EXTENSION EDUCATOR
LEADERSHIP AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
Position Announcement
Title:
Extension Educator
Program Area:
Leadership and Civic Engagement (LCE)
Center:
Community Vitality
Office Location:
Extension Regional Office- Morris or Moorhead, MN
Application Review Begins:
August 18, 2014. Open until filled.
ABOUT EXTENSION
The University of Minnesota Extension is a major outreach arm of the University of Minnesota,
a land grant institution with a mission to serve the public through applied research and
education. Extension’s mission is: Making a difference by connecting community needs and
University resources to address critical issues in Minnesota.
As one of four centers, the Extension Center for Community Vitality makes a difference by
engaging Minnesotans to strengthen the social, civic, economic and technological capacity of
their communities through the faculty and staff in its two program areas: Leadership and Civic
Engagement (LCE) and Community Economics (CE). The Center is led by the Associate Dean for
Community Vitality and Public Engagement. LCE programs and applied research help
communities strengthen social capital, develop and strengthen capacity for local leadership,
civic engagement and productive public discussion, collaboration and decision making related
to the public good. CE programs and applied research help communities retain and expand local
business, know and grow the retail sector, make informed public finance decision and develop
successful tourism opportunities.
LOCATION OF POSITION
This Leadership and Civic Engagement Extension Educator will be based in either the Morris or
the Moorhead Regional Extension office and will primarily serve a region of 11 or more counties
in west central Minnesota (which also has a Community Economics educator assigned to it).
The educator also serves as a member of a statewide program team that serves other regions
and the entire state of Minnesota. Some clerical, technology and other support will be provided
by support staff in the regional Extension office, under the supervision of the office’s Regional
Director. The educator will be one of several in the regional office representing different
Extension program areas, and will be expected to develop and maintain working relationships
with these and other staff at that location.
Morris is a community in Stevens County, Minnesota, United States and is the county seat. Its
population was 5,286 in the 2010 Census. The city is home to the University of MinnesotaMorris campus which boasts approximately 1900 students was ranked as a "Top 10 Public
Liberal Arts College" by U.S. News and World Report and one of "America's Top Colleges" by
Forbes.[9]. (www.wikipedia.org). Morris is also the location of the University of Minnesota
Regional Office and the West Central Research and Outreach Center, a division of the University
of Minnesota’s College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resources Sciences. Morris is located
about 110 miles south of the Fargo, ND-Moorhead, MN area, 60 miles east of Sauk Centre, and
about 155 miles northwest of the Minneapolis/St. Paul area.
Moorhead is a city in Clay County, Minnesota, United States, and the largest city in northwest
Minnesota. The population was 38,065 at the 2010 Census. It is the county seat. Moorhead is
bordered on the west by the Red River of the North and city of Fargo, North Dakota. Together
with West Fargo, North Dakota, the communities comprise the core of the Fargo–Moorhead
metropolitan area, which has a 2010 population of around 208,777. The city has five major
institutions of higher learning and is located in the Red River Valley. It is located about 140
miles northwest of Brainerd, 60 miles north of Fergus Falls, and about 235 miles northwest of
the Minneapolis/St. Paul area.
ABOUT THIS POSITION
Extension educators meet program area outcome and impact goals through education,
outreach, applied scholarship and by leveraging University of Minnesota resources for and with
communities. LCE educators use applied research and research-informed program strategies
and information to help communities build and enhance their leadership capacities and
productively engage others to make informed decisions and take collective actions to
effectively address public issues.
As a scholar-practitioner, the educator is responsible for program development, delivery and
evaluation; attention to diversity; use of scholarly/scientific research; contracting and
establishing effective partnerships; utilizing technology and continuing their professional
development. The educator recruits organizations to sponsor local programming. These program
sponsors support programs by, for example, providing financial support, informing the program
design, participating in program activities and implementing community initiatives that result
from programming. For information about any of the Extension programs and initiatives
mentioned above, go to www.extension.umn.edu/community/
The educator reports to the Program Leader for Leadership and Civic Engagement (LCE) and will
collaborate with other educator colleagues and Extension’s local Regional Director. The
Program Leader will provide coaching in performance of her/his role; provide performance
evaluation and direct personnel actions.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS
Within the context of meeting Extension, Community Vitality, Leadership and Civic Engagement
missions and alignment with LCE program frameworks and team priorities, the LCE Educator:
Education:
 Designs, delivers, markets and evaluates educational and developmental programs based in
scholarly/scientific theory and research appropriate for the adult learner.
 Designs, adapts and delivers programs that address local and/or regional needs, including
those for new, diverse and historically underserved audiences.
 Uses technology to communicate, locate information, design and deliver, evaluate, and
report programs and their outcomes and impacts.
 Ensures that Extension programs, facilities and committees are accessible to new, diverse
and historically underserved audiences.
 Assumes program leadership, education and management roles as designated and
appropriate.
Scholarship:
 Uses and conducts scholarly/scientific research in the leadership and civic engagement area
of expertise as a scholar practitioner.
 Continues professional development in scholarship/research and program development,
and delivery via conferences, additional graduate work, self-directed study, and other
appropriate means of maintaining a high level of expertise.
