Requisition Number: F_190125

Department: Panhandle Rsch & Ext Center-0942

Description of Work:

Focused Expertise Assignment: Community Environment (Approximately 80% of time):
This is a 12-month, non-tenured position. This educator's home base will be Scotts Bluff County. The subject matter focus for this educator is Community Environment with a primary focus on local food production. This educator's primary responsibility is to develop and deliver educational programs and resources as an active participant in one or more of Nebraska Extension's statewide issue teams. This educator's geographic region includes Sioux, Dawes, Sheridan, Box Butte, Scotts Bluff, Morrill, Garden, Banner, Kimball, Cheyenne, Deuel. This educator is expected to interact closely with local food producers and allied organizations to deliver programs in their geographic area as well as statewide based on the intentions of the statewide issue team. The outcome of this focused Extension educational program for community environment includes: a) economical and sustainable production practices for locally grown foods; b) development and use of best management practices that result in fresh and safe products that meet the needs of a local clientele; c) growers of locally grown food products use production practices that result in stewardship of resources especially land and water resources; d) growers of locally grown foods will have a business plan that includes marketing and distribution components; e) in partnership with Community Vitality Educators, pursue expanded local and regional markets for local foods, and f) more locally produced foods, especially vegetables and fruits, will be a part of the diet of children and adults. In this position the Extension educator will:
1.Use innovative strategies and cutting-edge technologies to design, develop, deliver and evaluate programs for a robust statewide Extension education program in community environment.
2.Engage in a collaborative-learning environment with local food producers and allied organizations to encourage the adoption of research-based information in decision-making.
3.Deliver educational programming for community environment statewide and within the assigned geographic region. Within their geographic region the educator will also engage with unit leaders, extension advisory committees, and local stakeholders (e.g. Natural Resource Districts, allied organizations and others) to determine needs and provide access to educational opportunities.
4.Work in a multi-disciplinary team environment with Extension professionals and other partners to translate and teach the latest research-based information.
5.Use entrepreneurial practices to secure grants, program fees and partnerships to leverage the Extension educational program's resource base and reach.
6.Partner with research faculty to engage in action research that can be applied to educational programming.
7.Practice effective Extension scholarship by conducting needs assessments, identifying priorities, measuring program impact and reporting results at professional meetings and in professional publications.
8.Develop a professional development plan to enhance and maintain professional expertise in urban ecology and Extension pedagogy.
9.Support the youth development program by teaching in areas related to community environment focused assignment.
10.This is a collaborative position with Western Nebraska Community College and the North Platte Natural Resource District. The Extension Educator will provide instructional needs for specified courses in the pre-agricultural emphasis area. These needs are currently in the general area of agronomy and soil science. All components of vegetable and fruit production as well as greenhouse management will be a primary focus of this instruction.

Organizational Assignment (Approximately 20%):
The focused extension educator will function as a fully-connected and contributory member of the Scotts Bluff County Extension Team. Additional responsibilities include:
1.Support the Unit Leader with engagement of advisory or policy groups.
2.Cooperate with local faculty and staff in a team environment to promote Extension's educational opportunities in the host counties.
3.Foster and build community relationships for Extension and a positive, professional image of the University of Nebraska – Lincoln.

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.

Some travel is required. Must meet driver standards according to UNL policy and have a valid driver's license. Criminal history background check will be conducted.

Minimum Required Qualifications: