Visiting Extension Outreach Associate, Illini Science Policy Scholar

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Job Title: Visiting Extension Outreach Associate, Illini Science Policy Scholar

Company Name:	University of Illinois
Location:	Urbana, IL
Position Type:	Internship
Post Date:	02/27/2026
Expire Date:	03/29/2026
Job Categories:	Education, Government and Policy, Collegiate Faculty, Staff, Administration

Job Description

Visiting Extension Outreach Associate, Illini Science Policy Scholar
<h2 style="text-align: center">Visiting Extension Outreach Associate, Illini Science Policy Scholar</h2><h3 style="text-align: center">University of Illinois Extension</h3>WETRANSFORM LIVES. Everythingwe do is designed to improve the quality of life of the people in the state ofIllinois, across the nation, and around the world. We discover, develop,translate, and disseminate knowledge to address societal concerns and train thenext generation of experts and leaders in a way that empowers them to expandthe boundaries of science to higher levels of understanding and influence.Be a part ofour story. Throughlearning partnerships that extend knowledge and change lives, University ofIllinois Extension provides educational programs aimed at making life better,healthier, safer, and more profitable for individuals and their communities.Illinois Extension has operated continuously for more than 100 years connectingthe citizens of Illinois to their land-grant university by providingeducational programming around the state. University of Illinois Extension isbased in the College of ACES and works with all colleges and units of theUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.The Visiting Extension Outreach Associate, Illini Science PolicyScholar serves as a regular, full time, 12-month academic professional withprimary responsibilities being placement in a host agency where the Scholarwill support projects and initiatives that research, explore, and inform policythat are central to both the mission of the University of Illinois Extensionand the Scholar’s host agency.  In particular, the position will work onproviding solutions through policy and public service on issues such asagricultural equity, digital equity, disaster preparedness and economic equity throughoutIllinois. This position will work to enhance the intersection of public serviceand public policy in order to improve the lives of those living in historicallyunderserved and underrepresented communities in Illinois. This position hasbeen designed to potentially provide job experience to a recent collegegraduate with a Master, PhD or professional degree between 2023 – spring of2026. Full time positions are available. Those selected for the positions willplaced in one of the following state or legislative offices and may be asked totravel to various areas of the state including locations where publictransportation may not be readily available.   Four full-time positions are available. Those selected for thepositions will placed in one of the following state or legislative offices. Location: Agency dependent – Position will behoused in either Chicago, Springfield, Urbana. Hybrid work is available butonsite work is required. Illinois Department of Commerceand Economic Opportunity, Office of Broadband DCEO’s mission is tosupport and maintain a climate that enables a strong economy for our customers— taxpayers, businesses, workers, and communities — by keeping, attracting, andgrowing businesses, maintaining a skilled workforce, and enhancing communitiesso that the climate here is one in which businesses, small and large, andworkers, can succeed to the greatest extent possible. Created in September2019, the Office of Broadband is housed within the Illinois Department ofCommerce and Economic Opportunity. As a primary charge, the office isresponsible for administering the Connect Illinois broadband infrastructuregrant program. In addition, the office will develop and administer relatedprogramming — such as in the areas of community planning and capacity buildingand digital literacy, adoption, and inclusion. The Illini Science PolicyScholar placed with DCEO, Office of Broadband will work on initiatives closelyaligned with the scholar’s interests and expertise and in support of highpriority Connect Illinois initiatives, with a focus on the Broadband Equity,Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. Areas of focus may include mapping anddata; finance and business analytics; digital access; processes & policy;or program design. Work may also support key efforts of the Illinois BroadbandLab, a collaboration between the DCEO Office of Broadband and University ofIllinois System.Illinois Department of Emergency Management Agency and Office ofHomeland Security The IllinoisEmergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS) strivesto better prepare the State of Illinois for natural, manmade or technologicaldisasters, hazards, or acts of terrorism. The Agency coordinates a broadspectrum of functions designed to create a better prepared state, including: <ol><li>Emergency Management: Coordinating the State's disaster mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery programs, functioning as the coordinating entity for the State of Illinois for all aspects of Emergency Management, and maintaining a 24-hour Communication Center and State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC).</li><li>Homeland Security: In collaboration with intra-agency public safety partners, researching, developing, and implementing programs, services, and providing information and analysis to safeguard communities against current and emerging natural, technological, and human-caused threats and risks to ensure preparedness and enhance resilience related to cyber and critical infrastructure.