EXTENSION SPECIALIST, AGRICULTURE AND AGRIBUSINESS (Commercial Agriculture) – 1035471
University of Illinois Extension
College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES)
WE TRANSFORM LIVES.
Everything we do is designed to improve the quality of life of the people in the state of Illinois, across the nation, and around the world. We discover, develop, translate, and disseminate knowledge to address societal concerns and train the next generation of experts and leaders in a way that empowers them to expand the boundaries of science to higher levels of understanding and influence.
Be a part of our story. Through learning partnerships that extend knowledge and change lives, University of Illinois Extension provides educational programs aimed at making life better, healthier, safer, and more profitable for individuals and their communities. Illinois Extension has operated continuously for more than 100 years connecting the citizens of Illinois to their land-grant university by providing educational programming around the state. University of Illinois Extension is based in the College of ACES and works with all colleges and units of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
The Extension Specialist, Agriculture and Agribusiness (Commercial Agriculture) serves as a regular, full time, 12 month academic professional with primary responsibility for the development, delivery, and evaluation of educational programs supporting the mission of the University of Illinois Extension. Extension Specialists support one of the four core Extension program areas and within that program area may focus on one or more of the following interdisciplinary initiatives: Community, Environment, Economy, Food, and Health. Programmatic objectives will be consistent with national and statewide initiatives considered of significant importance to residents of the state of Illinois.
This position will have applied research and outreach responsibilities for the commercial production and management of field crops grown or potentially grown in the Extension Unit and state. For the purposes of program delivery, the geographic area is both to the Unit and statewide.
This position will be expected to collaborate closely with campus-based specialists and other faculty and other members of the Commercial Ag team in the planning and implementation of research projects with high local relevance to stakeholders. As necessary, the Commercial Agriculture Specialist will be expected to cooperate with campus faculty in the conducting of pest surveys and the dissemination of these findings to clientele. This position will oversee selected Commercial Agricultural programming will include, but not limited to fruits, vegetables, specialty crops and other horticultural crops. The position will have statewide duties to meet the needs of clientele within the state of Illinois.
One full time position is available.
Location: Urbana-Champaign Campus or negotiable Extension Unit location.
In state hybrid remote work arrangements are available.
(There is flexibility for this position to be housed in an office in one of the 27 Extension Units throughout Illinois instead of on campus in Urbana, IL. See Extension website here for details on office locations.)
This is a security-sensitive position. Comprehensive background checks, including but not limited to a criminal conviction information check, a CANTS check, and a review of the Registered Sex Offender list, will be conducted.
Specific responsibilities of Extension Specialists are as follows:
Program Development, Delivery and Evaluation
- Provide program leadership, interpret and integrate information, teach in the field of designated expertise, maintain the competencies to develop and deliver educational programming, and assist clients with the appropriate resource bases.
- Assess the needs of local clientele in a systematic and analytical manner. This will include networking and collaborating with community organizations and other relevant groups.
- Within the designated area(s) of specialization, develop innovative curricula and programs to address local needs as well as to mesh with the broader state and national interdisciplinary initiatives.
- Deliver high impact programs to all Illinois citizens utilizing a selection of innovative delivery mechanisms to optimize reach and effectiveness, by teaming with additional Extension employees and volunteers who assist with program management functions and teaching roles when appropriate.
- Guide program expansion and program quality processes by teaching and providing training and support to employees or volunteers who teach and work within the program area.
- Support voluntary educational delivery systems with relevant subject matter expertise.
- Evaluate the impact of program initiatives in a planned and statistically relevant fashion. Evaluation plans should focus not only on short-term impacts but also on long-term changes in clientele practices.
- Develop effective and contemporary approaches to communicate with clientele. This may include constantly evolving electronic technologies (e.g. twitter, Facebook, blogs, e-learning, etc.).
- Comply with all reporting deadlines and requirements (e.g. plans of work, activity and impact reporting, etc.)
- Serve as a content expert for educational efforts within specialty crops, (fruits and vegetables) application for commercial agriculture.