Outreach:
 Develops and maintains effective local, regional, university and state partnerships that
further the development and delivery of Extension educational programs.
 Fosters and contributes to a positive work climate and effective teamwork and
collaboration with colleagues, advisory groups, audiences and partnerships.
 Represents Extension through service on county, community, regional and/or professional
boards. This will also include service to civic groups, joint Extension-agency project
committees and other committees and task forces. All of these opportunities are expected
to be congruent with area of expertise and professional goals.
Staff Development and Administrative Needs:
 Assumes program support functions as needed such as contract and/or fiscal management,
data-management, public relations and marketing with center leaders and Regional
Directors.
 Secures funds and resources to support educational programs through fee for service, third
party reimbursement, grants, and other means as outlined in the Leadership and Civic
Engagement program business plans.
 Actively participates in staff development and program team activities within the LCE
program area, the Center for Community Vitality and Extension.
 Collaborates with the Program Leader to establish, evaluate and report on annual work
goals, activities, impacts and outcomes that align with program area priorities and
demonstrate progress on criteria associated with promotion in Extension academic rank.
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Participate and succeed in progress regarding your professional performance including the
systems of annual performance review, professional plan of work and promotion.
Make contributions to the six promotion in Extension academic rank criteria, program
leadership, extension teaching, scholarship, engagement, program management and
service.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
 Master’s degree at time of appointment. Formal education should include significant
coursework in leadership development or studies (personal and/or community);
educational, counseling or clinical psychology; and/or in public or civic engagement,
community studies, sociology, communication, adult learning or a closely related field.
Experience:
 At least two years of related professional experience post-bachelor’s degree Relevant
settings for this experience might come from higher education; adult education;
Extension; state/regional/local government or development agencies; community or
interest-based organizations and/or foundations.
 Work experience and/or academic background in leadership education, civic
engagement, community development, facilitation, program leadership or related area.
 Professional experience in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships
with colleagues, partners and stakeholders
Skills/Abilities:
 Skills in and ability to apply research to educational program design, delivery and
evaluation
 Written and oral communication skills in English
 Group facilitation and individual coaching skills with adult learners
 Knowledge, skills and the ability to engage in research sponsored by an academic unit
and informed scholars in related fields
 Evidence of ability to use technology for communication, information gathering,
program delivery and reporting
 Ability to implement and meet administrative responsibilities necessary for effective
project, budget, grants and program management and implementation
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
 Demonstrated success in working with individuals, organizations and communities,
especially in Greater Minnesota and with a variety of cultural, ethnic, language and/or
literacy backgrounds
 Experience in the development of curriculum or adult education materials, adult
pedagogy, popular education or similar areas in an adult, non-credit educational
environment.
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Knowledge and experience in the use of Web 2.0 and other Internet and educational
technology as related to leadership development and civic engagement to achieve
educational goals and community impacts.
Training and certification in the use of various instruments used in the field of
leadership development and related fields.
Experience in applying research to community problems.
Commitment to professional development
Fluency at a basic, intermediate or advanced level in a language other than English.
BENEFITS/APPOINTMENT
 The Extension Educator position has an annual University academic professional
appointment and Extension academic rank. Rank is assigned at hire contingent on
education and professional experience and accomplishments.
 The appointment is reviewed for renewal annually, with continuation dependent on
performance, results, availability of funds, and program needs.
 The position carries Extension academic rank. Successful advancement in rank is
expected and contingent on accomplishments as an Extension Educator as governed by
Extension’s promotion system policies and procedures.
 University of Minnesota appointment and benefits, including health and life insurance.
Benefits are listed on the University of Minnesota Human Resources web page:
www.umn.edu/ohr/eb.
 Reimbursement for travel and subsistence is available in accordance with University
policy. Successful applicant must provide their own means of transportation, maintain
their driver’s license and carry legally required vehicle insurance.
 Successful applicant must provide their own cell phone.
 Salary commensurate with education and experience.
TO APPLY
Please apply online via the Employment System at
https://employment.umn.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind=121638
Please attach:
 Vitae
 Cover letter
 Transcripts for all college work (unofficial transcripts are acceptable at the application
stage). To submit transcripts online, attach them to the "additional document" section of
the "Optional Documents".
 Names and contact information for three professional references. To submit list of
professional references online, attach them to the "references" section of the "Required
Documents".
Your unofficial transcripts cannot be submitted online send them to the address below. If you
have questions about applying online please contact:
Naaz Babvani, Extension Human Resources 260 Coffey Hall, 1420 Eckles Avenue, University of
Minnesota St. Paul, MN 55108 Telephone: 612-624-3717 Fax: 612-624-7749
babva001@umn.edu
APPLICATION REVIEW
The review of applications begins on August 18, 2014. Position will remain open until filled.
To check the status of your application, log-in to the University of Minnesota employment
website at https://employment.umn.edu/. To log-in, you will need the user name and password
you create when you apply for the position.
Any offer of employment is contingent on the successful completion of a background check.
The University of Minnesota Extension is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to its
programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age,
marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status or sexual orientation.