</li><li>Nuclear Safety: Protecting Illinois residents from the potentially harmful effects of ionizing radiation, administering more than two dozen programs to protect citizens and the environment including inspecting and regulating radioactive materials licensees, registering and inspecting radiation producing equipment and facilities statewide, accrediting medical radiation technologists, certifying mammography facilities, monitoring nuclear power reactors in Illinois, and inspecting and escorting spent nuclear fuel shipments. The Illini Science Policy Scholar at IEMA-OHS will provide professionalcontributions to inform research, technology enhancements, policy, andmanagement issues within IEMA-OHS under the Office of Emergency Management.They will have the opportunity to research and provide advice and guidance toAgency leadership on current matters of importance to the residents ofIllinois. </li></ol>Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus and Illinois Legislative LatinoCaucus Foundation The Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus works to empower IllinoisLatinos, assure equitable representation in the General Assembly and promotelegislative action directed to address those interests. ILLCF is a non-partisanand tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization established in 2002. The mission of theorganization is to foster the next generation of Latino leadership whileadvocating for the needs and wants of the community. Its long-term vision is toexpand its work by leveraging the connections of the Foundation to increasetheir social capital and provide financial and leadership opportunities so thatnew leaders can emerge, ensuring that the community directly informs theFoundation’s policy priorities. This ensures that the voices of the IllinoisLatinos are heard and advocated for, and provides the ILLCF board withopportunities to engage, learn, and experience the issue areas together topromote united advocacy efforts. The Foundation’s Board of Directors includesmembers of the Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus and others from IllinoisLatino communities. The Illini Science Policy Scholar placed with the ILLCFwill support the vision and mission of Illinois Latinos through communityengagement, data-informed programming, and comprehensive communication. Illinois Legislative Black Caucus and Illinois Legislative Black CaucusFoundation The Illinois Legislative Black Caucus Foundation (ILBCF) established in2002 has been at the forefront of addressing the needs of the Illinois' AfricanAmerican population. It serves as the civic and philanthropic are to theIllinois Legislative Black Caucus, founded in 1968 and who introduced the 4Pillars to End Systemic Racism in 2020.  The mission of the ILBCF isto provide a forum for non-partisan educational research, public policydevelopment, and analysis of various issues of social and economic importancefor Illinois African-American communities, and to provide students throughoutIllinois with scholarships and internship opportunities to advance theireducational goals. In this position the Illini Science Policy Scholar willsupport the vision and mission of the ILBCF through community engagement,research-informed programming, and focused and intentional communication. This is a security-sensitive position.  Comprehensive background checks, including but not limited to a criminalconviction information check, a CANTS check, and a review of the Registered SexOffender list, will be conducted.Duties and Responsibilities:ProgramPlanning, Delivery and Design<ul><li>Use research andevaluation findings to help inform policy and legislative action.</li><li>Assist with thedevelopment of educational materials / templates / guidebooks for resourceprioritization, policy, fundraising, and outreach.</li><li>Design and conductsurvey, focus groups to understand the needs of the communities served.</li><li>Design programmatic outreach throughwebinars, conferences, presentations that elevate the mission of IllinoisExtension and host agency.</li></ul>Research, Evaluation and Social MediaAwareness<ul><li>Use research andevaluation findings to help inform policy and legislative action.</li><li>Share principles ofevidence-based best practice with peers.</li><li>Prepare materialsfor use at listening sessions, town halls, and other community/civic events asdirected.</li><li>Assist in thedevelopment and maintenance of social media communications and web resources asdirected by host agencies. </li></ul>OrganizationalLeadership and Requirements <ul><li>Collaborate withcolleagues in Illinois Extension, legislative offices, state agencies, localgovernments, colleges and universities, Illinois communities, community-basedorganizations, and other stakeholders to conduct research and assist in thedevelopment of strategies, policies and action plans that address solutionsrelated to educational, agricultural, digital and/or economic equity.</li><li>Participate as apolicy support expert in planning and implementing programs that address publicpolicy priorities for Illinois Extension and/or your legislative or stateagency.</li></ul>Other Information<ul><li>Assist unit staffwith gathering program participant demographic information to ensure compliancewith civil rights reporting requirements.</li><li>Comply with allreporting deadlines and requirements as outlined by the Director of the IlliniScience Policy Program (e.g. plans-of-work, activity and impact reporting,etc.).</li><li>Perform otherduties that contribute to the mission of University of Illinois Extensionprogramming, as assigned.</li><li>Local, regional,statewide, and (limited) interstate travel required. </li></ul>Physical Demands To perform the functions of this position, the employee willbe required to perform work both within an office and outside in thecommunities that are served and must have the capability to travel from onelocation to the other in a timely fashion.  Employee is responsible forsecuring personal transportation.  A valid driver’s license ispreferred.  Some work will be required during evenings and/orweekends.  