Extension Educator, Urban Stormwater

Title: Extension Educator, Urban Stormwater

Job code: 9624NR

Employee Group: P&A

Full/Part Time (FTE): 100% FTE

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Office location: University of Minnesota St. Paul Campus

Estimated salary range: $68,000 - $78,000 annually

Apply by: May 18, 2026

This Urban Stormwater Extension Educator will bring in-depth expertise to address complex water management issues related to urban stormwater management and community resiliency. They will develop, deliver, implement, and evaluate online and in-person educational programs to educate audiences about stormwater practices and policies. The programs will focus on two major audiences: 1) stormwater professionals and practitioners, and 2) local, watershed, and state policy leaders.

These programs may include seminars, workshops, courses, and materials such as newsletters, fact sheets, articles, blog posts, and podcasts. The educator will lead or contribute to existing and new educational programs in direct support of the Minnesota Stormwater Research Program and includes programs such as the Clean Sweep Program, stormwater practice inspection maintenance certification course, the Minnesota Stormwater Seminar Series, and other programs addressing urban stormwater needs for Minnesota. The Educator is responsible for program development, delivery, and evaluation in cooperation with other teams at the University and with partners across the state. This position will collaborate with research faculty, but will not lead research projects or supervise research staff.

This University of Minnesota Extension position is a collaborative appointment with Minnesota Sea Grant (MNSG), a system-wide program across the University of Minnesota, and the University of Minnesota Water Resources Center (WRC), a unit of the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences and University of Minnesota Extension. MNSG and the WRC have complementary missions that have led to a growing set of joint activities. This Extension Educator will advance MNSG-WRC collaboration in a significant way by developing unified Extension programming that contributes to mutual goals.

The educator will collaborate with diverse organizations to identify, develop, implement, and evaluate educational programs that will have a measurable impact on water resources and community resiliency by engaging with water professionals, policy-makers, local governments, and others in urban communities across the state. The educator will also collaborate with other educators at the Water Resources Center (WRC) and Minnesota Sea Grant (MNSG). The position will require working with a range of public, private, and non-profit stakeholders including:

• Water resource professionals;
• Diverse stormwater organizations, including industry and non-profits; and
• Water resource professionals, federal, state, and local government agencies, such as the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Board of Water and Soil Resources, watershed districts, watershed management organizations, and city and county governments.

This position is accountable to the program leader for the WRC Extension water team for program direction, performance evaluation, and personnel actions. This position is jointly funded by the WRC and MNSG, and the program leaders of the WRC and MNSG Extension teams collaborate to provide program direction and contribute to evaluations for this position. Long-term success will be evaluated through the Extension promotion process.

The Extension Educator, Urban Stormwater will be housed on the University of Minnesota's St. Paul campus. Although the position is located on the St. Paul campus, this position will work on activities and programs across the state. The position will have the opportunity for flexible work, including in-office, remote, and in-field work. There is an expectation of a minimum of three days of work in-person.

This is a full-time, 40-hour per week position. There may be some evening and weekend work required due to the needs of the audiences with which we work. This position will be expected to travel locally 1-2 days every other week, on day trips within Minnesota about 3-4 times per month; overnight trips within Minnesota about 1-2 times per month, for 1-3 nights; and trips outside of Minnesota about 1-2 times per year. The position will be asked to travel to Duluth 1-2 times per month to connect with relevant partners, plan activities, and host events. Most of these trips can be done in a day.

Percentages listed below express the relative workload for these tasks. They may vary slightly depending on the evolving needs of the position and experience of the individual hired, and other duties may be assigned. Throughout all of this work, this role is expected to collaborate with new, diverse, and historically underserved audiences to develop programs that are customized to the needs of different cultural communities.

• Design, develop, deliver, and evaluate evidence-based educational programs to advance urban stormwater management and community resiliency across Minnesota.
• Identify educational needs and audiences and design educational curricula and materials to meet those needs.
• Teach at in-person and online Extension and partner programs so attendees can gain knowledge and skills and change behavior.
• Provide research-based educational programs and information using a variety of technologies and platforms to optimize audience engagement and learning.
• Collaborate with communications staff at the Water Resources Center, Minnesota Sea Grant, and UMN Extension to design, develop and implement program materials and marketing via websites and social media
• Evaluate and report on the impact of this work and how it may need to change in the future.
• Participate in UMN Extension, professional, and community service opportunities.

