Extension Instructor or Open Rank Extension Educator - WCS PSEP/Chemigation Coordinator at The University of Nebraska-Lincoln in Lincoln, Nebraska

Job Description:

Working Title:

Extension Instructor or Open Rank Extension Educator - WCS PSEP/Chemigation Coordinator

Department:

Agronomy & Horticulture-0827

Requisition Number:

F_240155

Posting Open Date:

10/04/2024

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

11/06/2024

Open Until Filled:

Yes

Description of Work:

Overview

The Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP) Coordinator will contribute to the integrated extension, research, and teaching land-grant Mission of IANR as an effective scholar and citizen, including supporting student recruitment and IANR science literacy. This is an in-person position within the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, with statewide accountability. The overarching goal is to provide resources for the pesticide education and certification process. The individual in this position will serve as the PSEP Coordinator for the state of Nebraska. The incumbent will be an active participant in developing solution-based resources and educational programs related to pesticides and chemigation as a member of the statewide Water and Cropping Systems team.


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 a representative of Nebraska Extension and assume responsibility for planning, conducting, and evaluating pesticide safety education and chemigation programs. Program emphasis will reflect the educational mission of Nebraska Extension. Programs will be clientele based and will produce scholarly outcomes to educate stakeholders on pesticide/chemigation related topics.


• Responsible for developing and maintaining pesticide safety education programs for in-person and online delivery for academic credit, non-credit, certificates, and/or recertification purposes. These programs shall contribute to IANR science literacy programming, as appropriate.


• Provides effective training and professional development that prepares Extension professionals for successful clientele engagement and program delivery.


• Assesses the impact of PSEP and chemigation program efforts in team or individual effort and reports impacts to Nebraska Extension, the home administrative unit, community and public leaders, the general public, and peers at conferences and meetings.


• Assesses the needs and program content and assigns priority to programs and adjusts accordingly. Informs clientele about the status of these programs. Commits time and other resources according to highest priorities.


• Functions as an effective team member in the state. Cooperates with other faculty and staff involved in pesticide application decision support, Extension zone coordinators, other Extension personnel, and industry cooperators to coordinate programming. Promotes effective working relationships and facilitates teamwork among cooperators.


• Maintains working/team relationships with USDA agencies, the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy, the US Environmental Protection Agency, educational partners, community organizations, and with business and citizen committees that provide program guidance, linkages and evaluation.


• Works with PSEP staff, cooperating departments, and Nebraska Extension in planning, marketing, and delivering a public relations plan.


• Participates in professional development activities to increase teaching skills, knowledge of subject matter areas, and interpersonal and team skills. As public needs change, re-trains and re-assigns to new subject matter responsibilities.


• Develops grant proposals and solicits external funding for partial or complete support of programming efforts.


• Contributes to creating and maintaining a positive, professional image for Nebraska Extension, the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.


• Works in a multi-disciplinary team environment with Extension professionals and partners to translate and teach the latest research-based information about pesticides/chemigation.


• Uses entrepreneurial practices to secure grants, contracts, program fees, and partnerships to leverage the extension educational program's resource base and to extend the reach and impact of these programs.


• Partners with research faculty members in action research that can be applied to pesticide and chemigation educational programming.


• Conducts needs assessments, identifies priorities, measures program impact, and reports results at professional meetings and in professional publications.


• Supports youth development programs by teaching in areas related to pesticides.


• Promotes effective working relationships and conditions within the Pesticide Safety Education Office and pesticide registration staff, which facilitates teamwork and increases effort and satisfaction of staff.


• Fosters effective and productive working relationships with Extension professionals that lead to strong collaborative teamwork and impacts.


• Prepares annual budgets, manages and provides accountability of financial operations for the PSEP staff. Responsible for effective management of the pesticide education office, including:


• Arrangement of space and purchase of supplies.


• Selects, supervises, evaluates, and trains the staff involved in pesticide training process.


• Maintains office files and records related to pesticide education and certification.

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 and other Extension professionals, on-campus and statewide as appropriate, to develop a robust Nebraska Extension presence.


• Cooperates with faculty and staff in a team environment to promote Extension's educational opportunities and impact in the Academic/Administrative Unit and statewide.


• Cultivates a culture of collaboration with both internal and external stakeholders that builds positive relationships between the University and our partners.


• 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 Agronomy, Entomology, Plant Pathology, Weed Science, Plant Science or a closely related field (extension instructor) OR master's degree in Agronomy, Entomology, Plant Pathology, Weed Science, Plant Science, 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.


• Excellent written and oral communication skills.


• Experience teaching in a formal or non-formal setting.


• Demonstrated ability to communicate (i.e., publications, presentations, web, and social media).


• Demonstrated supervision experience, i.e. cultivating effective team work including managing program personnel and budget.


• Excellent organizational skills to facilitate effective work at all levels with internal and external partners.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience teaching pesticide safety or practical experience/knowledge of pesticide delivery systems.


• Outstanding leadership skills as demonstrated by roles in college, career, and/or community activities.


• Successful experience developing financial support for educational programs, including grant writing, fund generation, contracting, and/or cost recovery efforts.


• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage multiple priorities and programs.


• Three (3) or more years of experience in extension/outreach.

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 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?:

No

Organizational Location:

Default Location

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