When working, the employee may be exposed to a variety ofenvironmental factors to include, but not limited to, hot or cold weather,exposure to noise and allergens, and uneven ground.  In performing thefunctions of this position, the employee may be subjected to various mental andphysical demands as well to include, but not limited to, independentlytraveling to and performing work at different locations, ability to move,transfer and/or transport items that may occasionally weigh up to forty (40)pounds and frequently weigh up to twenty (20) pounds, and twisting, pushing andpulling movements. More detailed information regarding the functions of thisposition (including the physical, mental, and environmental requirements of theposition) may be obtained from Human Resources for the College of Agricultural,Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) by contacting hr@aces.illinois.edu.AdministrativeRelationship The Visiting Extension Outreach Associate, Illini Science PolicyScholar is administratively and programmatically responsible to the Director ofthe Illini Science Policy Program.<h4>Minimum Qualifications</h4>Education:<ul><li>Master’s or Doctoral Degree, or professional degree. </li></ul>Experience:<ul><li>Experience engaging in a community setting.</li></ul><h4> Preferred Qualifications:</h4><ul><li>Most recent degree is from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of Illinois Chicago, Or University of Illinois Springfield.</li></ul><h4>Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:</h4><ul><li>Strong communication skills. Strong interpersonal skills. Ability to work independently and within a team environment.</li><li>An understanding of federal and state government. Understanding of land-grant University Extension and ability to work effectively within Extension system.</li></ul>AppointmentInformation Sponsorship forwork authorization is not available for this position. The positions are temporary, one-year, full-time, benefits-eligible,non-tenure academic professional positions. Positions will begin Summer 2026. Position may have the option to be renewedfor an additional year dependent on funding or programmatic needs. Salary is$50,000 annually for positions located in Urbana and Springfield. Salary is $55,000for positions located in Chicago. Generousvacation and sick leave. State Universities Retirement System. Group health,dental, vision and life insurance.ApplicationProcedures & Deadline Information Applications must bereceived by 6:00 pm (CST) on February 26, 2026. Apply for this positionusing the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. Please upload a resume,cover letter, and the names and contact information for three professionalreferences. Resumedates submitted must be in month/year format and employment history, ata minimum, should include all work dating back to the completion of yourundergraduate degree. Positions that were less than full-time/100% must benoted as being part-time. Transcripts may be requested at a later date. Applications not submitted through <a href="https://jobs.illinois.edu">https://jobs.illinois.edu</a> will not be considered. For further information about the positionsplease contact Search Chair Beth Welbes at echamb@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the applicationprocess, please contact 217-333-2137. At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign — the state’s flagship public university and one of the world’s leading research institutions — every staff member helps shape what’s next. Founded in 1867, Illinois is home to a vibrant community of 59,000 students from all 50 states and 129 countries, supported by 15 colleges and instructional units, more than 20 research institutes, and one of the most comprehensive student service ecosystems in the nation. Whether you’re empowering first-generation students, fueling breakthrough innovation, or strengthening communities across Illinois and beyond, your work here has a far-reaching and deeply meaningful impact. The university offers a highly competitive benefits package designed to support your well-being, growth, and financial security. Join a top 10 public university that has launched over 330 startups and continues to redefine excellence — where the Illinois Value Proposition ensures that your contributions are recognized, your potential is nurtured, and your career can thrive.<a href="https://makeitcu.com/" title="https://makeitcu.com/">Champaign-Urbana</a>Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.This position is intended to be <a href="https://go.illinois.edu/workatillinois">eligible for benefits</a>. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.<hr>The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit <a href="https://go.uillinois.edu/noticesandposters" target="_blank">Required Employment Notices and Posters</a> to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through <a href="https://www.e-verify.gov/sites/default/files/everify/posters/EVerifyParticipationPoster.pdf" target="_blank">E-Verify</a>.Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the <a href="http://go.illinois.edu/accommodationportal" title="http://go.illinois.edu/accommodationportal">reasonable accommodation portal</a>, or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885, option #1, or <a title="mailto:accessibility@illinois.edu">accessibility@illinois.edu</a>.<hr>Requisition ID: 1034557 Job Category: Off-Campus Apply at: <a href="https://jobs.illinois.edu">https://jobs.illinois.edu</a><a name="HEJobs" type="hidden" value=""></a><a name="Billing_Name" type="hidden" value=""></a><a name="Billing_Email" type="hidden" value=""></a>

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University of Illinois

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https://illinois.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/16107?c=illinois

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