Extension Educator- Climate Adaptation & Resilience Decisions

Working Title: Extension Educator- Climate Adaptation & Resilience Decisions

Appointment: Full-time, Assistant Extension Professor (9623), P & A

Extension Area: Department of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Systems

Office Location: Option of Extension Regional Office; Location to be determined at hire.

Apply By: March 30, 2025

We are looking for a dedicated individual to join our team at the University of Minnesota who possesses the expertise and hands-on experience to facilitate communities across Minnesota and the Midwest in planning and implementing climate resilience strategies. If you have a genuine passion for collaborating with people to promote resilience to the impacts of climate change, this opportunity is for you.

By joining our team at the University of Minnesota Climate Adaptation Partnership, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact toward building resilience and readiness for climate change in Minnesota and the Midwest. We offer a collaborative and supportive work environment, opportunities for professional growth, and the chance to be at the forefront of community-centered climate adaptation and resilience efforts.

ABOUT THIS POSITION

We seek applicants capable of helping communities across the state and region understand and use resilience frameworks and approaches to plan and implement strategies to manage climate change challenges like increased flood risks, extreme heat, and poor air quality. This will include serving as a trusted expert and educator capable of collaborating closely with a transdisciplinary Climate Extension team to develop and deliver educational training and resources. You will provide hands-on education and technical support to assist communities across Minnesota in understanding climate risks and comparing, selecting, and implementing different resilience strategies. Individuals will work with a diverse set of partners and communities, such as:

• Local government leadership and staff, including townships, cities, and counties;
• Tribal communities, members, and Inter-tribal organizations;
• Natural resource managers and conservationists;
• Federal and state agency leadership and staff;
• Diverse community groups and organizations, including frontline communities;
• Community-based organizations, non-profits and foundations;
• Private sector;
• Climate science professionals, researchers, and;
• Colleges and universities.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Help Community Leaders and Decision-makers Incorporate Climate Change Into Planning and Decision-making: Provide education and technical support for rural, urban, and tribal community leaders, land and water managers, and other key decision-makers in utilizing resilience planning frameworks and methodologies for understanding their climate risks and comparing, selecting and implementing appropriate resilience solutions to address climate change threats like food risks, extreme heat, and poor air quality. This will include leading the development and delivery of MCAP's Climate Adaptation Specialist Training (CAST) program, Community Climate Planning Toolkit, a climate adaptation webinar series, and other educational programs and resources to equip community leaders, land and water managers, and other key decision-makers with the knowledge and skills to effectively integrate future climate risks into planning and decision-making processes. This includes both in-person and online educational training and skill building.
• Cultivate Community Engagement and Collaboration: Support a growing network of community leaders and decision-makers who are seeking information about how to integrate climate considerations into their work and community planning and decision-making processes by facilitating knowledge exchange, organizing trainings and workshops, and connecting professionals with climate adaptation tools and resources, such as the Minnesota Climate Mapping and Analysis Tool (MN CliMAT).
• Measure Program Effectiveness: Develop evaluation systems to determine if educational programs and resources are working well, use results to iteratively improve technical support, and programming, and learn what the people we're helping need most.
• Support Climate Resilience and Solutions Research: Lead research that helps advance the field of climate adaptation and produces results that help us teach professionals and communities about the intersections of climate change, adaptation, and how to implement solution strategies to be more resilient to climate change impacts.
• Adapt Programs for Everyone: Design and change our programs and resources so they work for people with different levels of knowledge, backgrounds, and cultures and for delivery in both in-person and online platforms.
• Contribute to our Long-term Strategy: Work with MCAP Leadership and the MCAP Advisory Board to create strategic plans and actions that strengthen communities in the face of climate change.
• Collaborate with Others: Work together with people in the University and other groups, like MCAP, Extension programs, regional climate services organizations, and people who have a stake in this work.
• Help with Grants and Contracts: Contribute to developing and delivering grant and contract-funded projects and programming related to climate science, its effects, and the actions we take to manage it.
• Be Part of the University Community: Be an active member of the University of Minnesota Climate Adaptation Partnership, Extension, and the wider University of Minnesota community.

