Field Specialist in Agricultural Business - Southeast Region, MO

Hiring Department University of Missouri (MU) Office of Extension and Engagement Agriculture and Environment Extension Program Job Description MU TITLE: Assistant/Associate/Full Extension Professional LOCATION: Oregon, Ripley, Butler, Carter, Shannon, Reynolds, Iron, Wayne, Madison Counties in the Southeast Region, with additional service across the state as needed. Specialist Emphasis This position is responsible for planning, implementing, and evaluating educational programs that support agricultural and agribusiness development and expansion in ways that improve Missourians’ quality of life and enhance the economic viability of Missouri enterprises while protecting the environment and the state’s natural resources. These efforts may involve: Assisting agricultural operators and agribusinesses with decision‑making, financial management, taxes, and risk mitigation as they start, expand, or diversify their businesses. Assessing new business opportunities and emerging economic issues faced by producers, landowners, and businesses. Offering technical assistance contracts, often in collaboration with state specialists, that support efforts such as business plans, marketing plans, feasibility studies, surveys, and more. Connecting appropriate regional and state partners with an agricultural business owner when an economic development opportunity arises. Effective specialists will apply interdisciplinary knowledge and collaborate with respective regional producer groups, state and local agricultural support entities, and other relevant organizations to leverage efforts and funding opportunities. Job Status This position is a 12‑month, ranked, non‑tenure track appointment at the rank of assistant, associate, or full Extension Professional. Rank will be determined at the time of the appointment based on qualifications and experience in accordance with the MU Extension faculty standards. This position will hold a working title of Field Specialist in Agricultural Business. As a Field Specialist, your workload distribution at appointment will be 90% Extension Teaching and 10% Traditional Service. This appointment is renewable annually at the discretion of the University and workload distribution may change at the discretion of Extension leadership. Circumstances affecting continued employment include, but are not limited to, work performance, fund availability, and educational priorities. Core Duties of MU Extension Specialists Educate: Design, conduct, and evaluate educational programs. Teach research‑based information via meetings, in‑person and online courses, continuing education classes, technical assistance, volunteer training, media, websites, consultation, and other educational methods. Provide educational programs that support the individual, organizational, and community goals of Missouri’s learners and clients. Create: Develop innovative and research‑informed educational products, services, materials, and other scholarly works. These include curricula, publications, presentations, educational tools, websites, and similar resources. Obtain and use extramural funding to support creative works. Contribute to the scholarship of Extension and Engagement by evaluating programs that result in learning and behavior changes that impact individuals and communities. Connect: Engage with learners, stakeholders, volunteers, and communities, including county extension councils, government officials and agencies, partners, and University and professional organizations. Listen and respond with care. Intentionally foster engaged partnerships and robust connections to the wide array of programs offered by the whole University of Missouri System. Professional Expectations Engage with stakeholders in all coverage counties to identify educational needs and then collaborate with appropriate internal and external partners to meet programming needs, incorporating timely marketing strategies. Create an annual plan‑of‑work that reflects local needs and aligns with statewide program area efforts. Provide a monthly report for assigned county extension councils, supervisors, county commissioners and others, regarding programmatic efforts. Attend at least one county extension council meeting each month and provide a program review with feedback and analysis for the respective coverage area. Collaborate with campus‑based specialists on research projects and then deliver findings from those efforts via demonstrations, field days, courses, workshops, consultations, publications, and appropriate media. Effectively work with supervisors, other specialists, and local leaders to complete administrative tasks as needed to support county efforts. Demonstrate competency in communication, educational programming, subject matter knowledge, educational delivery, volunteer management, grant acquisition, teamwork, interpersonal relations, organization knowledge, leadership, and professionalism. Offer timely, research‑based information during times of natural disasters or unexpected catastrophic events. Represent the University of Missouri on boards and committees for assigned program area. Participate in professional development events to improve both technical and leadership skills. Other duties and responsibilities as assigned to support the mission of MU Extension. Additional Expectations Travel regularly throughout Missouri and occasionally to out‑of‑state locations. Specialists must have a valid Missouri driver’s license, a legally operating vehicle, and wireless telephone/data service for university use. Specialists receive reimbursement for approved travel expenses, per University of Missouri policy. Programs often occur outside of normal business hours. Specialists should expect to attend these events as needed to meet the needs of learners, clients, and stakeholders. Qualifications An earned Master’s or other applicable terminal degree (MBA or Ph.D.) in agricultural economics, agricultural business, agricultural marketing, business administration, business management or related field at time of appointment. Experience working with a variety of audiences. Equal Employment Opportunity The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Benefit Eligibility This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit Applicant Information & Sponsorship Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. The University will not sponsor applicants for this position for employment visas. #J-18808-Ljbffr The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.