Extension Educator, Agriculture and Agribusiness (Horticulture)
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Mattoon, IL, United States
The Extension Educator serves as a regular, full‑time, 12‑month academic professional whose primary responsibility is to develop, deliver, and evaluate educational programs supporting the mission of the University of Illinois Extension. This position focuses on the Agriculture and Agribusiness area, concentrating programmatically in horticulture and related areas.
Location: Unit 19 – Coles, Cumberland, Douglas, Moultrie, and Shelby Counties. (Position will be housed in either Coles, Moultrie‑Douglas, or Shelby County. Additional positions may be available in other locations.)
Duties and Responsibilities
Develop, deliver, and evaluate high‑impact educational programs in horticulture, including plant protection and urban agriculture.
Provide program leadership, teach in the field of expertise, and maintain competencies for developing and delivering educational programming.
Assess client needs through systematic analysis and collaboration with community organizations.
Develop innovative curricula that address local needs and align with broader state and national initiatives.
Deliver programs using diverse mechanisms, teaming with Extension employees and volunteers.
Guide program expansion and quality processes by training employees and volunteers.
Support voluntary educational delivery systems with subject matter expertise.
Evaluate program impact statistically and in both short‑term and long‑term outcomes.
Communicate with clients through contemporary technologies (e.g., social media, e‑learning).
Comply with all reporting deadlines and requirements.
Market Extension interests to external partners and stakeholders.
Compete for internal and external resources to enhance program development.
Cooperate with the County Director to meet budget and staffing goals.
Develop professional collaborations with county leaders, other educators, and council members.
Participate in county, program, and statewide responsibilities as approved.
Serve as an effective team member and volunteer for leadership roles.
Lead unit team under guidance of County Director.
Assist in other duties contributing to the mission of Extension programming.
Scholarship and Professional Development
Establish collaborations that link academic research and Extension programming.
Be an active member of professional societies.
Seek professional development to enhance subject matter competency.
Use research findings to improve and innovate programs.
Share evidence‑based best practices with peers.
Other Information
Assist with demographic data collection for civil rights reporting.
Travel locally, regionally, and limited statewide; personal transportation required.
Physical Demands
The role requires traveling and work in office and community settings, including exposure to varying weather, noise, and allergens. Responsibilities include moving items up to 40 pounds, and occasional mental and physical demands associated with travel and fieldwork.
Administrative and Programmatic Relationship
Administratively reports to the County Director.
Programmatically responsible to Program Leader(s) for national and state priority alignment.
Minimum Qualifications
Master’s degree in horticulture, ornamental horticulture, urban agriculture, entomology, plant pathology, weed science, or related field. Other master’s degrees considered with relevant experience.
Knowledge and experience in program planning, facilitation, promotion, and resource development.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with University of Illinois Extension.
Experience in urban agriculture.
Informal and formal teaching experience.
Volunteer management experience, including recruitment and support.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Ability to work with diverse cultural groups and adult learners.
Strong communication skills; understanding of urban issues and populations.
Organizational and management skills for educational activities.
Ability to build and maintain networks.
Appointment and Benefits
The position is full‑time, 12‑month academic professional, benefits‑eligible. Sponsorship for work authorization not available. Salary range $59,000–$82,000. Benefits include Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Retirement Plan, Paid Time Off, and Tuition Waivers for employees and dependents.
Equal Opportunity and Disability Accommodations
The University of Illinois System is an equal‑opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status. Applications with disabilities are encouraged and may request reasonable accommodations. The University complies with all state and federal employment mandates.
Application Deadline
Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (CST) on May 14, 2026. Submit a resume, cover letter, and three professional references. For questions, contact Doug Harlan at dharlan@illinois.edu or 217‑333‑2137.
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Location: Unit 19 – Coles, Cumberland, Douglas, Moultrie, and Shelby Counties. (Position will be housed in either Coles, Moultrie‑Douglas, or Shelby County. Additional positions may be available in other locations.)
Duties and Responsibilities
Develop, deliver, and evaluate high‑impact educational programs in horticulture, including plant protection and urban agriculture.
Provide program leadership, teach in the field of expertise, and maintain competencies for developing and delivering educational programming.
Assess client needs through systematic analysis and collaboration with community organizations.
Develop innovative curricula that address local needs and align with broader state and national initiatives.
Deliver programs using diverse mechanisms, teaming with Extension employees and volunteers.
Guide program expansion and quality processes by training employees and volunteers.
Support voluntary educational delivery systems with subject matter expertise.
Evaluate program impact statistically and in both short‑term and long‑term outcomes.
Communicate with clients through contemporary technologies (e.g., social media, e‑learning).
Comply with all reporting deadlines and requirements.
Market Extension interests to external partners and stakeholders.
Compete for internal and external resources to enhance program development.
Cooperate with the County Director to meet budget and staffing goals.
Develop professional collaborations with county leaders, other educators, and council members.
Participate in county, program, and statewide responsibilities as approved.
Serve as an effective team member and volunteer for leadership roles.
Lead unit team under guidance of County Director.
Assist in other duties contributing to the mission of Extension programming.
Scholarship and Professional Development
Establish collaborations that link academic research and Extension programming.
Be an active member of professional societies.
Seek professional development to enhance subject matter competency.
Use research findings to improve and innovate programs.
Share evidence‑based best practices with peers.
Other Information
Assist with demographic data collection for civil rights reporting.
Travel locally, regionally, and limited statewide; personal transportation required.
Physical Demands
The role requires traveling and work in office and community settings, including exposure to varying weather, noise, and allergens. Responsibilities include moving items up to 40 pounds, and occasional mental and physical demands associated with travel and fieldwork.
Administrative and Programmatic Relationship
Administratively reports to the County Director.
Programmatically responsible to Program Leader(s) for national and state priority alignment.
Minimum Qualifications
Master’s degree in horticulture, ornamental horticulture, urban agriculture, entomology, plant pathology, weed science, or related field. Other master’s degrees considered with relevant experience.
Knowledge and experience in program planning, facilitation, promotion, and resource development.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with University of Illinois Extension.
Experience in urban agriculture.
Informal and formal teaching experience.
Volunteer management experience, including recruitment and support.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Ability to work with diverse cultural groups and adult learners.
Strong communication skills; understanding of urban issues and populations.
Organizational and management skills for educational activities.
Ability to build and maintain networks.
Appointment and Benefits
The position is full‑time, 12‑month academic professional, benefits‑eligible. Sponsorship for work authorization not available. Salary range $59,000–$82,000. Benefits include Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Retirement Plan, Paid Time Off, and Tuition Waivers for employees and dependents.
Equal Opportunity and Disability Accommodations
The University of Illinois System is an equal‑opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status. Applications with disabilities are encouraged and may request reasonable accommodations. The University complies with all state and federal employment mandates.
Application Deadline
Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (CST) on May 14, 2026. Submit a resume, cover letter, and three professional references. For questions, contact Doug Harlan at dharlan@illinois.edu or 217‑333‑2137.
#J-18808-Ljbffr