Visiting Extension Outreach Associate, Agriculture and Agribusiness - 1024847-6689

at University of Illinois in Urbana, Illinois, United States

Job Description

• Develop and deliver programing on bio diversity agriculture, research and smart agriculture practices, and carbon/ storage technologies for Illinois agriculture.
• Facilitate communication, meeting, and outreach strategies under the guidance of Extension's Specialist, Professors and Agriculture and Agribusiness Program Leader.
• Work with Illinois agriculture and industry partners to acquire data, program information, and photos that advance sustainability, smart agriculture practices, circular farming practices, community vitality and soil health practices .
• Monitor the overall project timeline and track project successes through evaluation.
• Evaluate and conduct data analysis and prepare data summaries and visualizations to show impacts.
• Manage the professional, educational social media for Smart agriculture projects, carbon sequestration and public awareness of soil organics and soil provisions .
• Complete reports, maintain records and data as required by members of the leadership team .

• Establish professional relationships and participate in campus-based partnerships that tie academic programs and research to complement Extension programming by partnering with Extension Specialists and/or faculty members on research projects as appropriate within the initiatives.
• Continually seek professional development opportunities to enhance competency in subject matter areas.
• Use research and evaluation findings to create innovative programs and make changes to existing programs in order to improve quality.
• Share principles of evidence-based best practice with peers.
• Attend meetings of Agriculture and Agribusiness , Local Foods/Small Farms and other teams as appropriate .
• Identify funding opportunities for the SARE and Smart Agriculture for both public and private to meet project goals. Prepare and offer assistance preparing competitive grant proposals to fund the project.

• Perform other duties that contribute to the mission of University of Illinois Extension programming, as assigned.
• 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 as needed.
• Local, regional, statewide, and (limited) interstate travel 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.

• B.S. required in agricultural sciences, agricultural communications, agricultural engineering, environmental studies or sustainability, environmental engineering, or a related technical discipline. Bachelor degrees in other fields will be considered with work experience that demonstrates similar competencies. Experience organizing information and groups of stakeholders or volunteers.

• M.S. in agricultural sciences, agricultural communications, agricultural engineering, environmental studies or sustainability, environmental engineering, or a related technical discipline. Grant writing experience. Experience with Extension programs.

• Familiarity with agricultural stakeholders in the state. Knowledge of Agriculture partners, institutions and federal and state best management practices. Excellent written and oral communications skills, including demonstrated webinar skills. Strong interpersonal skills and strong data management/spreadsheet skills. Ability to prioritize a heavy and varied workload, delivery results on a timeline, and provide regular reports of activities/achievements, as requested.