MORE ABOUT THE CLIMATE ADAPTATION PARTNERSHIP

This position will be a significant contributor to the Extension and research activities of the University of Minnesota Climate Adaptation Partnership (MCAP), a joint program of University of Minnesota Extension and the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS). MCAP works to develop critical climate science knowledge, champion climate adaptation leadership and support climate resilience actions and collaborations across communities, sectors, and levels of government to ensure Minnesota is making needed progress to prepare for our changing climate. MCAP is a leading multi-sector group and partners directly with state, federal and local governments, the private sector, non-profits, Tribes, community organizations, and individuals.

The intended starting salary for this position is $68,000-78,000 annually, depending on qualifications and experience. Salary will be negotiated at the time of hire.

LOCATION OF POSITION

Primary office location at one of 15 Extension Regional office locations. A list of Extension Regional Office is available here; Location to be determined at hire. Hybrid work arrangements may be considered for this position.

TRAVEL

This person will travel overnight to locations across Minnesota approximately 1-3 nights per month and day trips approximately 1-3 times per month.

Candidates must meet all REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS and must document them in application materials (cover letter and resume/CV).

Required Qualifications:

• A master's degree in climate adaptation science, social science, decision science, urban planning, environmental science, education, geography, or related fields.
• Two years of full-time, post-bachelor's professional experience designing, leading, and evaluating community engagement and stakeholder collaboration efforts related to climate adaptation and resilience.
• Experience with applying decision-making frameworks and models, such as scenario planning, to help professionals or organizations make informed, rational decisions.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate complex scientific information in clear and concise language appropriate for diverse audiences, particularly in community leadership and planning contexts.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships and collaborations with colleagues, stakeholders, and communities with diverse missions, goals, cultures, and backgrounds.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and lead multi-faceted projects and work independently with little or no supervision.
• Excellent communication skills, including oral, written, and graphic/image formats.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in developing mitigation and adaptation plans to address natural disasters, climate change, or other disruptions.
• Expertise with resilience planning frameworks and approaches such as the NOAA Steps to Resilience for planning and decision processes like hazard identification, risk assessment, vulnerability analysis, and strategic doing.
• Experience with participatory research, community engagement, facilitating consensus-building in group decision-making processes, and/or knowledge co-production.
• Experience working with decision-makers or providing technical support to inform climate-related planning and/or policy development and implementation.
• Experience writing and leading grant proposals and projects.
• Demonstrated ability to use technology to enhance learning, communication resources, and stakeholder engagement.
• Relevant training or certifications such as completion of the U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit or American Society of Adaptation Professionals training programs, completion of FEMA National Emergency Management Academies, or planning certification from the American Institute of Certified Planners.

Additional Requirements:

• Travel (in-state frequently and national occasionally) will be necessary to perform the responsibilities of this position. This person may be expected to use a personal vehicle and have appropriate insurance. Includes some monthly overnight travel. Mileage and sustenance reimbursement are provided according to University policies.
• Valid driver's license and own means of transportation with required liability insurance, to be utilized for travel to workshops and transporting materials and supplies to events; the need to transport other people/employees may occur.
• When not in the assigned office location, must be reachable with a number that will be published in the Extension staff directory.
• Ability to maintain a flexible work schedule, including occasional evening or weekend work.
• Must be able to work regularly at a dedicated/assigned Extension office and must have reliable internet if/when working outside of the office.
• Must be able to travel within designated communities and provide in-person programming.
• Working ability to perform tasks involving prolonged sitting, standing, bending, or twisting, with occasional exertion of up to thirty pounds of force, and frequent repetitive motions
• This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship.

ABOUT EXTENSION

University of Minnesota Extension is a major outreach arm of the University of Minnesota with a mission to serve the public through applied research and education. Our mission is to make a difference by connecting community needs and University resources to address critical issues in Minnesota. Extension strives to attract and retain high-quality, passionate employees, and weave diversity, equity and inclusion into all aspects of Extension's programming and employee engagement. Find further information on the Extension website.

Pay Range: $68,000-$78,000; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

Please note: this position is not eligible for H-1B or Green Card sponsorship.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click on the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position. Please include the following attachments with your online application:

• Cover letter
• Resume/Vitae

Contact information for three professional references and college transcripts (unofficial transcripts are acceptable) will be required during the interview process.

Please note: This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship.

Additional documents may be attached after the application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section. See full application instructions.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please email employ@umn.edu or call 612-624-UOHR (8647).

For questions about this position, contact:

Nathan Meyer, Program Leader, Natural Resources, meyer179@umn.edu.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.