Extension Specialist, Natural Resources, Environment, and Energy (Climate Resilience)

Duties & Responsibilities

• Program/Instructional Development, Implementation, and Evaluation
  • Assess the needs of communities and stakeholders across Illinois in a systematic and analytical manner to ensure effective allocation of resources and implementation.
  • Develop innovative programming and instructional materials that address relevant climate issues.
  • Collaborate with Extension faculty to translate research into climate outreach programming.
  • Provide opportunities to integrate campus-based research and teaching into Extension.
  • Identify and communicate new practices in community-based programming and train statewide Extension staff and other stakeholders and partners, as appropriate.
  • Initiate educational delivery systems, including digital educational instruction formats, within relevant subject area expertise.
  • Evaluate the effectiveness and impact of educational programs.
  • Improve program impact and share results across the 27 Extension units and other appropriate stakeholders in support of their reporting, program development and program marketing.
• Organizational Leadership and Development
  • Lead and implement key statewide climate outreach projects.
  • Initiate and maintain relationships with key leaders and stakeholders across the state as well as other professionals working nationally in Extension climate programming.
  • Allocate resources for key projects and oversee grant deliverables.
  • Seek resources and funding to support climate programming.
  • Provide training and technical assistance for statewide staff on programmatic needs and decisions.
  • Participate on state and national task force and working groups.
  • Contribute to the overall vision of NREE programming and climate applied research and outreach, as appropriate.
• Research and Development
  • Collect data that contribute to the research-based evidence of climate outreach programs.
  • Write scientific and/or outreach publications that advance the field and represent the work of climate outreach.
  • Pursue professional development opportunities to enhance competency in climate outreach programming.
  • Conduct literature reviews to stay abreast of the latest research related to current and emerging sustainable climate issues.
• Other Information •
  • 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.