor or Extension Educator - Health and Wellbeing; Hamilton

Requisition Number: F_250090

Department: NE Ext Engagement Zone 7-12356

This position is based in Aurora, NE, with a geographic accountability region of Hamilton, Merrick, Clay, Nuckolls, Thayer, and Fillmore Counties. The Health & Wellbeing extension professional 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 professional 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.

Nebraska Extension is an organization that values excellence. As a member of Nebraska Extension, the educator is expected to deliver high-quality, research‑based programs, contribute to collaborative teams, and demonstrate measurable impact through evaluation and reporting.

This twelve‑month, non‑tenure track position carries the title of open rank extension educator or extension instructor, depending on the candidate’s level of education. Those possessing a graduate‑level degree in the requested area of instruction will be considered for an educator position, a full‑time, promo table, non‑tenure track appointment. Those in possession of an undergraduate degree in the requested area of instruction will be considered for an instructor position, a full‑time, non‑promo table, non‑tenure track appointment that will be renewed annually for a maximum of five years in the appointment.

If hired as an instructor, the incumbent will be expected to make satisfactory progress toward and complete a master's degree within the initial five‑year appointment period. As part of the Nebraska benefits package, UNL offers tuition remission for full‑time employees, up to 15 credit hours per year. Once the master's degree is earned within that period, the position will advance to an assistant extension educator appointment.

• 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…