Requisition Number: F_210198
Department: Cooperative Ext Division-0788
Description of Work:
OVERVIEW:
The Early Childhood Educator, focused on young children and their caregivers (e.g., parents, early childhood teachers), will contribute to the integrated (extension, research, and teaching) land-grant mission of the home unit and the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources as an effective scholar and citizen.
Nebraska Extension's Early Childhood team supports adults who play a role in young children's lives by providing educational programming and resources about early child development and early care and education. Adults play a significant role in setting the stage for young children's lifelong learning, discovery, and success. The Early Childhood team is committed to empowering these adults to support and provide effective learning experiences for Nebraska's young children. Such early learning experiences enhance children's readiness (physical, cognitive, social, and emotional) for school and setting them up for lifelong success.
Nebraska Extension Educators are also committed to engaging with community partners, organizations, and other audiences, as well as individuals in ways that reflect an understanding and value for individual differences (e.g., race/ethnicity, abilities, gender, sexual orientation, religion). Nebraska Extension strives to ensure that creative activities, research and learning policies promote equity.
PROGRAM RESPONSIBILITIES:
Focused Assignment – Early Childhood Education (approximately 80% of time):
This is a 12-month, non-tenured position. This educator's home base will be in Lincoln, Nebraska. The subject matter focus for this educator is early childhood development and early care and education. The educator's primary responsibility is to develop and deliver high quality, innovative educational programs and resources as an active participant in the work of the Early Childhood team and may be active in a statewide issue team that addresses current issues facing Nebraska. The educator's geographic accountability region will include Lancaster County. The educator is expected to interact closely with parents, teachers, early childhood professionals, and caregivers of young children in their geographic area and possibly statewide based on the current projects and goals of the Early Childhood team. In this position the Extension educator will:
1. Use high-impact, innovative strategies and current technologies to design, develop, deliver and evaluate programs for robust statewide extension education programs focused on the Early Childhood team's goals.
2. Engage in a collaborative-learning environment with professionals and caregivers to encourage the adoption of research-based information in decision-making.
3. Deliver educational programming for early childhood statewide and within the assigned accountability region. Within the assigned accountability region, the educator will also engage with unit leaders, Extension Engagement Zone Coordinators, extension advisory committees, and local stakeholders to determine needs and provide access to educational opportunities.
4. Work in a multi-disciplinary team environment with extension professionals and other partners to translate and teach the latest research-based information.
5. Use entrepreneurial practices to secure grants, program fees, and partnerships to leverage the extension educational program's resource base and reach.
6. Partner with research faculty to engage in action research that can be applied to educational programming.
7. Practice effective extension scholarship by engaging in community-based participatory research, conducting needs assessments, identifying priorities in partnership with communities, measuring program impact, and reporting results at professional meetings and in professional publications.
8. Develop a professional development plan to enhance and maintain professional expertise in both early childhood and extension pedagogy.
9. Support the youth development program by teaching in areas related to the Early Childhood focused assignment.
10. Intentionally identify ways to engage underrepresented or excluded populations in research, creative activity, and research.
Organizational Citizenship (approximately 20%):
Serve in, contribute to, or support the Lead Educator role. Coordinate with Engagement Zone Coordinator(s) and other Extension professionals locally and in accountability region to develop a robust Nebraska Extension presence.
- Serve in the specific Lead Educator roles as described in the Roles and Responsibilities of the Lead Educator document found at https://myextension.unl.edu/lead-educator-position-description as determined in partnership with the supervisor(s).
- Cooperate with local faculty and staff in a team environment to promote Extension's educational opportunities and impact in the host county.
- Cultivate a culture of collaboration with local leaders and community members that builds positive relationships between the University and the community.
- Support engagement of advisory or policy groups such as the Extension Board, Ag Society, or County Commissioners/Board of Supervisors.
- Understand and adhere to Equal Employment Opportunities; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; and Civil Rights compliance efforts.
In addition to the above-described duties, the individual will be expected to accept 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 diversity within a context of inclusivity 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, Extension programming, and work environments that are inclusive of all forms of human diversity. We actively encourage applications from and nominations of individuals from underrepresented groups.
Minimum Required Qualifications:
- Master's degree in Child Development, Human Development, Early Childhood Education or closely related field.
- Successful experience in teaching (formal or non-formal) early childhood professionals and/or caregivers of young children 0-8 years.
- Demonstrated use of innovative strategies and current technologies to design, develop, deliver and evaluate programs focused on the Early Childhood.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Demonstrated ability to effectively manage multiple priorities and programs.
- Experience in working with individuals, coworkers, and teams to accomplish individual and/or group goals, as evidenced by college, career, and/or community activities.
- Outstanding leadership skills as demonstrated by roles in college, career, and/or community activities.
- Experience coaching early childhood educators.
Job Type: 12 Month (Faculty Only)
