Position Description

INTRODUCTION 

The Evaluation Specialist (Assistant Extension Professor) provides leadership for Extension program evaluation. The Specialist will report to the Associate Dean for UConn Extension. The Specialist advances the field of program evaluation by designing and testing methods that lead to improved capacity to measure outcomes of UConn Extension programs. The Specialist designs and delivers education programs and non-credit courses for UConn Extension faculty, staff, and administrators to increase their capacity to evaluate programs aligned with The College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources’s (CAHNR) strategic vision and initiatives. The Specialist contributes to CAHNR’s efforts to effectively communicate Extension’s impact and public value to internal and external stakeholders.

Founded in 1881, UConn is a Land Grant and Sea Grant institution and member of the Space Grant Consortium. It is the state’s flagship institution of higher education and includes a main campus in Storrs, CT, four regional campuses throughout the state, and 13 Schools and Colleges, including a Law School in Hartford, and Medical and Dental Schools at the UConn Health campus in Farmington. The University has approximately 10,000 faculty and staff and 32,000 students, including nearly 24,000 undergraduates and over 8,000 graduate and professional students. UConn is a Carnegie Foundation R1 (highest research activity) institution, among the top 25 public universities in the nation. Through research, teaching, service, and outreach, UConn embraces diversity and cultivates leadership, integrity, and engaged citizenship in its students, faculty, staff, and alumni. UConn promotes the health and well-being of citizens by enhancing the social, economic, cultural, and natural environments of the state and beyond. The University serves as a beacon of academic and research excellence as well as a center for innovation and social service to communities. UConn is a leader in many scholarly, research, and innovation areas. Today, the path forward includes exciting opportunities and notable challenges. Record numbers of undergraduate applications and support for student success have enabled the University to become extraordinarily selective.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and test standardized metrics, tools, and evaluation methods and/or systems that will lead to the creation of aggregated statewide datasets for Extension programs aligned with CAHNR’s strategic vision and initiatives.
• Develop and teach non-credit curriculum in the areas of program evaluation, program planning, survey design, and reporting in a format suitable for online delivery through a digital credential platform.
• Apply evaluation expertise to guide the development of UConn Extension’s federal Plan of Work and Annual Report of Accomplishments.
• Actively engage with CAHNR faculty pursuing external funding for integrated proposals including serving as the lead evaluator on externally funded projects, as appropriate based on the project, the needs of the project team, and time available to commit given the other duties and responsibilities of this position.
• Advance CAHNR’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice by using evaluation methods that assess UConn Extension’s efforts to provide programming for all and reduce inequities and disparities that exist in Connecticut’s communities.
• Write, publish, and share peer-reviewed journal articles, curricula, fact sheets, evaluation tools, and program designs that contribute to understanding and supporting the scholarly practices of evaluation.
• Attend and actively engage in state and national program activities as appropriate, including meetings, committees, and conferences.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• A Ph.D. in a field with a strong evaluation emphasis such as agricultural or extension education, economics, rural sociology, or related fields by the time of hire.
• Demonstrated ability to plan and implement program evaluations.
• Demonstrated analytical skills such as statistical analysis, economic impacts, needs assessment, program planning, and evaluation.
• Experience with quantitative and qualitative evaluation methods.
• Experience with survey design and online survey data software programs, including Qualtrics.
• Able to work independently and as an engaged and collegial team member.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Effective interpersonal skills.
• Ability to travel to various sites across the state.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience planning, implementing, and/or evaluating Extension programs.
• Experience publishing evaluation data in scholarly formats.
• Experience teaching others to develop program plans, evaluate programs, and/or how to design surveys.
• A record demonstrating success in writing and implementing evaluation plans for externally funded projects.

APPOINTMENT TERMS

This is a full-time, 11-month, non-tenure-track position. This position is subject to annual renewal based on performance and available funding. Full funding is anticipated for the first three years. Thereafter, the selected candidate would need to maintain 20% self-funding through grants. 

The successful candidate's academic appointment will be at the Storrs campus with anticipated travel required to Extension sites across the state. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. Other rights, terms, and conditions of employment are contained in the collective bargaining agreement between the University of Connecticut Board of Trustees and the University of Connecticut Chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP). 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.

TO APPLY

Please apply online and submit the following application materials:

• A cover letter,
• Curriculum vitae,
• Philosophy of Extension statement (beliefs about the role of Extension at a land-grant university);
• Commitment to diversity statement (including broadening participation, integrating multicultural experiences in instruction and research and pedagogical techniques to meet the needs of diverse learning styles, etc.);
• Three letters of reference.

Preference will be given to applicants applying by September 15, 2023. Evaluation of applicants will begin immediately. For more information regarding CAHNR please visit the College's website at https://cahnr.uconn.edu/.

At the University of Connecticut, our commitment to excellence is complemented by our commitment to building a culturally diverse community.

This position will be filled subject the budgetary approval.

All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics which may be found at http://www.ct.gov/ethics/site/default.asp.

All members of the University of Connecticut are expected to exhibit appreciation of, and contribute to, an inclusive, respectful, and diverse environment for the University community.

The University of Connecticut aspires to create a community built on collaboration and belonging and has actively sought to create an inclusive culture within the workforce.  The success of the University is dependent on the willingness of our diverse employee and student populations to share their rich perspectives and backgrounds in a respectful manner.  This makes it essential for each member of our community to feel secure and welcomed and to thoroughly understand and believe that their ideas are respected by all.  We strongly respect each individual employee’s unique experiences and perspectives and encourage all members of the community to do the same.  All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

The University of Connecticut is an AA/EEO Employer.