Extension Educator, Asst Sweetwater Community Vitality and Health

JOB TITLE:

Sweetwater County Extension Educator Community Vitality and Health with expertise in Community/Economic Development

JOB PURPOSE:

Are you seeking a career that will allow you to positively impact Wyoming communities and people Do you value public service and seek an outlet that allows you to serve the public through educational programs you create Are you committed to lifelong learning and find value in sharing that with others Then please consider applying for this open position.

The mission of University of Wyoming Extension (UWE) is to empower the people of Wyoming to make choices that enhance their quality of life. By actively involving Wyoming people institutions and communities UWE shows a commitment to people connectivity relevance accountability innovation entrepreneurship and respect. With this in mind UWE will be responsive to the needs concerns and aspirations of the people of Wyoming as we provide learning for better living.

UWE educators are expected to develop relationships with key community leaders and groups to inform the design and delivery of research-based educational programs. They are expected to work within team settings that may consist of other Extension educators community professionals and faculty within and outside of UWE.

For this position educational programming will ideally emphasize some of the following topics: rural economic development housing business incentive packages business diversification marketing entrepreneurship workforce development leadership development financial literacy financial management participatory community planning or other topics identified through local needs assessments.

This position is based in Rock Springs Wyoming the county seat for Sweetwater County.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Program Development and Delivery

• Provide leadership in building mutual learning relationships with community members and leaders through a blend of educational outreach technical assistance and community coaching.
• Implement assessment and advisory strategies to identify educational needs (e.g. by gathering input from community members leaders and organizations about educational needs in the county).
• Develop and maintain awareness of existing programs resources and businesses within local communities being careful not to compete with or favor any.
• Conduct impactful Extension programming informed by assessments of local needs and assets.
• Establish professional partnerships with Extension Specialists and other scientific experts to ensure outreach programming is rooted in research-based information. As an Extension Educator advances in their career this should involve collaborating on applied research projects or demonstration studies to inform educational programs.
• Provide primary leadership for the development implementation evaluation and continual improvement of comprehensive educational programming in community vitality and health (CVH) that is responsive relevant and impactful in addressing needs identified in assessments.
• Provide effective educational experiences using appropriate program delivery strategies such as presentations workshops trainings and other modes of outreach relevant to target audiences which could range widely from youths to adults and the general public to professionals.
• Support the development delivery and evaluation of signature programs or statewide initiatives of the Community Vitality and Health (CVH) focus area.
• Support and promote general Extension operations and outputs in the county and cooperate with other UW programs or efforts in the county (e.g. interacting with the public in ways supportive of UW recruiting).
• Develop and implement evaluation tools (formative and summative) for measuring and reporting consistent program impacts across the short and long term.
• Provide support for 4-H Youth Development in partnership with your local 4-H educator.

Volunteer/Community-Partner Systems

• Establish and support volunteers/partners that have the ability to increase the capacity and long-term sustainability of the CVH focus area (e.g. Master Food volunteers).
• Cultivate relationships with and build capacity of volunteers/partners through a support system consisting of effective orientation training utilization recognition and evaluation (e.g. for 4-H programs).
• Serve as a community-based representative of the University.
• Address issues/conflicts that arise with volunteer/partner/clientele roles.

Communication and Reporting

• Develop and maintain respectful and responsive working relationships and communications with colleagues community leaders/partners volunteers clientele and the general public.
• Use Extension resources including Communications & Technology to market education programs and deliver outputs through various media sources (e.g. newspapers radio newsletters websites social media podcasts etc.) that attract community members from a wide variety of backgrounds.
• Develop and disseminate communication and reporting materials that reflect positively on the University and UW Extension.
• Collect data and prepare reports and presentations to share with local community members and leaders about the public value impacts and accomplishments of CVH programming.

