Extension Instructor or Open Rank Extension Educator - HLES Urban Entomology (Lancaster County)

Nebraska Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources; Lincoln (NE); On-site; USD 52,000 - 78,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition remission for employees

Job summary

Nebraska Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources in Lincoln, NE, is seeking an Extension Instructor or Open Rank Extension Educator focused on HLES with an urban entomology emphasis. You will develop and deliver educational programs for diverse audiences across counties and statewide, collaborating with homeowners, institutions, and industry partners.

The twelve-month, non-tenure position offers opportunities to advance education, engage communities, and contribute to pest management

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in entomology or closely related field (extension educator) or bachelor’s with progress towards master’s.
• Successful experience teaching in formal or non-formal settings.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively through publications, presentations, web, and social media.
• Experience with and/or teaching urban pest management.

Responsibilities

• Develops and delivers proactive, engaging educational programs on horticulture, landscapes, and urban entomology.
• Establishes and sustains local and regional programming portfolios and clientele.
• Collaborates with Extension specialists and research faculty to translate research into education.
• Engages with communities, homeowners, producers, and organizations to deliver statewide and county programs.
• Completes PEARS data entry and annual reporting requirements.

Skills

Teaching experience

Communication skills

Urban pest management experience

Education

Master’s degree in entomology or closely related field

Bachelor’s degree in entomology or closely related field

Job description

Position Information

Position Information

EEO Statement

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: Notice of Nondiscrimination

Working Title Extension Instructor or Open Rank Extension Educator - HLES Urban Entomology (Lancaster County) Department NE Ext Engagement Zone 9-12358 Requisition Number F_260119 Posting Open Date 10/08/2026 Application Review Date: (To ensure consideration, please submit all application materials before review date) 11/09/2026 Posting Close Date Open Until Filled Yes Description of Work

This is a full-time, 12-month non-tenured position based in Lincoln, NE with a geographic accountability region including Lancaster, Cass, Otoe, Seward and York Counties. The subject matter focus for this Extension professional is horticulture, landscapes and environmental systems (HLES) with a primary focus on Urban Entomology with an emphasis on plant and food insect issues as well as those insects that affect humans like head lice and bed bugs. This education professional’s primary responsibility is to develop and deliver educational programs and resources as an active participant in Nebraska Extension’s statewide mission. They will work closely with individuals, homeowners, producers, institutions, and organizations in communities to deliver programs in their geographic area and statewide, based on the statewide program area team’s priorities.

The HLES Extension professional will contribute to the integrated extension land-grant mission of the home unit and the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR) as an effective scholar and citizen, including support for student recruitment and IANR science literacy efforts in entomology-related initiatives. In HLES we educate and engage Nebraskans, including pest control companies, and property managers, to protect natural resources and habitats, sustainably manage community spaces, be better consumers, and make wise business decisions.

Nebraska Extension is an organization that values excellence; as a member of the Nebraska Extension team, you are expected to create and deliver world-class learning experiences focused on critical issues that empower Nebraskans to improve their lives.

Expected Impacts From This Position

• Nebraskans will adopt environmentally and economically sustainable integrated best pest management practices to address and reduce pests in urban areas.
• Nebraskans will increase awareness and adoption of best pest management practices for high-priority invasive and emerging insect pests such as, but not limited to, emerald ash borer, Japanese beetles, bed bugs, ticks and head lice.
• Nebraskans will adopt practices that enhance beneficial insect ecosystems.

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., landscape 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 practices to secure funding and develop partnerships that expand Extension program’s 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.
• 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 the engagement of advisory or policy groups such as the Extension Board, Ag Society, or County Commissioners/Board of Supervisors.

Organizational Citizenship (approximately 20%)

• Contributes to and supports the Lead Educator 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 the 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.

This twelve-month, non-tenure 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.

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 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 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 a temporary work authorization (e.g., H-1B) for the successful candidate.

Minimum Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in entomology or closely related field (extension educator) OR bachelor’s degree in entomology or 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 pest management.

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 in developing financial support for educational programs including grant writing, fund generation, contracting and/or cost recovery efforts.

Work Location (City, State): Lincoln, NE. Pre-Placement Driving Record Review Required. Criminal History Background Check Required Yes.

Posted Salary

For questions or accommodations related to this position contact
Marci Sturek
[e-mail]