VISITING EXTENSION OUTREACH ASSOCIATE, Illini Science Policy Scholar – 1034557
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 Visiting Extension Outreach Associate, Illini Science Policy Scholar serves as a regular, full time, 12-month academic professional with primary responsibilities being placement in a host agency where the Scholar will support projects and initiatives that research, explore, and inform policy that are central to both the mission of the University of Illinois Extension and the Scholar’s host agency. In particular, the position will work on providing solutions through policy and public service on issues such as agricultural equity, digital equity, disaster preparedness and economic equity throughout Illinois. This position will work to enhance the intersection of public service and public policy in order to improve the lives of those living in historically underserved and underrepresented communities in Illinois. This position has been designed to potentially provide job experience to a recent college graduate with a Master, PhD or professional degree between 2023 – spring of 2026. Full time positions are available. Those selected for the positions will placed in one of the following state or legislative offices and may be asked to travel to various areas of the state including locations where public transportation may not be readily available.
Four full-time positions are available. Those selected for the positions will placed in one of the following state or legislative offices.
Location: Agency dependent – Position will be housed in either Chicago, Springfield, Urbana. Hybrid work is available but onsite work is required.
Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Office of Broadband
DCEO’s mission is to support and maintain a climate that enables a strong economy for our customers — taxpayers, businesses, workers, and communities — by keeping, attracting, and growing businesses, maintaining a skilled workforce, and enhancing communities so that the climate here is one in which businesses, small and large, and workers, can succeed to the greatest extent possible. Created in September 2019, the Office of Broadband is housed within the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. As a primary charge, the office is responsible for administering the Connect Illinois broadband infrastructure grant program. In addition, the office will develop and administer related programming — such as in the areas of community planning and capacity building and digital literacy, adoption, and inclusion. The Illini Science Policy Scholar placed with DCEO, Office of Broadband will work on initiatives closely aligned with the scholar’s interests and expertise and in support of high priority Connect Illinois initiatives, with a focus on the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. Areas of focus may include mapping and data; finance and business analytics; digital access; processes & policy; or program design. Work may also support key efforts of the Illinois Broadband Lab, a collaboration between the DCEO Office of Broadband and University of Illinois System.
Illinois Department of Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security
The Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS) strives to better prepare the State of Illinois for natural, manmade or technological disasters, hazards, or acts of terrorism. The Agency coordinates a broad spectrum of functions designed to create a better prepared state, including:
- Emergency Management: Coordinating the State’s disaster mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery programs, functioning as the coordinating entity for the State of Illinois for all aspects of Emergency Management, and maintaining a 24-hour Communication Center and State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC).
- Homeland Security: In collaboration with intra-agency public safety partners, researching, developing, and implementing programs, services, and providing information and analysis to safeguard communities against current and emerging natural, technological, and human-caused threats and risks to ensure preparedness and enhance resilience related to cyber and critical infrastructure.
- Nuclear Safety: Protecting Illinois residents from the potentially harmful effects of ionizing radiation, administering more than two dozen programs to protect citizens and the environment including inspecting and regulating radioactive materials licensees, registering and inspecting radiation producing equipment and facilities statewide, accrediting medical radiation technologists, certifying mammography facilities, monitoring nuclear power reactors in Illinois, and inspecting and escorting spent nuclear fuel shipments.
The Illini Science Policy Scholar at IEMA-OHS will provide professional contributions to inform research, technology enhancements, policy, and management issues within IEMA-OHS under the Office of Emergency Management. They will have the opportunity to research and provide advice and guidance to Agency leadership on current matters of importance to the residents of Illinois.
Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus and Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus Foundation
The Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus works to empower Illinois Latinos, assure equitable representation in the General Assembly and promote legislative action directed to address those interests. ILLCF is a non-partisan and tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization established in 2002. The mission of the organization is to foster the next generation of Latino leadership while advocating for the needs and wants of the community. Its long-term vision is to expand its work by leveraging the connections of the Foundation to increase their social capital and provide financial and leadership opportunities so that new leaders can emerge, ensuring that the community directly informs the Foundation’s policy priorities. This ensures that the voices of the Illinois Latinos are heard and advocated for, and provides the ILLCF board with opportunities to engage, learn, and experience the issue areas together to promote united advocacy efforts. The Foundation’s Board of Directors includes members of the Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus and others from Illinois Latino communities. The Illini Science Policy Scholar placed with the ILLCF will support the vision and mission of Illinois Latinos through community engagement, data-informed programming, and comprehensive communication.
Illinois Legislative Black Caucus and Illinois Legislative Black Caucus Foundation
The Illinois Legislative Black Caucus Foundation (ILBCF) established in 2002 has been at the forefront of addressing the needs of the Illinois’ African American population. It serves as the civic and philanthropic are to the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus, founded in 1968 and who introduced the 4 Pillars to End Systemic Racism in 2020. The mission of the ILBCF is to provide a forum for non-partisan educational research, public policy development, and analysis of various issues of social and economic importance for Illinois African-American communities, and to provide students throughout Illinois with scholarships and internship opportunities to advance their educational goals. In this position the Illini Science Policy Scholar will support the vision and mission of the ILBCF through community engagement, research-informed programming, and focused and intentional communication.
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 the Visiting Extension Outreach Associate are as follows:
Program Planning, Delivery and Design
- Use research and evaluation findings to help inform policy and legislative action.
- Assist with the development of educational materials / templates / guidebooks for resource prioritization, policy, fundraising, and outreach.
- Design and conduct survey, focus groups to understand the needs of the communities served.
- Design programmatic outreach through webinars, conferences, presentations that elevate the mission of Illinois Extension and host agency.
Research, Evaluation and Social Media Awareness
- Use research and evaluation findings to help inform policy and legislative action.
- Share principles of evidence-based best practice with peers.
- Prepare materials for use at listening sessions, town halls, and other community/civic events as directed.
- Assist in the development and maintenance of social media communications and web resources as directed by host agencies.
Organizational Leadership and Requirements
- Collaborate with colleagues in Illinois Extension, legislative offices, state agencies, local governments, colleges and universities, Illinois communities, community-based organizations, and other stakeholders to conduct research and assist in the development of strategies, policies and action plans that address solutions related to educational, agricultural, digital and/or economic equity.
- Participate as a policy support expert in planning and implementing programs that address public policy priorities for Illinois Extension and/or your legislative or state agency.
Other Information
- Assist unit staff with gathering program participant demographic information to ensure compliance with civil rights reporting requirements.
- Comply with all reporting deadlines and requirements as outlined by the Director of the Illini Science Policy Program (e.g. plans-of-work, activity and impact reporting, etc.).
- Perform other duties that contribute to the mission of University of Illinois Extension programming, as assigned.
- Local, regional, statewide, and (limited) interstate travel 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, lifting and moving 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 Relationship
The Visiting Extension Outreach Associate, Illini Science Policy Scholar is administratively and programmatically responsible to the Director of the Illini Science Policy Program.
Qualifications
Required:
- Master’s or Doctoral Degree, or professional degree.
- Experience engaging in a community setting.
Preferred:
- Most recent degree is from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of Illinois Chicago, Or University of Illinois Springfield.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Strong communication skills. Strong interpersonal skills. Ability to work independently and within a team environment. An understanding of federal and state government. Understanding of land-grant University Extension and ability to work effectively within Extension system.
Additional Information
Sponsorship for work authorization is not available for this position. The positions are temporary, one-year, full-time, benefits-eligible, non-tenure academic professional positions. Positions will begin Summer 2026. Position may have the option to be renewed for an additional year dependent on funding or programmatic needs. Salary is $50,000 annually for positions located in Urbana and Springfield. Salary is $55,000 for positions located in Chicago. Generous vacation and sick leave. State Universities Retirement System. Group health, dental, vision and life insurance.
Application Procedure
To apply, go to https://go.illinois.edu/1034557. Please upload a resume, cover letter, 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 February 26, 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 the positions please contact Search Chair Beth Welbes at [email protected]. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.
