Visiting Extension Outreach Associate, Agriculture and Agribusiness (Horticulture)

OUR COMMITMENT TO EMPLOYEES

We will invest in our employees,
our most important resource, by providing professional development and training
that enables you to learn and grow to your full potential. We will strive to
provide a healthy work-life balance for all our employees, regardless of role.
Together, we will maintain a culture that promotes inclusivity, teamwork, and
an environment that challenges and rewards our employees.

JOB PURPOSE
The Visiting Extension Outreach
Associate, Agriculture and Agribusiness (Horticulture), serves as a full-time
12-month academic professional and has the primary responsibility for program and partner development,
delivery, evaluation, curriculum development and designing horticulture Master
Gardner programs supporting the mission of the University of Illinois
Extension.

• Bachelor's degree in education, agriculture, agriculture sciences, horticulture or a related field. Bachelor degrees in other fields will be considered with work experience that demonstrates similar competencies. Candidates with a Bachelor's degree in progress may be
  considered for interviews, but degree must be completed by hire date.
• Experience organizing information and groups of stakeholders or volunteers.
• Experience with project/curriculum development in a professional or educational setting.

• Background in agriculture programming.
• Experience with Extension programs.
• Valid driver's license.

SPECIFIC
JOB INFORMATION:
One full-time position is available.
Location: Urbana-Champaign
Campus. In state hybrid remote work arrangements are available.
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.

EXAMPLE OF THE WORK

• Develop Design training and curriculum materials for University
  colleagues to be used with a wide audience including Master Gardener
  volunteers, homeowners, and
  consumers across the state.

Knowledge of topics in Extension's agriculture, horticulture Education Program. Excellent communications skills, including outreach to varied audiences. Strong interpersonal and data management skills. Familiarity with Qualtrics. Highly organized with an ability to prioritize a varied workload, deliver results on a timeline, and provide regular reports of activities and achievements, as requested.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Planning and Delivery

• Deliver educational programs, trainings, and resources that support program deliverables. Facilitate communications, meetings, and outreach strategies that organize and assist groups and communities to address information needed for the agriculture and agribusiness program area.
• Monitor activities within the area which may affect need for information and programming on related topics.
• Conduct ongoing needs assessment and related activities to ensure that unit resources and programming are indeed meeting the needs of the local and regional audience.
• Develop and manage projects related to the work of Digital and print MG Products for those interested in horticulture and environmental stewardship.
• Develop and deliver presentations on topics related to Horticulture, Master Gardeners and curriculum training and development.
• Create and update a digital first reference source for MG Participants participating in Master Gardeners
• Use multiple communication, outreach, and engagement approaches to connect with individuals, groups, and communities to share resources and educational information on Extension resources related to Horticulture, Master Gardeners and Curriculum.
• Work with campus faculty, educators and others in the development and planning of trainings and events related to agriculture, horticulture, entomology, master gardeners, master naturalists, forestry, holistic agriculture systems and regenerative soil practices.
• Participate in and facilitate technical assistance networks. Lead trainings and organize continuing education for community-based professionals.
• Collaborate with faculty, staff and team members to promote effective use of technology and adult learning theory for program delivery.
• Collaborate and work internally and across units and departments on campus.
• Work to update the manual, curriculum for text and online training using pedagogy for inclusivity and technologies.
• Be familiar with horticulture or similar fields, design thinking and project management as it relates to instructional technology.

Research and Evaluation

• Contribute Evaluate the impact of program initiatives in a planned and statistically relevant fashion.
• Evaluate and document changes in clientele practices.
• Continually seek professional development opportunities to enhance competency in subject matter areas.
• Contribute to background research to support the development of educational materials.
• Use research and evaluation findings to create innovative materials and make changes to existing offerings to improve quality.
• Share principles of evidence-based best practice with peers.

Scholarship

• Establish professional relationships throughout the unit to further the reach of programming and ensure that the unit is meeting the needs of producers and agribusiness.
• Broaden Extension programming by partnering with Extension Specialists and/or faculty members as appropriate.
• Assist unit staff with gathering program participant demographic information to ensure compliance with civil rights reporting requirements.
• Comply with all reporting deadlines and requirements (e.g., plans-of-work, activity, and impact reporting, etc.).
• Continually seek professional development opportunities to enhance competency in subject matter areas.

Organizational Requirements

• Perform other duties that contribute to the mission of University of Illinois Extension programming, as assigned.
• Assist unit staff with gathering program participant demographic information to ensure compliance with civil rights reporting requirements.
• Local, regional, and statewide travel required.

Physical
Demands/Working Conditions
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 physical demands including 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.

Work Schedule, Travel, Or Other Job Expectations
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. Some work
will be required during evenings and/or weekends.

Appointment
Information
This position is not
eligible for any type of sponsorship for work authorization. This is a
temporary, full-time, benefits-eligible, non-tenured academic professional
position. This 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. The previously determined salary range
for this position was $58,000 to $70,000. We strive to provide a competitive
salary while taking into consideration internal equity, candidate experience
and qualifications, as well as budget constraints. The final salary offer will
be determined through a calculation involving these elements. It is not typical
for an individual to be offered a salary at the top of the full range for this
position.

Application
Procedures & Deadline Information

• Applications must be
  received by 6:00 pm (CST) on September 30, 2026. 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 Candice Anderson at mille116@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application
process, please contact 217-333-2137.

At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign - the state's flagship public university and one of the world's leading research institutions - every staff member helps shape what's next. Founded in 1867, Illinois is home to a vibrant community of 59,000 students from all 50 states and 129 countries, supported by 15 colleges and instructional units, more than 20 research institutes, and one of the most comprehensive student service ecosystems in the nation. Whether you're empowering first-generation students, fueling breakthrough innovation, or strengthening communities across Illinois and beyond, your work here has a far-reaching and deeply meaningful impact. The university offers a highly competitive benefits package designed to support your well-being, growth, and financial security. Join a top 10 public university that has launched over 330 startups and continues to redefine excellence - where the Illinois Value Proposition ensures that your contributions are recognized, your potential is nurtured, and your career can thrive.

Champaign-Urbana

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

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. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodation portal, or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885, option #1, or accessibility@illinois.edu.

Requisition ID: 1037898

Job Category: Off-Campus

Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu