Extension Instructor or Open Rank Extension Educator - Water & Cropping Systems-Water Quality at The University of Nebraska-Lincoln in Lincoln, Nebraska

Job Description:

Working Title:

Extension Instructor or Open Rank Extension Educator - Water & Cropping Systems-Water Quality

Department:

School of Natural Resources-0844

Requisition Number:

F_240162

Posting Open Date:

10/17/2024

Application Review Date: (To ensure consideration, please submit all application materials before review date):

11/20/2024

Open Until Filled:

Yes

Description of Work:

Overview

This position is based in Lincoln, NE with a statewide accountability region. This position will provide strong leadership for focused, comprehensive educational programs for excellence in water quality. The position will focus on issues related to surface and groundwater quality, current and emerging nonpoint source contaminants (e.g. nutrients, atrazine, PFAS, etc.), and watershed management. A primary role of this position will be to serve as a liaison between the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) Clean Water Act (CWA) 319 program and Nebraska Extension. The Extension professional will provide leadership for Extension water quality education initiatives, develop and publish extension curricula and publications, host professional development workshops, participate in grant proposals for external funding, collaborate with other important contributors, and assess behavioral and conditional impacts of educational programs. Key collaborations include 1) NDEE staff engaged in CWA 319 program implementation, 2) Nebraska Extension teams, and 3) other University of Nebraska faculty engaged in water quality initiatives. Key target audiences for educational programs include Extension faculty and staff, other water quality and natural resources professionals within governmental and non-governmental organizations (e.g. NRCS, NRDs, etc.), and land managers.


Nebraska Extension professionals are committed to engaging with community partners, organizations, and audiences, as well as individuals in ways that reflect an understanding and value for individual differences. Nebraska Extension strives to ensure that innovative programming, translational research, and learning opportunities promote equity and inclusion.


In addition to the above-described duties, the individual will be expected to accept committee assignments, reporting responsibilities, and other special ad hoc assignments as requested at the administrative unit, college/division, institute, and/or university level.


This twelve-month, non-tenure track, in-person 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 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.



PROGRAMMATIC RESPONSIBILITIES (approximately 80%)

• Serves as liaison between Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) and Nebraska Extension for the purpose of connecting the breadth of the state Nonpoint Source Pollution Management Program and related projects with Extension's delivery system.


• Facilitates Extension program engagement and education to support development of watershed management plans and projects designed to address nonpoint source issues.


• Facilitates greater integration of water quality information into current Extension programs.


• Exemplifies positive and professional conduct and attitude among colleagues, clientele, and partnering organizations.


• Develops and delivers proactive, innovative, and engaging educational programs and products, using teaching methods and strategies that have significant reach, engagement, and impact statewide.


• Develops and maintains a robust local/regional clientele following that is documented and shared among colleagues.


• Uses innovative strategies and technologies to design, develop, deliver, and evaluate programs for a robust Extension education program/engagement statewide.


• Engages/teaches in a collaborative-learning/problem-solving environment in collaboration with assistants, educators, and specialists to encourage learner adoption of research-based decision-making information.


• Partners with specialist and research faculty to engage in applied/validation research (e.g. on-farm/ranch/community) that can be amplified via multiple engagement platforms.


• Demonstrates strong contributions to multidisciplinary team environments with Extension professionals and other internal and external partners to translate and teach the latest research-based information.


• Engages local, regional, and statewide partners to identify and address high-priority issues where Extension is well-positioned to contribute.


• Uses entrepreneurial practices to secure funding and partnerships to leverage Extension's programming reach and impact.


• Generates sustained programming revenue that contributes to individual, team, and System viability.


• Leads and contributes value to high-performing Extension programming teams.


• Participates in personal and professional development opportunities that enhance personal knowledge, skills, and competencies relevant to your role.


• Supports youth development programs by contributing to areas related to focused assignment.


• Conducts needs assessments, identifies priorities, develops multiple program/engagement platforms to engage with diverse audiences, measures program impact, and reports impact results in your annual report and when appropriate to Extension boards, county commissioners/supervisors, state senators, key stakeholders, at professional meetings, and in professional and Extension publications.


• Engages statewide with lead educators, Extension specialists, Extension advisory committees, and local stakeholders to determine needs and provide access to engagement opportunities using multiple platforms (i.e. focus groups, surveys, stakeholder meetings, etc.).


• Fosters inclusive, equitable, and welcoming learning environments.


• Develops Individual Action Plan(s) and completes corresponding Individual Action Plan Outcome Reports annually. Develops an annual Individual Impact Statement.

ORGANIZATIONAL CITIZENSHIP/LEAD EDUCATOR ROLE (approximately 20%)

• Serves in, contributes to, or supports the Academic/Administrative Unit. Coordinates with Unit Head/Director/Program Area Leaders/Engagement Zone Coordinators and other Extension professionals, on campus and statewide as appropriate, to develop a robust Nebraska Extension presence.


• Participates in teams composed of Assistants, Educators, Specialists, and other staff or faculty, industry, and community leaders that focus on current or future needs or strengths, and strategize in program areas where you contribute.


• Cultivates a culture of collaboration with local and state leaders that fosters and builds positive relationships among the University, collaborating partners, and the people we serve.


• Supports engagement of advisory or policy groups such as Unit Advisory Committees, Program Advisory Committees, and others as appropriate.


• 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.


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, every person and every interaction are treated 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.
Minimum Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in water resources, natural resources, communications, education, environmental science, environmental or natural resources planning, biological systems engineering, agricultural leadership, hydrology, education and communication, or a closely related field (extension instructor) OR master's degree in water resources, natural resources, communications, education, environmental science, environmental or natural resources planning, biological systems engineering, agricultural leadership, hydrology, education and communication, or a closely related field (extension educator). 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.


• Experience working with individuals, coworkers, and teams to accomplish individual and/or group goals as evidenced by career and/or community activities.


• Evidence of strong oral and written communication skills as demonstrated by roles in career and/or college activities.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in a field identified above.


• Experience working with the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy, Nebraska Extension, and/or other conservation organizations (governmental or non-governmental).


• Demonstrated experience with conservation, agricultural, and urban water quality programs in Nebraska.


• Outstanding leadership skills.


• Experience facilitating interactive processes, which include active listening, needs assessment, and co-creation.

Work Location (City, State):

Lincoln, NE

Criminal History Background Check Required:

Yes

How to Apply:

Click "Apply for this Job" and complete the faculty information form. Attach the following documents:

1. A letter of interest that describes your qualifications for the job and anticipated contributions.


2. Your curriculum vitae or resume. Attach as "Curriculum Vitae."


3. Contact information for three (3) professional references.

In addition, within the application, please complete the required supplemental question(s), one specifically describing your experience working in teams or groups and your anticipated contributions to creating inclusive environments in which every person and every interaction matters. See
https://ianr.unl.edu/tips-writing-about-commitment-to-deib for guidance in writing this statement.
For questions or accommodations related to this position contact:

Marci Sturek


msturek2@unl.edu

Job Category:

Faculty Non-Tenure Leading

Job Category (old):

Faculty Non-Tenure Leading

Job Type:

12 Month (Faculty Only)

Position funded by grant or other form of temporary funding?:

Yes

Organizational Location:

Default Location

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