Extension Instructor or Open Rank Extension Educator - Rural Prosperity Nebraska (Sheridan Co.)

OVERVIEW
Based in Rushville, NE, the incumbent serves Sioux, Dawes, Box Butte, Sheridan, Cherry, Grant, Hooker, and Thomas Counties. Communities across Nebraska can create opportunities to thrive with effective leadership and people. Nebraska Extension’s role is to catalyze these opportunities with communities who demonstrate readiness and willingness. Core to this role is the ability to conduct community outreach, visitation and engagement with community leaders and residents. Expected outcomes include: 1) a community engagement strategy based on lasting and trusted relationships implemented with communities and leaders, 2) identification and training of community leaders and organizations prepared to facilitate locally driven strategies and solutions, and 3) identification of development needs and opportunities.

This Rural Prosperity Nebraska extension professional will contribute to the integrated (extension, research, and teaching) land-grant mission of IANR as an effective scholar and citizen. Nebraska Extension is an organization that values excellence. As a member of the Nebraska Extension team, you are expected to create and deliver world-class learning experiences focused on critical issues that empower Nebraskans to improve their lives.

Incumbent will have interest, experience, and expertise in one or more of the following mission areas:

• People Attraction, Development and Retention - In many Nebraska communities, chronic and severe depopulation of younger generations is a major development threat, as well as an opportunity.
• Quality of Life Placemaking - Central to community prosperity is quality of life placemaking. Placemaking is the art and science of helping communities understand their genuine place assets and developing smart placemaking strategies.
• Entrepreneur-Focused Development – Economic diversification (both within and beyond agriculture) is foundational to community prosperity across Nebraska but particularly in farm- and ranch-dependent communities. Our central pathway to a more diverse economy is community-centered entrepreneur-led economic development.
• Leadership and Organizational Development – Community (particularly non-metro community) capacity building (e.g., leadership and organizational development, visioning, strategic planning, etc.).
• Regional Food Systems – Fostering and strengthening local food systems. Work with communities across the State to embark on building a food system that meets the needs of everyone.

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 open rank educator position, a full-time, promotable, 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-promotable, 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 UNL benefits package, the University 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.

Nebraska extension professionals are committed to engaging with community partners, organizations, and all audiences, as well as individuals in ways that reflect an understanding and value for individual differences (e.g., race/ethnicity, abilities, gender, sexual orientation, religion). Nebraska Extension strives to ensure that innovative programming, translational research, and learning opportunities promote equity and inclusion.

PROGRAMMATIC RESPONSIBILITIES (approximately 80%)

• Develops a close and defined working relationship with the RPN program leader and Engagement Zone Coordinator(s). Develop a plan to leverage your stakeholder reach and engagement within and beyond your RPN Accountability Region.
• Completes mapping of all your communities within your region and the major community economic development players.
• Uses your networks to identify transactional assistance opportunities to connect them to resources both within our Team and externally (e.g., Extension, University and outside the University).
• A priority responsibility is serving Nebraska communities in a community coaching capacity. Community coaching is a form of community engagement to help communities identify their development priorities and network communities to assistance and resources relevant to their development efforts.
• Uses innovative strategies and cutting-edge technologies to design, develop, deliver, and evaluate programs for a robust statewide Extension education program in rural prosperity.
• Works in a multi-disciplinary team environment with extension professionals and other partners to translate and teach the latest research-based information.
• Works with both University and non-University resources to help rural communities network to achieve optimal assistance in their quest for greater prosperity.
• Uses entrepreneurial practices to secure grants, program fees and partnerships to leverage the Extension educational program’s resource base and reach.
• Partners with research faculty to engage in action research that can be applied to educational programming.
• Practices effective Extension scholarship by conducting needs assessments, identifying priorities, measuring program impact, and reporting results at professional meetings and in professional publications.
• Develops a professional development plan to enhance and maintain professional expertise specific to community vitality and Extension pedagogy.

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 found at https://myextension.unl.edu/lead-educator-position-description 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 Opportunities; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; and Civil Rights 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

• Bachelor’s degree in Organizational or Community Development, Economics, Leadership Studies, Community or Regional Planning, Education, Rural Sociology, Entrepreneurship, Business Administration, Landscape Architecture, Planning – with a focus on community-based, regional, urban, environmental and/or infrastructure, or closely related field (extension instructor) OR Master’s degree in Organizational or Community Development, Economics, Leadership Studies, Community or Regional Planning, Education, Rural Sociology, Entrepreneurship, Business Administration, Landscape Architecture, Planning – with a focus on community-based, regional, urban, environmental and/or infrastructure, or closely related field (extension educator).
• Successful experience teaching in a formal or non-formal setting.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate (i.e., publications, presentations, web, and social media).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with individuals, coworkers, and teams to accomplish individual and/or group goals, as evidenced by college, career, and/or community activities.
• Outstanding leadership skills as demonstrated by roles in college, career, and/or community activities.
• Understanding of different ethnic and socioeconomic audiences and a commitment to developing and delivering both inclusive and targeted programming to assist underserved audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to network effectively with businesses and/or community leaders.
• Familiarity with rural communities in Nebraska.
• Understanding of or experience with developing and delivering educational programs focused on rural prosperity Nebraska priority issues.
• Expertise and/or experience in placemaking or leadership work.

Recognizing that diversity enhances creativity, innovation, impact, and a sense of belonging, the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR) and Nebraska Extension are committed to creating learning, research, Extension programming, and work environments that are inclusive of all forms of diversity. Consistent with the University’s N2025 Strategic Plan, we see every person and every interaction as important to our collective well-being and our ability to deliver on our mission.

This position is not eligible for employment-based permanent residency sponsorship. UNL may be able to sponsor temporary work authorization (e.g., H-1B) for the successful candidate.

As an EO/AA employer, the University of Nebraska considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation. See https://www.unl.edu/equity/notice-nondiscrimination.

Job Type: Full-time

Work Location: In person