Job Details
Working Title: Extension Instructor or Open Rank Extension Educator - 4-H Youth Development (Merrick County)
Department: NE Ext Engagement Zone 7-12356
Requisition Number: F_260086
Posting Open Date: 08/27/2026
Application Review Date: (To ensure consideration, please submit all application materials before review date): 09/30/2026
Open Until Filled: Yes
Description of Work
Overview
This position is based in Central City, NE, with the geographic accountability region of Merrick and Hamilton Counties. The major responsibility of this position is to provide regional leadership for Nebraska Extension’s 4-H and Youth Development Program. This extension professional is expected to interact closely with 4-H clientele in these communities and deliver programs in their geographic area.
The Positive Youth Development – 4-H extension professional will contribute to the integrated (extension, research, and teaching) land-grant mission of the home unit and the IANR as an effective scholar and citizen, including supporting student recruitment and IANR science literacy. In 4-H, we believe in the power of young people. We see that every child has valuable strengths and real influence to improve the world around us. We are America’s largest youth development organization, empowering nearly six million young people across the U.S. with the skills to lead for a lifetime. Nebraska Extension is an organization that values excellence and as a member of the Nebraska Extension team you will create and deliver world-class learning experiences focused on critical issues that empower Nebraskans to improve their lives.
This twelve-month, non-tenure track position carries the title of open rank extension educator or extension instructor, depending on the candidate’s level of education. Those possessing a graduate level degree in the requested area of instruction will be considered for an open rank educator position, a full-time, promotable, non-tenure track appointment. Those in possession of an undergraduate degree in the requested area of instruction will be considered for an instructor position, a full-time, non-promotable, non-tenure track appointment that will be renewed annually for a maximum of five years in the appointment. If hired as an instructor, the incumbent will be expected to make satisfactory progress towards and complete a master’s degree within the initial five-year appointment period. As part of the Nebraska benefits package, UNL offers tuition remission for full-time employees, up to 15 credit hours per year. Once the master’s degree is earned within that period, the position will advance to an assistant extension educator appointment.
Programmatic Responsibilities (approximately 80%)
- Exemplifies positive and professional behavior and attitude towards colleagues, clients, and partner organizations.
- Develops and delivers proactive, innovative, and engaging educational programs and products, using teaching methods and strategies that have significant reach, engagement, and impact in your county, accountability region, and, as appropriate, statewide and nationally.
- Establishes and sustains a strong local and regional clientele base and programming portfolio that is documented and shared with colleagues.
- Employs innovative strategies and technologies to design, develop, implement, and assess programs for a strong Extension education program/engagement at the county, accountability region, and statewide levels.
- Engages and teaches in a collaborative learning and problem-solving environment, working with assistants, educators, and specialists to encourage learners to adopt research-based decision-making information.
- Deliberately engages and works closely with one or more Extension specialists to fulfill your Extension responsibilities.
- Collaborates with specialists and research faculty to conduct applied and validation research (e.g., schools or community) that can be amplified via multiple engagement platforms.
- Shows robust contributions to multidisciplinary team settings with Extension professionals and other internal and external partners to translate and convey the latest research-based information.
- Engages local, regional, and statewide partners to identify and address high-priority issues where Extension is particularly well positioned to contribute.
- Fosters a culture of collaboration with local, regional and statewide leaders that nurtures and strengthens positive relationships among the University, its partners, and the people we serve.
- Employs innovative, revenue-generating strategies to secure funding and develop partnerships that expand Extension’s program reach and impact.
- Creates ongoing programming revenue that supports the viability of individuals, teams, units, and the System.
- Leads and contributes value to high-performing Extension programming teams.
- Engages in personal and professional development opportunities that enhance knowledge, skills, and competencies relevant to your role.
- Supports youth development programs by contributing to areas related to your specific assignment.
- Conducts need assessments, identifies priorities, develops various program and engagement platforms to connect with a variety of audiences, measure program impact, and report the results in your annual report as well as to Extension boards, County Commissioners and Supervisors, State Senators, key stakeholders, at professional meetings, and in professional and Extension publications when appropriate.
- Educators will collaborate with lead educators, Extension specialists, Extension advisory committees, and local stakeholders within their accountability region to assess needs and offer access to engagement opportunities through various platforms (e.g., focus groups, surveys, stakeholder meetings, etc.).
- Participates in teams comprised of assistants, educators, specialists, other staff or faculty, industry, and community leaders. These teams focus on current or future needs or strengths and strategize in program areas where you contribute.
- Fosters a culture of collaboration with local leaders and accountability in the region that nurtures and builds positive relationships among the University, its partners, and the communities we serve.
- Cultivates open and welcoming learning environments.
- Completes PEARS data entry and reporting requirements.
- Fulfills annual IANR reporting requirements, including an individual impact report.
Organizational Citizenship/Lead Educator Role (approximately 20%)
- Serves in, contributes to, or supports the specific Lead Educator roles as described in the Roles and Responsibilities of the Lead Educator document as determined in partnership with the supervisor(s).
- Coordinates with Engagement Zone Coordinator(s) and other Extension professionals locally and in accountability region to develop a robust Nebraska Extension presence by
- Cooperating with local faculty and staff in a team environment to promote Extension’s educational opportunities and impact in the host county.
