Extension Educator, Health & Nutrition - St. Cloud

About the Job

Title: Extension Educator, Health & Nutrition

Extension Department for Family, Health and Wellbeing

Job Code: Assistant Extension Professor (job code 9624FP)

Employee Group: Academic professional, annually renewable

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Office Location: St. Cloud, MN

Estimated salary range: $74,000 - $88,000

Apply By: August 23, 2026

About the Job

To help bridge the gap between community wellness and clinical care, chronic disease prevention plays a vital role in advancing public health outcomes. In this role, the Health and Nutrition Extension Educator will adopt a public health etiology lens to create and execute evidence-based initiatives. These systems-level programs will focus on wellness at the community level, healthcare accessibility, and chronic disease prevention, ensuring alignment with community medicine priorities and broader National Health Extension dialogues. Key responsibilities include cultivating cross-sector partnerships and collaborations with healthcare institutions, providing training to clinicians and community partners, assisting and partnering with stakeholders, providing direct instruction, and connecting with public policymakers to inform change at a systems and policy level. As part of the Extension promotion track, educators are expected to maintain an ongoing commitment to professional growth within their research-based domain or through scholarship, construct an annual plan of work, and document yearly activities alongside their measurable impacts.

This is a full-time position. The person in this position will report to the Program Leader for Health and Nutrition. This educator will be in the St. Cloud Regional office, and programming will also be conducted in person within 100 miles of St. Cloud. When not programming in the communities, the position is expected to work in the office. Travel to partnering communities is expected and compensated. This is not a remote position or eligible for visa employment sponsorship.

Primary Responsibilities

Program Development and Teaching (35%)

• Lead community assessment efforts, encompassing needs assessments, identifying how systemic and environmental factors impact programs, and determining potential effects of structural and governmental policies on population-level health outcomes.
• Design, implement, evaluate, and adapt a continuum of nutrition and wellbeing initiatives for chronic disease prevention and management at the individual, family, and community level.
• Cultivate cross-sector partnerships and collaborations with healthcare institutions, providing training to clinicians and community partners, assisting and partnering with stakeholders, providing direct instruction, and connecting with public policymakers to inform change at a systems and policy level.
• Work collaboratively with clinical care teams to promote self-management strategies and person-centered care that reduce risks and optimize health outcomes across the lifespan.
• Actively seek a better understanding of emerging health and nutrition issues, public health approaches, tribal ways of knowing, and new research and strategies in order to develop education programs that meet the needs of audiences.
• Work with the Family, Health and Wellbeing Communications Team to develop and implement communication plans related to programs.
• Provide program leadership on statewide or national programs, projects, or priorities as assigned.

Public Engagement and Relationship Development (35%)

• Collaborate with other Extension personnel regionally, statewide, or nationally to enhance program delivery.
• Prioritizes family and community input to identify and address needs linked to social determinants of health, adapting research-supported health and nutrition initiatives for the prevention of chronic diseases.
• Leverage relationship-building and networking skills to cultivate partnerships with community organizations to identify place-based solutions that are responsive to health and nutrition-related issues and to promote policy, system, and environmental (PSE) changes.
• Develop and participate in state and national Extension, professional, and community networks and organizations for collaborative programming and collective impacts.

Research and Scholarship (30%)

• Contribute to the research and scholarship in health and nutrition, including (but not limited to):

• Leading literature reviews and environmental scans to understand the current gaps in the field

• Integrating academic scholarship related to H&N programs into practical educational activities that meet the needs of communities across Minnesota

• Conducting comprehensive, systematic, and ongoing evaluation of educational activities for program improvement

• Writing scholarly publications

• Writing research-informed curriculum and other educational resources

• Presenting at juried national conferences.

• Engage with Extension Specialists and other faculty to better inform research and scholarship efforts.

• Garner funds and resources to support H&N educational programs through grants, contracts, and other revenue generating models.

• Make and document contributions to the four criteria for promotion in Extension academic rank: program leadership, extension teaching, service and engagement, and scholarship.

Other Responsibilities Assigned as Needed

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree at time of application in dietetics, community health, nutrition, public health, or a closely related discipline.
• Three years of experience in teaching, community organizing, community health promotion, or community education.
• Demonstrated experience in building, sustaining, and leveraging cross-sector partnerships with community organizations to foster collaborative relationships and achieve program goals.
• Proven ability to assess community needs, develop effective outreach and educational strategies, and adapt programs to provide relevant health and nutrition content for multiple audiences.
• Skills in planning, organizing, problem solving, and successfully handling multiple tasks under pressure of deadline.
• Evidence of scholarly contributions to field and practice
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience using distance technologies and to market and deliver educational programming, information-gathering, program delivery, and/or reporting.

Additional Requirements

• Valid driver's license and reliable vehicle with required liability insurance, to be utilized for frequent travel within Minnesota and infrequent travel outside Minnesota.
• Must be able to drive up to approximately 500 miles per month within the designated communities and for in-person engagement. Must be able to drive around the state 12 months/year, and have 12-18 overnight stays each year.
• Personal cell phone that can be used, as needed, for work purposes.
• Ability to maintain a flexible work schedule, including an occasional evening or weekend work, to meet the special needs of programs.
• Access to a reliable internet connection while working remotely.

Preferred Qualifications

• Registered dietitian or advanced training in nutrition, public health, or related field.
• Experience working in a program that serves individuals experiencing issues and challenges related to living on a limited income.
• Training in Prevention, Mindfulness, Motivational Interviewing, and evidence-based behavioral support strategies.
• Experience with writing, securing, managing, and implementing grants and contracts.
• Experience using distance technologies and social media to market and deliver educational programming.
• Demonstrated experience with applying or integrating data informed, research-based knowledge into program design, delivery, and evaluation across a variety of educational platforms.

About the Department

University of Minnesota Extension is a major outreach arm of the University of Minnesota, a land grant institution 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. Find further information on the Extension website.

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: $74,000 - $88,000; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and 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

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

How To Apply

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

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

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

Employment Requirements

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.

About University of Minnesota

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nations most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.