• Develop and maintain effective state, regional, national, industry, and university partnerships that further the development and delivery of stormwater-focused technology transfer and education programs.
• Foster and contribute to a positive work climate with colleagues, advisory groups, audiences, and partnerships.
• Participate in team meetings and serve on committees and boards.

• Collaborate on applied research with partners, graduate students, and University faculty (e.g., the researchers funded by the stormwater program).
• Share research findings through project reports, newsletters, websites, social media posts, and podcasts.

• A master's degree in water resources sciences; hydrology; civil, environmental, or biosystems engineering; watershed science, management and policy; environmental education; urban or regional planning; or closely related fields relevant to water management and water quality.
• Two (2) or more years of professional work experience in urban stormwater management.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate complex scientific information clearly and concisely in appropriate formats for various audiences, particularly in urban stormwater or other water-related sectors.
• A proven ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships and collaborations with colleagues, partners, and stakeholders, including those that may have diverse missions, goals, cultures, and backgrounds.
• Excellent communications skills in English, including oral, written, and graphic/image formats and the ability to use technology to enhance learning.

• 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.
• The person in this position will be working in office and field environments, resulting in a need to traverse terrain (typically in or near water or wet areas) and work in various weather conditions.
• When not in the assigned office location, employees must be reachable with a mobile number at the employee's own expense. That number will be published in the Extension staff directory.
• Ability to maintain a flexible work schedule, including occasional evening or weekend work.
• Must have reliable internet when working outside of assigned office location.
• Must be able to travel within the designated communities and provide in-person programming; including transporting of supplies frequently, and other people rarely.
• This position will travel locally frequently, in state somewhat frequently, and out of state rarely; see location information below for requirements for travel for this role.
• Ability to perform tasks involving frequent repetitive motions, prolonged sitting, standing, bending, twisting, lifting, and carrying 20 pounds frequently, with occasional exertion of up to thirty pounds of force.
• Ability to work on a computer for prolonged periods of time.
• This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship.

• Experience designing, delivering, and evaluating educational programs in urban stormwater management, specifically related to stormwater runoff and pollutants and stormwater BMPs including stormwater ponds, street sweeping, and others.
• Experience developing programs for diverse populations and communities.
• Experience in applied research and project management.
• Strong educational background in water science.

This University of Minnesota Extension position is a part of the Extension water team at the University of Minnesota Water Resources Center (WRC). The WRC is an interdisciplinary unit of the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences and University of Minnesota Extension. As one of 54 National Institutes for Water Resources, the WRC serves as Minnesota's trusted water hub, bridging research and practice to advance water science and policy. The Water Resources Center ensures Minnesota's water decisions are grounded in rigorous, locally relevant research-delivered through trusted relationships and informed by practitioner needs. WRC researchers and educators work toward a Minnesota where every water decision-from farm fields to state policy-is made in the interest of all who depend on Minnesota water. A national leader in water research, education, and extension, the WRC's investments in networks of deep trust between researchers and practitioners has led to demonstrable impacts in evidence-based management of critical water infrastructure, drinking water, aquatic ecosystems, and agricultural landscapes.

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 at https://extension.umn.edu/

Minnesota Sea Grant (MNSG) is a systemwide program of the University of Minnesota and one of 34 federal-university Sea Grant partnerships across the country that bring applied water science to communities. MNSG's mission is to engage with communities along Lake Superior and Minnesota's inland waters to understand water science needs, support scientific research to address those needs, and provide results to communities to help them apply science-based knowledge to solve problems, support and enhance local economies, and sustain ecosystem services for future generations.

MNSG's extension educators, researchers and communicators work with community members, local decision-makers, policy leaders, and personnel from resource agencies, business and industry to protect, enhance and restore habitats, ecosystems and the services those ecosystems provide. We are what makes the University of Minnesota a Sea Grant institution.

Pay Range: $68,000 - $78,000; 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
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

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

This position will remain open until filled.

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

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

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