- Cultivating a culture of collaboration with local leaders and community members that builds positive relationships between the University and the community.
- Supporting engagement of advisory or policy groups such as the Extension Board, Ag Society, or County Commissioners/Board of Supervisors.
- Understands and adheres to Equal Employment Opportunity compliance efforts.
- Accepts 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 collaboration and participation in teams 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, and Extension programming environments where the unique contributions of each individual are acknowledged and valued. At IANR we see every person and every interaction as important to our collective well-being and our ability to deliver on our mission.
This position is not eligible for employment-based permanent residency sponsorship. UNL may be able to sponsor temporary work authorization (e.g., H-1B) for the successful candidate.
The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its programs, activities, or employment. See the Notice of Nondiscrimination.
Minimum Required Qualifications
- Master’s degree in youth development, education, or a closely related field (extension educator) OR bachelor’s degree in youth development, education, or a closely related field (extension instructor). If hired as an instructor, the incumbent will be expected to make satisfactory progress towards a master’s degree within the initial five-year appointment period.
- Successful experience teaching in a formal or non-formal setting.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate (i.e., publications, presentations, web, and social media).
- Experience and demonstrated ability to work with youth and youth organizations, including understanding positive youth development and youth program management.
Preferred Qualifications
- Demonstrated experience working as a team, displaying strong leadership and organizational skills.
- Demonstrated experience/training in the recruitment, training, mentoring, and management of volunteers.
- Experience and ability to engage audiences from a variety of backgrounds and socioeconomic statuses.
- Ability to speak language(s) in addition to English; Spanish preferred.
Work Location (City, State): Central City, NE
Criminal History Background Check Required: Yes
How to Apply
Click “Apply for this Job” and complete the faculty information form. Attach the following required documents:
- A letter of interest that describes your qualifications for the job and anticipated contributions.
- Your curriculum vitae or resume. Attach as “Curriculum Vitae.”
- Contact information for three (3) professional references.
In addition, within the application, please complete the required supplemental question(s), one specifically describing your experience working in teams or groups and your anticipated contributions to creating environments where every person and every interaction matters. See https://go.unl.edu/ianrguide for guidance in writing this statement.
For questions or accommodations related to this position contact:
Marci Sturek
msturek2@unl.edu
Job Category: Faculty Non-Tenure Leading
Job Category (old): Faculty Non-Tenure Leading
Job Type: 12 Month (Faculty Only)
Position funded by grant or other form of temporary funding?: No
Organizational Location: Default Location
Organization
Working at University of Nebraska-Lincoln
For 150 Years, A Leader in Higher Education
Always a place of high ambition, University of Nebraska was one of the first institutions west of the Mississippi River to award doctoral degrees - the first was granted in 1896. The University of Nebraska established the world's first undergraduate psychology laboratory. The discipline of ecology was born here, and the campuses reflect that tradition, being recognized as botanical gardens and arboreta. An early institutional interest in literature and the arts provided the foundations for today's Prairie Schooner literary magazine, for the University of Nebraska Press, and for the Sheldon Museum of Art, which houses one of the world's most significant collections of 20th century American art.
Today, Nebraska is one of the nation's leading teaching institutions, and a research leader with a wide array of grant-funded projects aimed at broadening knowledge in the sciences and humanities. Nebraska is also a land-grant university and a member of the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU). The university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Benefits
The University of Nebraska offers an extensive benefits package that includes health, life, disability and long term care insurance; retirement accounts; tuition reimbursement for employees and their spouses and dependent children; and reimbursement accounts for health care and dependent day care. Leave policies are designed to help employees deal with personal or family events or crises.
Diversity and Inclusion
In the spirit of the phrase "Every Interaction Matters", UNL has an enacted commitment to diversity and inclusive excellence for our faculty, staff, and students. On our campus, diversity and inclusion are important priorities. Examples include: Husker Dialogues, which is an event that helps first-year students focus on diversity and inclusion and practice handling difficult conversations around difference; three Chancellor's Diversity Commissions that are charged with informing and advising the Chancellor and addressing issues of constituent campus communities; and the establishment of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion whose leader operates at the Vice Chancellor level. At the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, we strive for excellence in all that we do. True excellence requires that each individual be able to work and learn in an atmosphere of respect, dignity, and belonging. Our commitment to diversity and inclusion requires each of us to continuously ensure our interactions are respectful, protect free speech, and inspire academic freedom.
About Lincoln
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is located in an up-and-coming and safe city of 300,000 people that has many of the cultural and entertainment benefits of a much larger city, with the feel of a friendly Midwestern community. The Pinnacle Bank Arena, opened in 2013, routinely hosts major touring acts. A buzzing entertainment district, the Railyard, connects the arena area to the Historic Haymarket. Cuisines from all continents provide the entree to dynamic urban nightlife and a wide variety of ways to enjoy time with friends. Nebraska's City Campus is one with Lincoln's city center, as it has been since the university was founded. Lincoln has more parkland per capita than Austin, Texas; Portland, Oregon; and all but a handful of U.S. cities. The well-manicured Pioneers Park, the native woods of Wilderness Park and the open grassland of Nine-Mile Prairie are each within a 10-minute trip from campus. Connecting many of these parks is an extensive trails network.
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