Program Operations

• Ensure civil rights compliance.
• Implement strategies to expand the reach of educational programming to new audiences and ensure all participants (potential and current) have full access to programs services and facilities.
• Plan for and manage risk through established procedures and resources.
• Employ appropriate fiscal management practices to ensure accuracy and accountability.
• Secure external funding to support and expand educational programming.
• Engage in Collaboratives or similar internal funding opportunities to grow and contribute to team capacity for providing robust programming.
• Demonstrate objectivity professionalism and accountability.
• Maintain organized records and provide accurate reports in a timely manner.

Professional Development

• Demonstrate continuing professional development to advance capacity as an Educator and/or technical expertise relevant to the CVH focus area. These activities should support annual professional development goals approved by your supervisor.
• Participate fully in UWEs annual conference (EPIC or ENGAGE) as well as Spring Training.
• New employees: participate fully in New Employee Welcome Day two New Employee Orientation sessions and required Coaching Team sessions.
• Participate in professional societies relevant to your discipline Extension and/or industry.

Service

• Provide service to university college departmental local government and community efforts.

Approximate Time Distribution

Educational programming in CVH - 85%

Support of 4-H Youth Development programs - 15%

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Masters degree from an accredited college or university. Candidates with a Masters degree in progress may be considered for interviews but degree must be completed by hire date.
• One degree (Masters or Bachelors) must be awarded in community planning rural development geography business administration entrepreneurship management marketing economics (e.g. regional agricultural) public administration family consumer science or a field related to community/economic development from an accredited institution.
• Reliable transportation and valid drivers license with a motor vehicle record (MVR) compliant with the Driving for University Business SAP.
• Ability to participate in some overnight travel evening and weekend work.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Training or experience in one or more of the following topics: rural economic development housing business incentive packages business diversification entrepreneurship workforce development leadership development financial literacy financial management participatory community planning or other topics relevant to local needs.
• Experience in developing and delivering science-based outreach to meet needs identified by community members.
• Experience developing partnerships with external organizations or government agencies.
• Experience fostering positive relationships with clientele in a community served.
• Excellent verbal written and interpersonal skills.
• Experience and/or training in teaching youth and adult audiences.
• Experience conducting needs assessments and program impact evaluations.
• Demonstrated ability to use diverse approaches to develop and deliver science-informed outreach related to improving economic community family or individual health and well-being.
• Demonstrated knowledge/appreciation of rural communities and a commitment to work and travel in rural counties in Wyoming.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Extension and the land-grant university system.
• Demonstrated ability to engage effectively in and contribute positively to teamwork.
• Experience in planning and implementing applied research activities.

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

• Completed UW application.
• A detailed letter of intent that specifically addresses your qualifications relative to the essential duties and responsibilities of the position.
• Current resume or curriculum vitae.
• Copies of all college transcripts; official transcripts required at time of hiring.
• Contact information for four (4) references who can address your professional qualifications.

Contact for application inquiries:
Ann Roberson Business Manager
University of Wyoming Extension
1000 E. University Ave. Dept. #3354
Laramie WY 82071
Phone:
E-mail: mrober38@

For specific position information contact:
Dannele Peck Associate Director
University of Wyoming Extension
Phone:
Email: dpeck@

WORK LOCATION:

This position provides vital support to UW Extension clientele and requires the successful candidate to be available to work in person at the Sweetwater County Extension Office in Rock Springs Wyoming.

HIRING STATEMENT:

ABOUT SWEETWATER COUNTY:

This position serves all of Sweetwater County and is based in Rock Springs Wyoming. Located in the southwestern part of Wyoming Sweetwater County is strategically situated at the crossroads of Interstate 80 and U.S. Highway 191 with a population of 42272. Rock Springs has historically been named the Gateway to the West and offers unique off-road and water recreation resources as well as a variety of wildlife species. Among the extraordinary natural sites are historic Flaming Gorge Killpecker Sand Dunes and the beautiful Red Desert. Sweetwater County is also a major cattle and sheep shipping point and the center of large natural trona mines. Other major industries of the area include oil and gas production coal mining electric-power distribution food processing and tourism. More information can be found at:

Experience:

IC