University of Connecticut hiring Assistant Cooperative Extension Educator One Health – Agriculture and Community Engagement in Windham, CT | LinkedIn (2024)

INTRODUCTIONUConn Extension, a part of the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources, at the University of Connecticut, seeks applicants for a full-time, 11-month appointment, non-tenure track, Assistant Extension Educator, specializing in One Health and Agriculture and Community Engagement. The successful candidate is expected to develop interdisciplinary extension programs that focus on linkages in One Health in the context of agriculture; engage with vulnerable communities to develop their capacity to address local One Health challenges; serve as a peer resource for compliance with Civil Rights policies and procedures; and develop strong working relationships with stakeholders across the state and UConn faculty, state, and federal agency personnel. This is an off-campus, county-based position. The primary office location is the Windham County Extension Center in Brooklyn, CT.

The Department of Extension in the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources works collaboratively with partners in all 169 municipalities across Connecticut, throughout the northeast region, and beyond. It is a non-tenuring unit with 35 faculty, and 50 program and administrative staff. Additional grant-specific program personnel assist in solving problems and enhancing the well-being of our state population where they live, work, and learn. Programs carried out by the Department constitute most of the activity of the UConn Extension System. Faculty and staff conduct educational activities through eight Extension centers located throughout the state.

CAHNR has developed and implemented a Strategic Vision to guide the development and focus of our teaching, research, and Extension programs in the years 2020-2025. Faculty hired for this position will be expected to make significant contributions in their area of expertise, contributing to the advancement of one or more of the CAHNR’s five strategic priorities https://cahnr.uconn.edu/visionandvalues:

• Ensuring a vibrant agricultural industry and sustainable food supply
• Enhancing health and well-being locally, nationally, and globally
• Fostering sustainable landscapes across urban-rural interfaces
• Advancing resilience and adaptation in a changing climate
• Dismantling structural racism and fostering environments that advance racial equity, inclusion, and belonging by advocating for anti-racist policies, practices, and norms.

Founded in 1881, UConn is a Land Grant and Sea Grant institution and member of the Space Grant Consortium. It is the state’s flagship institution of higher education and includes a main campus in Storrs, CT, four regional campuses throughout the state, and 13 Schools and Colleges, including a Law School in Hartford, and Medical and Dental Schools at the UConn Health campus in Farmington. The University has approximately 10,000 faculty and staff and 32,000 students, including nearly 24,000 undergraduates and over 8,000 graduate and professional students. UConn is a Carnegie Foundation R1 (highest research activity) institution, among the top 25 public universities in the nation. Through research, teaching, service, and outreach, UConn embraces diversity and cultivates leadership, integrity, and engaged citizenship in its students, faculty, staff, and alumni. UConn promotes the health and well-being of citizens by enhancing the social, economic, cultural, and natural environments of the state and beyond. The University serves as a beacon of academic and research excellence as well as a center for innovation and social service to communities. UConn is a leader in many scholarly, research, and innovation areas. Today, the path forward includes exciting opportunities and notable challenges. Record numbers of undergraduate applications and support for student success have enabled the University to become extraordinarily selective.

Duties And Responsibilities

• Plan, deliver, and evaluate culturally responsive Extension programs focused on educating individuals, families, and communities about the linkages in One Health between animal and plant health, human health, and environmental health through the lens of agriculture.
• Engage with communities to build their capacity to create locally driven and culturally appropriate solutions to One Health challenges, particularly communities experiencing inequities and disparities that increase their vulnerability to One Health challenges.
• Serve as a mentor for UConn Extension faculty and staff to increase their capacity to plan, deliver, and report programs compliant with Civil Rights policies and procedures with support from CAHNR administration, the UConn Office of Institutional Equity, and the UConn Extension Data Analyst.
• Actively pursue internal and external funding to support Extension programs and integrated programs related to One Health initiatives.
• Attend and actively engage in state and national program activities as appropriate, including meetings, committees, and conferences.
• Performs related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

• A Master’s degree in extension education, agricultural education, or a closely related field.
• A Bachelor’s degree in the agricultural field.
• Demonstrated communication skills, including writing and presentation skills.
• Experience working with Extension programs and the land-grant university system.
• Willingness to develop and maintain a working knowledge of USDA policies and procedures related to Civil Rights and bring that knowledge to all Extension program areas in advancement of One Health.
• Ability to work independently, and as part of a team.
• Personal transportation and a driver’s license are required; a mileage allowance is provided for Extension-related travel. Evening and weekend work may be required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to develop, deliver, and evaluate impactful extension programs.
• Demonstrated experience delivering Extension programs in communities experiencing inequities and disparities.
• Knowledge of teaching and learning theories and models for youth and adult audiences.
• Experience developing Extension reports, peer-reviewed scholarship, or research-based articles focused on advancing Extension practice and/or programs.
• Knowledge of how Connecticut agriculture may interface with urban, suburban, and rural communities around One Health concepts.

APPOINTMENT TERMSThis is a full-time, grant-funded, 11-month position with an anticipated start date of August 2024. The successful candidate will work primarily at the University of Connecticut’s Windham County Extension office located in Brooklyn, CT, with occasional travel to the Storrs Campus, other extension centers, and elsewhere in the state.

This position is subject to annual renewal, contingent on satisfactory performance and budget funding. Other rights, terms, and conditions of employment are contained in the collective bargaining agreement between the University of Connecticut and the American Association of University Professors UConn Chapter (AAUP).

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENTEmployment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.

TO APPLY Please apply online to Search #498524 and submit the following application materials:

• Cover letter summarizing how your qualifications and experience meet the position requirements (maximum two pages).
• Curriculum vitae.
• Personal statement on Equity, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (maximum one page).
• Names and contact information for at least three references including emails.

The evaluation of applicants will begin immediately. For more information regarding the Department of Extension please visit the department website at https://cahnr.uconn.edu/extension/.

This position is scheduled to be removed at 11:55 pm on September 8, 2024.

At the University of Connecticut, our commitment to excellence is complemented by our commitment to building a culturally diverse community.

This position will be filled subject the budgetary approval.

All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics which may be found at http://www.ct.gov/ethics/site/default.asp.

All members of the University of Connecticut are expected to exhibit appreciation of, and contribute to, an inclusive, respectful, and diverse environment for the University community.The University of Connecticut aspires to create a community built on collaboration and belonging and has actively sought to create an inclusive culture within the workforce. The success of the University is dependent on the willingness of our diverse employee and student populations to share their rich perspectives and backgrounds in a respectful manner. This makes it essential for each member of our community to feel secure and welcomed and to thoroughly understand and believe that their ideas are respected by all. We strongly respect each individual employee’s unique experiences and perspectives and encourage all members of the community to do the same. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. The University of Connecticut is an AA/EEO Employer.