Visiting Extension Outreach Associate

University of Illinois Extension and Agricultural and Biological Engineering

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.

Be a part of our story. Through learning partnerships that extend knowledge and change lives, 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 by providing educational programming around the state. University of Illinois Extension is based in the College of ACES and works with all colleges and units of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

The Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering (ABE) has an established international reputation for its research in a broad array of specializations. ABE is consistently ranked as one of the top ten best undergraduate engineering programs in the nation. ABE is interdisciplinary nature, as there is collaboration across the University of Illinois campus as well as the University of Illinois Research Park.

The Visiting Extension Outreach Associate serves as a full time, 12 month academic professional with primary responsibility for planning, developing, and implementing Illinois Farm Stress activities and initiatives, and agricultural safety and health initiatives in collaboration with Illinois Extension. This position will serve a 12-state farm stress effort in addition to Illinois specific farm stress initiatives and will work closely with the Farm Stress Extension Specialists and Extension team to ensure regional and state program objectives are met. This position will be expected to learn core elements of the North Central Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Center (NC FRSAC), a USDA funded farm and ranch stress assistance network.
One full time position is available.
Location: Urbana-Champaign Campus
(Hybrid work arrangement may be available.)
The University of Illinois is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action employer that recruits and hires qualified candidates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability or veteran status. For more information, visit http://go.illinois.edu/EEO.
This is a security-sensitive position. Comprehensive background checks, including but not limited to a criminal conviction information check, a CANTS check, and a review of the Registered Sex Offender list, will be conducted.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Program Planning, Development, and Evaluation

• Ensure program objectives are met through program planning, implementation, and evaluation of educational programs (Mental Health First Aid, Youth Mental Health First Aid, QPP).
• Plan and facilitate youth safety days, school presentations, and similar events.
• Assist in developing information and dissemination materials to agricultural audiences.
• Disseminate information via social media.
• Facilitate communication, meeting, and outreach strategies under the guidance of program directors.
• Monitor and evaluate the overall project and programming timeline and budget.
• Communicate project efforts with target audiences in the North Central Region.
• Assist in the day-to-day operations of the North Central Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Center.
• Oversee website development and maintenance.

Research and Evaluation

• Develop factsheets and infographics.
• Communicate research information to participants.
• Prepare recruitment materials for surveys, interviews, and focus groups.
• Design and administer data collection for needs assessment to ensure program objectives are being met.

Organizational Requirements

• Perform other duties that contribute to the mission of University of Illinois Extension programming, as assigned.
• Travel will be required including attendance at conferences and trade shows.

Additional Physical Demands

To perform the functions of this position, the employee will be required to perform work both within an office and outside in the communities that are served, and must have the capability to travel from one location to the other in a timely fashion. Employee is responsible for securing personal transportation. A valid driver’s license is preferred. Some work will be required during evenings and/or weekends. When working, the employee may be exposed to a variety of environmental factors to include, but not limited to, hot or cold weather, exposure to noise and allergens, and uneven ground. In performing the functions of this position, the employee may be subjected to various mental and physical demands as well to include, but not limited to, independently traveling to and performing work at different locations, lifting and moving items that may occasionally weigh up to forty (40) pounds and frequently weigh up to twenty (20) pounds, and twisting, pushing and pulling movements. More detailed information regarding the functions of this position (including the physical, mental and environmental requirements of the position) may be obtained from Human Resources for the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) by contacting hr@aces.illinois.edu.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

• Master’s degree in kinesiology, public health, occupational safety and health, occupational therapy, physical therapy, or related field. Master degrees in other fields will be considered with work experience that demonstrates similar competencies. Candidates with a Master’s degree in progress may be considered for interviews, but degree must be completed by hire date.

Experience:

• Significant relevant experience in providing educational programs to adult and youth audiences and networking with schools or community partners to develop and deliver education programs.
• Experience developing and disseminating research materials including recruitment information.
• Experience with data cleaning and management.

Preferred Qualifications:

• An understanding of and experience with Extension and outreach programs.
• Informal and formal teaching experience.
• Demonstrated marketing and communications experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills. Project management skills. An understanding of agricultural production in Illinois, demonstrated ability to build and maintain diverse networks, evidence of strong interpersonal skills and teamwork, and ability to work flexible hours and be self-directing are preferred.

Appointment Information
Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position. The position is a temporary, full-time, benefits-eligible, non-tenure academic professional position. The position may become non-visiting at a later time dependent upon funding and/or programmatic needs. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the closing date. Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications. Generous vacation and sick leave. State Universities Retirement System. Group health, dental, vision and life insurance.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information
Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (CST) on December 18, 2023. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. Please upload a resume, cover letter, and the names and contact information for three professional references. Resume dates submitted must be in month/year format and employment history, at a minimum, should include all work dating back to the completion of your undergraduate degree. Positions that were less than full-time/100% must be noted as being part-time. Transcripts may be requested at a later date.

For further information about the position please contact search chair Salah Issa at salah01@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, COVID-19 vaccination requirement, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal, or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing accessibility@illinois.edu.

Requisition ID: 1021472
Job Category: Off-Campus
Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu