Extension Educator, Health and Community Wellness; Food and Health Systems

Extension Educator, Health and Community Wellness (Food and Health Systems)

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WE TRANSFORM LIVES. Everything we do is designed to improve the quality of life of the people in the state of Illinois, across the nation, and around the world. We discover, develop, translate, and disseminate knowledge to address societal concerns and train the next generation of experts and leaders in a way that empowers them to expand the boundaries of science to higher levels of understanding and influence.

University of Illinois Extension provides educational programs aimed at making life better, healthier, safer, and more profitable for individuals and their communities. Illinois Extension has operated continuously for more than 100 years connecting the citizens of Illinois to their land‑grant university. The Extension Educator serves as a regular, full‑time, 12‑month academic professional with primary responsibility for the development, delivery, and evaluation of educational programs within the Extension mission.

• 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 appropriate resource bases.
• Assess the needs of local clientele systematically and analytically, 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 and align with broader state and national initiatives.
• Deliver high‑impact programs to diverse audiences using innovative delivery mechanisms, teaming with additional Extension employees and volunteers as appropriate.
• Guide program expansion and quality processes by teaching and supporting 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, statistically relevant manner, focusing on short‑ and long‑term changes in client practices.
• Develop effective communication approaches, including electronic technologies such as Twitter, Facebook, blogs, and e‑learning.
• Comply with all reporting deadlines and requirements (e.g., plans of work, activity and impact reporting).

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

• Establish professional relationships and participate in campus‑based partnerships that tie academic programs and research to improve Extension programming.
• Be an active member within a professional society(s) to keep abreast of changes within the discipline.
• Continuously seek professional development opportunities to enhance competency in the subject matter area.
• Use research and evaluation findings to create innovative programs and make changes to existing programs.
• Share principles of evidence‑based best practice with peers.

• Assist unit staff with gathering program participant demographic information to ensure compliance with civil rights reporting requirements.
• Local, regional and (limited)…