Organizational Leadership and Development
- Market and represent Extension’s interests to external partners and stakeholders in areas related to expertise.
- Compete for internal and external resources to enhance the development of innovative educational programs with potential for high impact. Includes strategic use of available funds to increase program quality and impact.
- Assist with and support the total University of Illinois Extension program.
- Accept statewide responsibilities as recommended by the Program Leader and approved by the Director of Extension.
- Serve as an effective team member and volunteer for leadership roles as appropriate.
- Lead teams as appropriate for systematically carrying out the deliverables of the program.
- Perform other duties that contribute to the mission of University of Illinois Extension programming, as assigned.
Scholarship
- Establish professional relationships and participate in campus-based partnerships that tie academic programs and research to complement Extension programming by partnering with Extension Specialists and/or faculty members on research projects as appropriate within the initiatives.
- Be an active member within a professional society(s) to keep abreast of changes within your discipline.
- Continually seek professional development opportunities to enhance competency in subject matter area.
- Use research and evaluation findings to create innovative programs and make changes to existing programs in order to improve quality.
- Share principles of evidence-based best practice with peers.
Other Information
- Assist unit staff with gathering program participant demographic information to ensure compliance with civil rights reporting requirements.
- Local, regional and (limited) statewide travel required; personal transportation required.
- To perform the functions of this position, the employee will be required to perform work both within an office and outside in the communities that are served and must have the capability to travel from one location to the other in a timely fashion. Employee is responsible for securing personal transportation. A valid driver’s license is preferred. Some work will be required during evenings and/or weekends. When working, the employee may be exposed to a variety of environmental factors to include, but not limited to, hot or cold weather, exposure to noise and allergens, and uneven ground. In performing the functions of this position, the employee may be subjected to various mental and physical demands as well to include, but not limited to, independently traveling to and performing work at different locations, ability to move, transfer and/or transport items that may occasionally weigh up to forty (40) pounds and frequently weigh up to twenty (20) pounds, and twisting, pushing and pulling movements. More detailed information regarding the functions of this position (including the physical, mental, and environmental requirements of the position) may be obtained from Human Resources for the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) by contacting [email protected].
Administrative and Programmatic Relationship
The Extension Specialist is administratively and programmatically responsible to the Assistant Dean, Agriculture and Agribusiness.
Qualifications
Required:
- Master’s degree in a relevant discipline from an accredited institution of higher education. Examples of relevant majors include, but are not limited to: field crop production, or crop management emphasis; field crop protection such as weed science, plant pathology, or entomology. Candidates with a Master’s degree in progress may be considered for interviews, but degree must be completed by hire date.
- Experience with educational programs.
- At minimum, must be able to earn or maintain active Certified Crop Advisor certification.
Preferred:
- Experience within crop sciences, including management of crops, soils, pests, and plant nutrients.
- Teaching experience in informal and formal teaching settings related to agricultural education programs.
- Experience with University of Illinois Extension.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Strong communication skills. Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work within a team environment. Ability to build and maintain networks.
Additional Information
This position is not eligible for any type of sponsorship for work authorization. This position is a full-time, benefits-eligible, non-tenure academic professional position appointed on a 12-month service basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the closing date. The previously determined salary range for this position was $73,000 to $90,000. We strive to provide a competitive salary while taking into consideration internal equity, candidate experience and qualifications, as well as budget constraints. The final salary offer will be determined through a calculation involving these elements. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at the top of the full range for this position. State Universities Retirement System. Group health, dental, vision and life insurance.
Application Procedure
To apply, go to https://go.illinois.edu/1035471. Please upload a cover letter, resume, and the names and contact information for three professional references. Resume dates submitted must be in month/year format and employment history, at a minimum, should include all work dating back to the completion of your undergraduate degree. Positions that were less than full-time/100% must be noted as being part-time. Transcripts may be requested at a later date. To receive full consideration, all requested application materials must be submitted via the online system by the close date of April 1, 2026.
The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.
Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal, or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing [email protected].
For further information about this specific position, please contact Amanda Taylor at [email protected]. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.
