Extension Educator

Job Description Summary

LOCATION: This office is located in Elkton, Maryland, and provides programming to the Upper Eastern Shore, including Cecil, Queen Anne’s, Kent, and Caroline Counties.

Organization's Summary Statement:
University of Maryland Extension (UME) seeks candidates for a 12-month tenure-track Extension Educator in the Family & Consumer Sciences (FCS) program. The FCS program promotes healthy and economically prosperous Maryland residents at every stage of life through education, research, and outreach programs. The Extension Educator will design, teach, implement, and evaluate interdisciplinary educational programs using research-based information for youth and adult audiences. FCS Programs will focus on improving the health and economic prosperity of residents and communities in Maryland. Specifically, this position will provide leadership and delivery of educational programming related to nutrition education, chronic disease prevention and management, and other areas of FCS. The FCS program includes physical activity, healthy food preparation, consumer food safety and preservation, financial wellness, health literacy, mental health, and other relevant topics. This position will also create and facilitate community partnerships with local and state agencies, nonprofit organizations, school systems, healthcare providers, businesses, and other entities that support extension programs and policies, as well as systems and environmental approaches. The position will conduct applied research and publish results that support the educational program. In carrying out these duties, the educator is responsible to the FCS Program Leader for programmatic leadership. For administrative matters, the individual is responsible to their respective Area or County Extension Director. The Extension Educator will be a faculty member on track for tenure and promotion to a higher rank in accordance with University policy and UME tenure guidelines within a defined timeframe.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Plan, implement and evaluate interdisciplinary educational programs designed to meet the community residents' nutrition and health needs in Cecil, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Caroline Counties. Conduct and analyze community needs assessment to develop innovative educational programs grounded in research and science.
● Establish subject matter expertise in nutrition, chronic disease prevention, and management, and lead appropriate applied research and projects in that area.
● Provide leadership in developing interdisciplinary educational programs that are culturally responsive and appropriate for broad audiences. Education and outreach programs may include workshops, seminars, training, webinars, and other formats that are virtual, in-person, or blended.
• Collaborate with extension team in the Cluster and relevant FCS Action Teams to develop health and well-being education programs meeting priority needs of families and communities across the Cluster and state.
• Engage clientele in the education process using learner-centered strategies as well as public health approaches that result in positive behavioral changes.
• Develop partnerships and collaborations with colleagues, campus specialists, external organizations, and government agencies at the county, cluster, and state levels.
• Establish strong local community partnerships, such as the Local Health Improvement Coalition, as well as organizations, agencies, and groups to develop education and outreach opportunities, as well as policy, systems, and environmental strategies for target populations and communities.
• Collect program evaluation and report outputs and impacts utilizing evaluation strategies as outlined by the FCS and Action Teams.
• Develop grant-funded projects, including securing extramural funding, to create, enhance, and expand educational programs
• Develop, synthesize, and disseminate knowledge related to program priorities through scholarly efforts, including peer-reviewed publications, professional presentations, refereed journal articles, etc.
• Actively participate in professional services such as relevant committees, boards, and associations at local, state, University, and national levels.
• Perform teaching, scholarship, and service requirements of a faculty member of the University of Maryland. This is a tenure-track position requiring documented accomplishments in the areas of research, teaching, and service.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
● Nature of the Position: This position frequently presents information through vocal and written communication to individuals of various ages, socio-economic, and educational backgrounds.
● Physical Demands: A routine part of this position's responsibilities would be to transport materials to and from teaching and event locations, including loading and unloading the vehicle. The employee will frequently lift and/or move items weighing up to 20 pounds. Set-up and teardown of displays, tables, and chairs would be necessary at many teaching sites.
● Environmental: Team driven, office environment of professional character, competence, and collaboration. Deadline driven in terms of program planning and reporting. This position may require the employee to work in community or school environments, as well as outdoors at certain times of the year, such as county fairs.
● Visual Acuity: Visual acuity is required for preparing and analyzing written or computer data and presentations.


Preferences:
QUALIFICATIONS:
Required
• Master's degree in nutrition, community nutrition, public health, environmental health, health education, family & consumer sciences (FCS), or a closely related field. Evidence of ability and commitment to engage broad clientele.
• Demonstrated evidence of excellent teaching abilities and communication skills.
• Demonstrated leadership and management abilities with evidence of being able to work well with colleagues, volunteers, and broad clientele.
• Demonstrated ability to develop successful community collaborations and partnerships.
• Strong computer skills and experience with Google Mail system, Microsoft Office, Videoconferencing, and other software to support program development, management, delivery, and evaluation.
• Demonstrated ability to document program impacts and produce scholarly publications based on programming.
• Personal transportation and a valid driver's license are required. Must be willing to travel throughout the cluster as well as the state of Maryland as needed.
• Flexible work schedule required for delivering evening and weekend educational programs and activities as determined by clientele availability and needs.
• This position is subject to a Criminal History Record Check and University of Maryland Background check. Employment is contingent upon successful completion and clearance of the Criminal History Record Check.

Preferred
• Ph.D. preferred in a relevant field of study.
• Accreditation as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) with the Commission on Dietetic Registration and / or Licensure as a Dietitian Nutritionist (LDN) with the State of Maryland.
• Extension or similar work experience in formal or non-formal community education.
• Ability and experience in using social media and marketing strategies to engage clientele.
• Demonstrated ability in acquiring grants and private funding to enhance research and outreach programming.
• Preference will be given to individuals with experience working with broad audiences and all socioeconomic levels.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Candidate must be eligible to work in the United States at the time of hiring. The department will not provide sponsorship for work-visa requirements.

Licenses/ Certifications: N/A

Additional Job Details

Financial Disclosure Required

No

Department

AGNR-UME-Cecil

Worker Sub-Type

Faculty Regular

Salary Range

Master's Degree: $64, 763 - $78,763, Ph.D: $77,350 - $91,350

EEO Statement

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