Master Gardener Program Lead & Community Educator

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Breese (IL); On-site; USD 39,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Tuition waivers

Job summary

The Extension Program Coordinator role at University of Illinois Extension in Illinois offers a 100% full-time Civil Service position focused on managing Master Gardener Volunteer programs and related horticulture outreach for adults and youth. You will plan educational activities, recruit and train volunteers, and ensure thorough documentation and reporting.

The job involves working both in office and in communities, occasional evenings/weekends, travel between sites, and a strong emphasis on

Qualifications

• High school graduation or GED.
• Any one or any combination that equals four (4) years/ 48 months of responsible volunteer or professional work experience in coordinating educational and/or community programs or activities.
• Volunteer/work experience coordinating educational and/or community programs or activities.
• College coursework in any field of study.
• 60 semester hours equals two (2) years (24 months).
• 90 semester hours equals three (3) years (36 months).
• 120 semester hours or more equals four (4) years (48 months).

Responsibilities

• Program Coordination and Development.
• Coordinate the planning of educational activities for the program with collaboration from the County Director or Educator.
• Identifies critical priority needs and issues, with the assistance of other staff, to be addressed through Master Gardener programs.
• Conduct evaluation of program activities and make appropriate changes or recommendation for continuation or discontinuation of the program.
• Provide leadership, as primary contact, to volunteers, Master Gardeners in support of local Master Gardener programs and their activities.
• Provide leadership for the local Expansion and Review Committee.
• Work with Unit staff, Extension volunteers, and Extension clientele to create and/or maintain administrative records.
• Disseminate education information provided by Extension professionals.
• Maintain required records and data.
• Provides monthly reports to the County Extension Director.
• Volunteer Recruitment, Training & Development.
• Recruit, screen and select Master Gardener volunteers.
• Orient volunteers to the philosophy of the Master Gardener programs, risk management, policies, procedures, and materials.
• Coordinate volunteer trainings related to program offerings and continuing educational opportunities.
• Maintain contact with volunteers on a regular basis through meetings and correspondence, including email and phone.
• Formulate and implement standard operating procedures for all program activities, to ensure the safety and welfare of all volunteers and participants.
• Marketing & Networking.
• Develop and implement a marketing plan and objectives to recruit adult volunteers and youth participants for Master Gardener opportunities.
• Utilize a variety of promotion methods including, personal contacts, social media and printed materials.
• Network and collaborate with other community organizations to assess needs and develop programs to meet those needs.
• Organizational Duties.
• Participates in professional development opportunities.
• Attends staff meetings as scheduled, and provides updates to Extension staff and Extension Council on accomplishments and activities.
• Comply with all University of Illinois Extension Workforce Equity/Equal Opportunity policies and guidelines in all aspects of Extension and Outreach work and assist, as requested, with data collection for Equal Employment and reporting

Skills

Communication

Team collaboration

Attention to detail

Multi-tasking

Education

High school diploma or GED

College coursework

4 years of related experience

Job description

The Extension Program Coordinator role at University of Illinois Extension in Illinois offers a 100% full-time Civil Service position focused on managing Master Gardener Volunteer programs and related horticulture outreach for adults and youth. You will plan educational activities, recruit and train volunteers, and ensure thorough documentation and reporting.

The job involves working both in office and in communities, occasional evenings/weekends, travel between sites, and a strong emphasis on