Job Description
Extension Instructor or Open Rank Extension Educator
Horticulture, Landscape, and Environmental Systems (Platte County)
University of Nebraska-Lincoln Are plants, gardens, natural resources, and landscapes your passion? Do you thrive on helping others improve their lives and their communities? Nebraska Extension is an organization that values individuals who excel, adapt easily, exhibit a passion for helping others, and are excellent communicators. As a member of the Nebraska Extension team, you will collaborate with research and extension faculty who are leaders in their field. You will work with high performing teams to create and deliver world class, innovative learning experiences that empower Nebraskans to improve their lives around critical issues.
Nebraska Extension has an excellent opportunity for a full-time faculty position located in Columbus, NE. The education professional's primary responsibility is to develop and deliver educational programs and resources within the primary geographic accountability region of Platte, Hamilton, Boone, Nance, Antelope, Knox, Pierce, Cedar, Madison, Colfax, Butler, and Polk Counties. We want individuals who are self-directed and able to work in a flexible environment. The education professional will develop, deliver, and impact educational programs and resources as an active participant in Nebraska Extension.
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 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 (5) 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.
Required Qualifications • Master's degree in horticulture, landscape design/management/sustainability, environmental science, horticulture entomology, fruit and vegetable production, plant health care, or a closely related field (extension educator); OR bachelor's degree in horticulture, landscape design/management/sustainability, environmental science, horticulture entomology, fruit and vegetable production, plant health care, or a closely related field (extension instructor). 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.
• Successful experience teaching in a formal or non-formal setting.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate (i.e., publications, presentations, web, and social media).
• Experience with and/or teaching urban or landscape horticulture similar to Nebraska systems.
Preferred Qualifications • Experience working with individuals, coworkers, and teams to accomplish individual and/or group goals, as evidenced by college, career, and/or community activities.
• Outstanding leadership skills as demonstrated by roles in college, career, and/or community activities.
• Ability to utilize electronic and online technologies for educational program delivery.
• Successful experience developing financial support for educational programs, including grant writing, fund generation, contracting, and/or cost recovery efforts.
• Experience in supervisory roles.
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. Consistent with the University's N2025 Strategic Plan, we see every person and every interaction as important to our collective wellbeing 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.
Application Process Review of applications will begin September 5, 2025 and continue until the position is filled or the search is closed. To view details of the position and create an application, go to requisition F_250065. Click "Apply for this Job" and complete the faculty information form. Attach 1) a letter of interest that describes your qualifications for the job and anticipated contributions, 2) your curriculum vitae or resume, and 3) 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 for guidance in writing this statement.
As an EO/AA employer, the University of Nebraska considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation. See
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University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Job Tags
Permanent employment, Full time, Temporary work, Visa sponsorship, H1b, Flexible hours,