Extension Educator - Food, Families, and Communities Unit

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

• CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.

• CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.

• If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants.

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.

This position is funded for 1 year(s); continuation past 1 year(s) will be based on university need, performance, and/or availability of funding.

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POSITION SPECIFICS​

The College of Agricultural Sciences seeks an Extension Educator trained in community nutrition/health education and/or food science to join our nationally recognized Penn State Extension Food, Families, and Communities Unit. The position will actively work with Extension program teams to identify important human health and food safety issues, develop educational events and materials to support the learning objectives and utilize evaluations to measure program success. The position will deliver virtual programs statewide and in-person programs in Lebanon County. The position will also supervise part-time staff and volunteers who teach nutrition and food preservation programs on behalf of Extension.

While we seek disciplinary expertise in family and consumer science, especially nutrition education, competitive candidates are expected to have a general understanding of nutrition, diet, and human health issues related to food, food safety, and community education. The successful candidate will need to develop and/or participate in collaborations across multiple disciplines, departments, colleges, and institutions. The individual must work effectively in a team and with diverse populations and audiences. Team members are expected to work closely with university faculty and staff to develop and conduct applied research relevant to the target audiences’ needs.

All team members are expected to participate in developing a diverse external funding portfolio (e.g., grants, contracts, cost recovery, development) to support the team’s programs. The individual will be expected to develop original content to engage audiences through innovative educational methods such as online courses, videos, mobile apps, and electronic publications, in addition to traditional publications and in-person presentations. The individual in the position is expected to provide educational programming to improve human health and well-being to reduce the incidence and risk of chronic diseases and foodborne illnesses. As a result of educational programs, measurable improvements in health conditions or other indicators, such as an increased number of people who make healthier food choices, save money on food purchases, improve food resource management practices, increase improvements in medical screenings, and decrease the number of people who are affected by foodborne illnesses and chronic diseases will be critical outcomes. Success in this educational program will allow Pennsylvanians to have an improved health status, enhanced life skills needed for self-sufficiency, better health, and lower health care and medical costs.

The individual will be located in Lebanon County (Office location: 2120 Cornwall Rd #1, Lebanon, PA 17042).

Required Qualifications:

• Serv Safe Training Certification is required.
• Basic knowledge of and commitment to food and agriculture, and enjoy the challenge of working as a team member on a wide variety of educational efforts.
• Possess effective communication skills (verbal and written), teaching skills, interpersonal skills, the ability to build effective working relationships with colleagues and clientele, supervision skills, and work as an active team member.
• Very organized and able to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Able to carry equipment, educational materials, and supplies, with or without accommodation, and have the ability to travel.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Preference will be given to candidates with degree(s) in nutrition science with registered dietitian credentials, food science, health education/promotion with a certified health education specialty, family and consumer sciences or related disciplines, and those with related teaching experience in education.
• Experience or the ability to apply cultural/ethnic principles into Extension will be helpful.
• The ability to communicate in Spanish is a plus.
• Teaching, curriculum development, evaluation, supervision of program assistants, grant management, report writing, leadership development, and proficiency in computer software packages, such as Microsoft programs is desired.

MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

Master's Degree
3+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted
Required Certifications:
None

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

This position requires the following clearances in addition to applicable background checks: PA State Police Criminal Background Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance Form, and Federal (FBI) Fingerprint Criminal Background Check. This position requires that you operate a motor vehicle as a part of your job duties. A valid driver’s license and successful completion of a motor vehicle records check will be required in addition to standard background checks.Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of a staff employment Visa. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.

SALARY & BENEFITS

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $65,508.00 - $94,980.00.

Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.

Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.

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