Urban Extension Specialist

Urban Extension Specialist

The Ohio State University  

Columbus, OH

The Ohio State University Extension is hiring an urban Extension scholar, focusing on problems that are experienced differentially based on race and class within urban environments across Ohio. This position will address the OSU RAISE theme of Race, Economic Opportunity, and Leadership and will foster a dynamic hub of innovation linking the priorities of urban communities with the many established and emerging college and campus assets.

This position will be a senior level faculty member and will have an Extension appointment (60%) to leverage the expertise of College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) and other urban-focused university professionals in equitably engaging communities and advancing equitable opportunity. Extension activities will be focused on cooperative relationships with urban Extension educators, and diverse community representatives to identify and better understand critical racial disparities and develop opportunities for enhancing equity outcomes. The balance of the appointment (40%) will be devoted to applied research and teaching to advance the understanding of equity in the complex urban environment.

This position’s primary purposes are to foster a deeper understanding of race, economic opportunity, and leadership in the urban context through equitable engagement and to advance equitable opportunity by raising the visibility and accessibility of the expertise and resources available through OSU to address issues affecting urban residents and their communities. The position will advance the university’s efforts to coordinate and facilitate community-engaged research and relevant programming to address equity in the areas of food, health and wellness, environment, economic and workforce development, community leadership, and other concerns facing Ohio’s urban communities. This aligns with OSU’s vision focused on being the model 21st-century public, land grant, research, urban, community-engaged institution.

An urban specialist will enable additional coordination of Extension scholarship efforts in urban spaces to address race and educational opportunity, as well as economic opportunity and leadership.

The minimum qualification for this position is an earned Ph.D. in urban studies, urban affairs, urban policy, community development, city and regional planning, or discipline applicable to the duties and responsibilities outlined. Direct or indirect experience with University Extension preferred. Candidates with demonstrated potential to exhibit leadership, applied research, and partnership in equitable community engagement, food equity, healthy equity, environmental equity, or related focus are encouraged to apply. Teaching or Extension-outreach experience, grant-writing skills, and managerial expertise are also desirable.

Initial application deadline is April 15, with review of applications continuing until the position is filled. Complete applications include: 1) a cover letter describing interest in the position, 2) curriculum vitae with names, postal addresses, phone numbers, and emails for three professional references, 3) statement of research interests and goals (2-pg limit), 4) statement of Extension philosophy and goals (2-pg limit), and 5) statement of experience working with diverse audiences and contributions to or potential ideas for advancing a culture of equity and inclusion. https://osujoblinks.com/1d85

Inquiries about the position are welcomed and may be addressed to the Urban Extension Search Committee at fox.264@osu.edu

For further application instructions, please see: hr.osu.edu/wp-content/uploads/applicant-faq.pdf

The Ohio State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDS status, military status, national origin, race, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy, protected veteran status, or any other bases under the law. Applicants are encouraged to complete and submit the Equal Employment Identification form.