at University of Illinois in Urbana, Illinois, United States
Job Description
Extension Specialist, Family and Consumer Science (Spanish Language/Cultural Advancement)University of Illinois Extension
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 Extension Specialist, Family and Consumer Science, serves as a regular, full-time, 12-month academic professional. This is a senior level Extension position with primary responsibility for leading the development and use of instructional programs and materials for Spanish-speaking communities across Illinois and supporting the mission of University of Illinois Extension while working with statewide Extension personnel to implement culturally relevant nutrition education programs. The position is a statewide position providing programmatic leadership for community nutrition education programs within the Family and Consumer Science area of University of Illinois Extension.
Location: Urbana-Champaign Campus
(Hybrid or instate remote work arrangements may be possible)
Additional positions may become available in other locations.
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/Instructional Development and Implementation
- Assess the needs of programmatic users across Illinois in a systematic and analytical manner to ensure effective course and instructional materials development and implementation within Spanish-speaking communities.
- Within the designated area(s) of specialization, develop innovative programs and training materials, inclusive of culture and language, to meet the programmatic needs as well as to mesh with the broader state and national interdisciplinary initiatives.
- Identify and communicate new practices in community-based programming and train statewide Extension staff.
- Initiate educational delivery systems, including digital educational instruction formats, within relevant subject area expertise.
- Communicate the effectiveness and impact of educational programs. Share positive results across the 27 Extension units in support of their reporting, program development and program marketing.
- Conduct programmatic reviews of the key projects, specifically monitoring the user experience of program materials.
- Evaluate both short- and long-term outcomes to determine effectiveness and continuation of programmatic efforts.
- Provide technical assistance and support statewide staff on programmatic needs of the priority communities.
- Initiate and maintain relationships with key leaders and stakeholders across the state as well as other professionals working nationally in EFNEP/SNAP-Ed.
- Contribute to the overall vision of FCS by volunteering for leadership roles as appropriate.
- Collect data that contributes to the research-based evidence of the community nutrition programs.
- Pursue professional development opportunities to enhance competency in subject matter area.
- Conduct literature reviews to stay abreast of the latest research in nutrition education for limited resource audiences.
- Be an active member within a professional society(s) to keep abreast of changes within your discipline.
- Comply with all University of Illinois Extension Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity policies and guidelines in all aspects of Extension work; assist Unit staff with data collection for Affirmative Action, Gender, and Targeted reports.
- Perform other duties that contribute to University of Illinois Extension programming, as assigned.
- Local, regional, and statewide travel required; personal transportation required.
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, ability to move, transfer and/or transport 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 family and consumer science, adult education, human nutrition, community health or public health from an accredited institution of higher education. Master's 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.
- At least 3 years of relevant experience with community-based programs.
- Bi-lingual: English and Spanish.
- Experience in language translation.
- Experience developing community based programs using cultural food traditions.
- PhD in related field.
- Experience with land-grant University Extension.
- Experience working with SNAP-Ed/EFNEP.
- Strong oral and written communication skills. Evidence of strong interpersonal skills and teamwork as well as the ability to work independently. Informal and formal teaching experience. Ability to work flexible hours and be self-directing. Knowledge of best practices in implementing and communicating impact of community-based programs. Knowledge of Illinois demographics. Knowledge of Limited English proficiency plans and requirements.
The Extension Specialist is administratively responsible to the Senior Manager, Curriculum and Research.
Appointment Information
Sponsorship for work authorization is not available for this position. This position is a full-time, benefits-eligible, non-tenure academic professional position appointed on a 12-month service basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the closing date. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity. The salary range for this position starts at $73,000. 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 May 31, 2024. 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. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered.
For further information about this specific position, please contact Christina Edgington at chrisedg@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, 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: 1024339
Job Category: Off-Campus
Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu
