Extension Instructor or Open Rank Extension Educator Food, Nutrition, and Health (Hitchcock County)

Extension Instructor or Open Rank Extension Educator

Food, Nutrition, and Health (Hitchcock County)

University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Do you have the drive to help us positively impact the health of all Nebraskans? Can you be a strong regional expert and develop focused, comprehensive learning programs that help create environments and experiences for individuals and families, communities and partner organizations, and health and food industry professionals? Nebraska Extension is an organization that values individuals who excel, adapt easily, exhibit a passion for helping others, and are excellent communicators. As a member of the Nebraska Extension team, you will collaborate with research and extension faculty who are leaders in their field. You will work with high-performing teams to create and deliver world-class, innovative learning experiences that empower Nebraskans to improve their lives around critical issues.

Nebraska Extension has an excellent opportunity for a full-time faculty position located in Trenton, NE. This position’s primary responsibility is to develop and deliver educational programs and resources within the geographic accountability region of Chase, Hayes, Frontier, Furnas, Dundy, Hitchcock,  and Red Willow Counties.

We want self-directed individuals who can work in a flexible environment. The focus of this position will be food, nutrition, and health. The successful candidate will teach and coordinate food, nutrition, and health programs regionally for 1) individual behavior patterns and environments that reduce obesity and chronic disease and improve human well-being and 2) a safe and diverse food supply with choices/access for people focused on health.

This twelve-month, non-tenure track position carries the title of open rank extension educator or extension instructor, depending on the candidate’s level of education. Those possessing a graduate-level degree in the requested area of instruction will be considered for an educator position, a full-time, promotable, non-tenure track appointment. Those in possession of an undergraduate degree in the requested area of instruction will be considered for an instructor position, a full-time, non-promotable, non-tenure track appointment that will be renewed annually for a maximum of five years in the appointment. If hired as an instructor, the incumbent will be expected to make satisfactory progress toward and complete a master’s degree within the initial five-year appointment period. As part of the Nebraska benefits package, UNL offers tuition remission for full-time employees, up to 15 credit hours per year. Once the master’s degree is earned within that period, the position will advance to an assistant extension educator appointment.

We invite you to learn more about this role and Nebraska Extension using the following links: Our Strategic Direction | Nebraska Extension (unl.edu) and Nebraska Extension – Food, Nutrition and Health – YouTube.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in nutrition and health sciences, exercise and health sciences, dietetics, nutrition education, public health, or a closely related field (extension instructor) OR master’s degree in nutrition and health sciences, exercise and health sciences, dietetics, nutrition education, public health, or a closely related field (extension educator). If hired as an instructor, the incumbent will be expected to make satisfactory progress toward and complete a master’s degree within the initial five-year appointment period.
• Successful experience teaching in a formal or non-formal setting.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate (i.e., publications, presentations, web, and social media).

Preferred Qualifications

• Registered Dietitian (RD), Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), or Community Health Education Specialist.
• At least one (1) year of experience in nutrition or a health-related field.
• Outstanding leadership skills as demonstrated by roles in college, career, and/or community activities.
• Understanding of different ethnic and socioeconomic audiences and a commitment to developing and delivering both inclusive and targeted programming.
• Successful experience in developing financial support for educational programs, including grant writing, fund generation, contracting, and/or cost recovery efforts.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage multiple priorities and programs.
• Ability to speak language(s) other than English; Spanish preferred.

Recognizing that diversity enhances creativity, innovation, impact, and a sense of belonging, the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR) and the Nebraska Extension are committed to creating learning, research, Extension programming, and work environments that are inclusive of all forms of diversity. Consistent with the University’s N2025 Strategic Plan, we see every person and every interaction as important to our collective well-being and our ability to deliver on our mission.

This position is not eligible for employment-based permanent residency sponsorship. UNL may be able to sponsor temporary work authorization (e.g., H-1B) for the successful candidate.

Application Process

Review of applications will begin November 4, 2024 and continue until the position is filled or the search is closed. To view details of the position and create an application, go to https://employment.unl.edu, requisition F_240059. Click “Apply for this Job” and complete the faculty information form. Attach 1) a letter of interest that describes your qualifications for the job and anticipated contributions; 2) your curriculum vitae or resume; and 3) contact information for three professional references. In addition, within the application, please complete the required supplemental question(s), one specifically describing your experience working in diverse teams or groups and your anticipated contributions to creating inclusive environments in which every person and every interaction matters. See https://ianr.unl.edu/tips-writing-about-commitment-to-deib for guidance in writing this statement.

As an EO/AA employer, the University of Nebraska considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation. See https://www.unl.edu/equity/notice-nondiscrimination.