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Extension Instructor or Open Rank Extension Educator - Health and Wellbeing (Hamilton County)

University of Nebraska Lincoln

Details

Posted:

December 19, 2025

Location:

Lincoln, Nebraska

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Requisition Number: F_250090

Department: NE Ext Engagement Zone 7-12356

Description of Work:

OVERVIEW

This position is based in Aurora, NE, with a geographic accountability region of Hamilton, Merrick, Clay, Nuckolls, Thayer, and Fillmore Counties. The Health & Wellbeing extension professional provides regional expertise and develops focused, comprehensive learning programs that strengthen health, support food science and safety, improve food and nutrition security, and enhance long-term wellbeing across the lifespan.

The educator works with individuals, families, youth, community organizations, and partner agencies to deliver evidence-based education and to support policy, systems, and environmental approaches that improve health outcomes. Programming addresses priority health and wellbeing issues facing Nebraska communities, including chronic disease prevention, nutrition and physical activity, food safety, food access, and community health supports.

Nebraska faces ongoing challenges related to obesity, chronic disease, foodborne illness, and disparities in health and food access. Addressing these complex and interconnected issues requires coordinated education, strong partnerships, and sustained community engagement. The Health & Wellbeing extension professional contributes to the integrated land-grant mission of IANR by translating research into practice, supporting local and regional partnerships, and creating learning opportunities that empower Nebraskans to make informed decisions and build healthier, safer, and more resilient communities.

Nebraska Extension is an organization that values excellence. As a member of Nebraska Extension, the educator is expected to deliver high-quality, research-based programs, contribute to collaborative teams, and demonstrate measurable impact through evaluation and reporting.

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.

PROGRAMMATIC RESPONSIBILITIES (approximately 80%):

Exemplifies positive and professional behavior and attitude towards colleagues, clients, and partner organizations.
Develops and delivers proactive, innovative, and engaging educational programs and products, using teaching methods and strategies that have significant reach, engagement, and impact in your county, accountability region, and, as appropriate, statewide and nationally.
Establishes and sustains a strong local and regional clientele base and programming portfolio that is documented and shared with colleagues.
Employs innovative strategies and technologies to design, develop, implement, and assess programs for a strong Extension education program/engagement at the county, accountability region, and statewide levels.
Engages and teaches in a collaborative learning and problem-solving environment, working with assistants, educators, and specialists to encourage learners to adopt research-based decision-making information.
Deliberately engages and works closely with one or more Extension specialists to fulfill your Extension responsibilities.
Collaborates with specialists and research faculty to conduct applied and validation research (e.g., health and wellbeing, and community) that can be amplified via multiple engagement platforms.
Shows robust contributions to multidisciplinary team settings with Extension professionals and other internal and external partners to translate and convey the latest research-based information.
Engages local, regional, and statewide partners to identify and address high-priority issues where Extension is particularly well positioned to contribute.
Fosters a culture of collaboration with local, regional and statewide leaders that nurtures and strengthens positive relationships among the University, its partners, and the people we serve.
Employs entrepreneurial practices to obtain funding and partnerships, enhancing Extension's program reach and impact.
Creates ongoing programming revenue that supports the viability of individuals, teams, units, and the System.
Leads and contributes value to high-performing Extension programming teams.
Engages in personal and professional development opportunities that enhance knowledge, skills, and competencies relevant to your role.
Supports youth development programs by contributing to areas related to your specific assignment.
Conducts need assessments, identifies priorities, develops various program and engagement platforms to connect with a variety of audiences, measure program impact, and report the results in your annual report as well as to Extension boards, County Commissioners and Supervisors, State Senators, key stakeholders, at professional meetings, and in professional and Extension publications when appropriate.
- Educators will collaborate with lead educators, Extension specialists, Extension advisory committees, and local stakeholders within their accountability region to assess needs and offer access to engagement opportunities through various platforms (e.g., focus groups, surveys, stakeholder meetings, etc.).
- Participates in teams comprised of assistants, educators, specialists, other staff or faculty, industry, and community leaders. These teams focus on current or future needs or strengths and strategize in program areas where you contribute.
Fosters a culture of collaboration with local leaders and accountability in the region that nurtures and builds positive relationships among the University, its partners, and the communities we serve.
Cultivates open and welcoming learning environments.
Completes PEARS data entry and reporting requirements.
Fulfills annual IANR reporting requirements, including an individual impact report.

ORGANIZATIONAL CITIZENSHIP/LEAD EDUCATOR ROLE (approximagely 20%):

Serves in, contributes to, or supports the specific Lead Educator roles as described in the Roles and Responsibilities of the Lead Educator document as determined in partnership with the supervisor(s).
Coordinates with Engagement Zone Coordinator(s) and other Extension professionals locally and in accountability region to develop a robust Nebraska Extension presence by
- Cooperating with local faculty and staff in a team environment to promote Extension's educational opportunities and impact in the host county.
- Cultivating a culture of collaboration with local leaders and community members that builds positive relationships between the University and the community.
- Supporting engagement of advisory or policy groups such as the Extension Board, Ag Society, or County Commissioners/Board of Supervisors.
Understands and adheres to Equal Employment Opportunity compliance efforts.
Accepts committee assignments, reporting responsibilities, and other special ad hoc assignments as requested at the administrative unit, college/division, institute, and/or university level.

Some travel is required. Must meet driver standards according to UNL policy and have a valid driver's license.

Recognizing that collaboration and participation in teams enhances creativity, innovation, impact, and a sense of belonging, the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR) and Nebraska Extension are committed to creating learning, research, and Extension programming environments where the unique contributions of each individual are acknowledged and valued. Consistent with the University's N2025 Strategic Plan, we see every person and every interaction as important to our collective wellbeing 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.

The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its programs, activities, or employment. See https://equity.unl.edu/notice-nondiscrimination/.

Minimum Required Qualifications:

Master's degree in nutrition and health sciences, exercise and health sciences, dietetics, nutrition education, public health, or a closely related field (extension educator) OR bachelor's degree in nutrition and health sciences, exercise and health sciences, dietetics, nutrition education, public health, or a closely related field (extension instructor). If hired as an instructor, the incumbent will be expected to make satisfactory progress towards 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:

Community Health Education Specialist, Master of Public Health (MPH), Registered Nurse (RN), or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN).
At least one 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 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) in addition to English; Spanish preferred.

Job Type: 12 Month (Faculty Only)

Internal Number: 98713

About University of Nebraska Lincoln

With over 25,000 students, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is a diverse educational insitution with international stature. The intellectual center for the state of Nebraska and beyond, we are a land-grant, top tier national research-extensive insitution. Part of the Big Ten conference, Big Ten Academic Alliance, our mission includes growing relationships and resources that enable the University of Nebraska to change lives.

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Extension Instructor or Open Rank Extension Educator - Health and Wellbeing (Hamilton County)

University of Nebraska Lincoln

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