University of Maine: Assistant Extension Professor

Full-time, fiscal year, non-continuing contract faculty position

Salary/wage: $52,750 - $54,000

Bangor, M.E., U.S.A.

University of Maine Cooperative Extension

Assistant Extension Educator for Food Safety

Title: Extension Educator Date: March 2009

The faculty member in this position will provide leadership for Cooperative Extension’s food safety programming. The faculty member, in partnership with county and campus-based Extension staff and UMaine faculty, will develop or assist educational program focused food safety and food preservation. The position will address the wide spectrum of food safety needs of Maine small business, consumer and community based food safety needs. The position may conduct applied research and scholarship in collaboration with colleagues within Cooperative Extension, the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, and others. This faculty member will also assist with hands-on food preservation programming such as freezing, canning and drying foods. This position will support the Eat Well Nutrition Education Program, Cooperative Extension’s limited-income nutrition education program, with 20% time related to work relevant to this target audience.

Essential Functions:

• Design, implement, evaluate and communicate to clients a Plan of Work that aligns with the University of Maine Cooperation Extension mission and addresses high priority food safety needs of small businesses, consumers and communities.

• Work in partnership with the Extension faculty and staff and county and campus-based colleagues and statewide partners to:

 Develop and conduct educational programs for clients, Cooperative Extension staff and other professionals, work independently and as part of teams, on issues related to food safety

 Serve as a resource for timely and relevant food safety information for faculty, professional and classified staff within Cooperative Extension, and for statewide agency professionals

 Serve in a leadership role for the food safety network within Cooperative Extension

• Build and sustain linkages and collaborate with colleagues in Cooperative Extension, the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition and other relevant academic departments on issues related to food safety

• Provide food safety education/information to commercial food businesses where relevant including HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) certification workshops and the Better Process Control School

• Work as part of a team with external agencies and organizations to address multi-county, state, multi-state and national issues related to food safety

• Provide technical support to nutrition Cooperative Extension staff (Publications Catalog and the Eat Well Nutrition Education Program) on food safety

• Provide timely and accurate information in response to public requests for information, including being a member of the Extension Nutrition, Food Safety and Food Preservation Call Team.

• Conduct and disseminate the results of applied research and other scholarly work.

• Participate in local, regional and state program development teams.

• Develop and sustain a professional development plan in support of one’s Plan of Work.

• Participate in the County Extension staff meetings and Executive Committee meetings, and share in office administrative tasks including support of the County Extension Association.

• Ensure compliance with civil rights, affirmative action, and equal opportunity.

• Hire, orient and supervise professionals, classified, and/or student employees as appropriate, including conducting or participating in required performance evaluations, and providing safety and environmental management oversight.

• Contribute to University of Maine Cooperative Extension’s overall marketing initiatives as part of one’s Plan of Work.

• Other reasonably related duties as assigned.

Work Environment:

The Penobscot County office is located in Bangor, Maine and is the office location for this position. University of Maine Cooperative Extension office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Computer hardware, software and technical support are provided.

Work Schedule:

This position requires a flexible schedule with some evening and weekend work in the county and occasionally on multi-county, statewide and/or multi-state bases.

Work Year: The Extension Educator is a full-time, fiscal year, faculty position

Performance Evaluation Schedule: The employee’s supervisor will conduct performance evaluations in accordance with the University of Maine System (UMS) and the Associated Faculties of the UMS (AFUM) collective bargaining agreement. An annual Plan of Work serves as the framework for performance evaluation with flexibility for change, for example, unanticipated audience needs.

Salary range: $52,750 - $54,000, commensurate with training, demonstrated abilities, and benefits.

Start Date: As soon as possible

The finalist for this position must successfully complete appropriate background checks.

The University of Maine is committed to affirmative actions, equal opportunity

and the diversity of its workplace.

Job requirements:

Qualifications required:

• Earned Master’s degree in Food Science, Human Nutrition, or closely related field

• Demonstrated ability to design, deliver and evaluate educational programs

• Successful applied research experience

• Knowledge in conducting scholarly work

• Ability to communicate effectively using oral, written and electronic media

• Demonstrated ability to work well as part of a team and independently; must be self-motivated and directed with the ability to achieve goals and manage multiple tasks in an autonomous work environment

• Demonstrated computer and educational technology skills

• Ability to travel, usually requiring a valid driver’s license, both in- and out-of-state, with reimbursement at the contract rate.

• Must successfully complete appropriate background checks.

• Ability to work a flexible schedule, depending upon the needs of clients.

Qualifications preferred (but not required):

• Experience with Extension educational program development, delivery and evaluation

• Experience with food safety procedures including HACCP

• Knowledge of or experience in grant writing

• Demonstrated experience working with diverse audiences and knowledge of equal opportunity, affirmative action and civil rights policies

• Demonstrated successful supervisory experience

How to apply:

To apply, please e-mail MS Word or PDF file(s) containing a letter of intent addressing the specific job requirements, resume, all transcripts, names, addresses, phone numbers and email addresses of three (3) references (and their relationship to the applicant) that may be contacted to sandyv@umext.maine.edu. Please reference POS#172 in the subject line of your email. If it is not possible to use the electronic application method above, please fax your application 207/581-3325 or mail to Sandy Vaillancourt, 5741 Libby Hall, Orono, ME 04469-5741. If you have any questions about applying, call Sandy at 207 581-3191. Review of applications begins July 15, 2009. The finalist for this position must successfully complete appropriate background checks.

The University of Maine is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity

and the diversity of its workplace.

Deadline for applications: 2009-07-15