Extension Specialist, Natural Resources, Environment, and Energy (Sustainable Energy)

University of Illinois Extension

WE TRANSFORM LIVES.
Everything we do is designed to improve the quality of life of the people in the state of Illinois, across the nation, and around the world. We discover, develop, translate, and disseminate knowledge to address societal concerns and train the next generation of experts and leaders in a way that empowers them to expand the boundaries of science to higher levels of understanding and influence.

Be a part of our story. Through learning partnerships that extend knowledge and change lives, University of Illinois Extension provides educational programs aimed at making life better, healthier, safer, and more profitable for individuals and their communities. Illinois Extension has operated continuously for more than 100 years connecting the citizens of Illinois to their land-grant university by providing educational programming around the state. University of Illinois Extension is based in the College of ACES and works with all colleges and units of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

The Sustainable Energy Specialist, Natural Resources, Environment, and Energy (NREE) serves as a regular, full-time, 12-month academic professional with primary responsibility for serving as a subject matter expert in sustainable energy issues largely focused on renewable energy, energy efficiency and safety, energy planning, policies and incentives. This includes leading the development and use of relevant outreach programs and materials as well as disseminating information gained from university faculty, research, and general learning to Extension Educators and others throughout University of Illinois Extension and beyond. This is a statewide position providing programmatic leadership for sustainable energy education and outreach programs within the NREE program area of University of Illinois Extension.

One full-time position is available.
Location: Urbana-Champaign Campus or negotiable Extension Unit location.
In state hybrid remote work arrangements are available.
(There is flexibility for this position to be housed in an office in one of the 27 Extension Units throughout Illinois instead of on campus in Urbana, IL. See Extension website at https://extension.illinois.edu/global/where-we-serve for details on office locations.)

This is a security-sensitive position. Comprehensive background checks, including but not limited to a criminal conviction information check, a CANTS check, and a review of the Registered Sex Offender list, will be conducted.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Program/Instructional Development, Implementation and Evaluation

• Assess the needs of communities and stakeholders across Illinois in a systematic and analytical manner to ensure effective allocation of resources and implementation.
• Develop innovative programming and instructional materials that address relevant energy issues.
• Collaborate with Extension faculty to translate research into energy outreach programming.
• Provide opportunities to integrate campus-based research and teaching into Extension.
• Identify and communicate new practices in community-based programming and train statewide Extension staff and other stakeholders and partners, as appropriate.
• Initiate educational delivery systems, including digital educational instruction formats, within relevant subject area expertise.
• Evaluate the effectiveness and impact of educational programs.
• Improve program impact and share results across the 27 Extension units and other appropriate stakeholders in support of their reporting, program development and program marketing

Organizational Leadership and Development

• Lead and implement key statewide sustainable energy outreach projects.
• Initiate and maintain relationships with key leaders and stakeholders across the state as well as other professionals working nationally in Extension energy programming.
• Allocate resources for key projects and oversee grant deliverables.
• Seek resources and funding to support sustainable energy programming.
• Provide training and technical assistance for statewide staff on programmatic needs and decisions.
• Participate on state and national task force and working groups.
• Contribute to the overall vision of NREE programming and sustainable energy applied research and outreach, as appropriate.

Research and Development

• Collect data that contributes to the research-based evidence of energy outreach programs.
• Write scientific and/or outreach publications that advance the field and represent the work of sustainable energy outreach.
• Pursue professional development opportunities to enhance competency in energy outreach programming.
• Conduct literature reviews to stay abreast of the latest research related to current and emerging sustainable energy issues.

Other Information

• Comply with all University of Illinois Extension Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity policies and guidelines in all aspects of Extension work; assist Unit staff with data collection for Affirmative Action, Gender, and Targeted reports.
• Perform other duties that contribute to University of Illinois Extension programming, as assigned.
• Local, regional, and statewide travel required; personal transportation required.

Additional Physical Demands
To perform the functions of this position, the employee will be required to perform work both within an office and outside in the communities that are served and must have the capability to travel from one location to the other in a timely fashion. Employee is responsible for securing personal transportation. A valid driver’s license is preferred. Some work will be required during evenings and/or weekends. When working, the employee may be exposed to a variety of environmental factors to include, but not limited to, hot or cold weather, exposure to noise and allergens, and uneven ground. In performing the functions of this position, the employee may be subjected to various mental and physical demands as well to include, but not limited to, independently traveling to and performing work at different locations, ability to move, transfer and/or transport items that may occasionally weigh up to forty (40) pounds and frequently weigh up to twenty (20) pounds, and twisting, pushing and pulling movements. More detailed information regarding the functions of this position (including the physical, mental, and environmental requirements of the position) may be obtained from Human Resources for the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) by contacting hr@aces.illinois.edu.

Administrative Relationship
The Extension Specialist is administratively responsible to the Assistant Dean and Program Leader, Natural Resources, Environment, and Energy.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

• Master’s degree in renewable energy and sustainability, natural resource planning, public policy and management, environmental studies or a related field from an accredited institution of higher education. Degrees in other related fields will be considered with work experience that demonstrates similar competencies. Candidates with a master’s degree in progress may be considered for interviews, but degree must be completed by hire date.

Experience:

• At least 3 years of relevant experience with program planning, design and delivering community-based educational programs.
• Experience of working with diverse audiences. Informal and/or formal teaching experience.
• Synchronous and asynchronous distance educational delivery skills and teaching experience.

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• PhD in related field.

Experience:

• Experience with land-grant University Extension.
• Experience working with Energy and sustainability outreach programming.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of best practices in developing community partnerships. Strong communication skills. Strong interpersonal skills and teamwork as well as the ability to work independently. Ability to work flexible hours and be self-directing. Ability to build and maintain diverse networks. Knowledge of best practices in implementing and communicating impact of community-based programs. Understanding of land-grant University Extension and demonstrated ability to work effectively with the Extension system.

Appointment Information
Sponsorship for work authorization is not available for this position. This position is a full-time, benefits-eligible, non-tenure academic professional position appointed on a 12-month service basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the closing date. The previously determined salary range for this position was $73,000 to $90,000. We strive to provide a competitive salary while taking into consideration internal equity, candidate experience and qualifications, as well as budget constraints. The final salary offer will be determined through a calculation involving these elements. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at the top of the full range for this position. Generous vacation and sick leave. State Universities Retirement System. Group health, dental, vision and life insurance.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information
Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (CST) on January 10, 2025. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. Please upload a resume, cover letter, and the names and contact information for three professional references. Resume dates submitted must be in month/year format and employment history, at a minimum, should include all work dating back to the completion of your undergraduate degree. Positions that were less than full-time/100% must be noted as being part-time. Transcripts may be requested at a later date. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered.

For further information about this specific position, please contact Christina Chopra at cchopra@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal, or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing accessibility@illinois.edu.

Requisition ID: 1028375
Job Category: Off-Campus
Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu