Agricultural Business Extension Specialist

Hiring Department University of Missouri (MU) Office of Extension andEngagement Agricultural and Business Policy Program Job Description MU TITLE: Assistant/Associate/Full ExtensionProfessional LOCATION: Unionville, Missouri, and primarily serves Putnam,Schuyler, Scotland, Clark, Sullivan, Adair, Knox, Lewis, and Linn Counties in the NortheastRegion, with additional service across the state as needed. Specialist Emphasis This position is responsible for planning, implementing, andevaluating educational programs that support agricultural andagribusiness development and expansion in ways that improveMissourian’s quality of life and enhance the economic viability ofMissouri enterprises while protecting the environment and thestate’s natural resources. These efforts may involve: Assisting agricultural operators and agribusinesses withdecision-making, financial management, taxes, and risk mitigationas they start, expand, or diversify their businesses, Assessing new business opportunities and emerging economicissues faced by producers, landowners, and businesses, Offering technical assistance contracts, often in collaborationwith state specialists, that support efforts such as businessplans, marketing plans, feasibility studies, surveys, etc.,and Connecting appropriate regional and state partners with anagricultural business owner when an economic developmentopportunity arises. Effective specialists will apply interdisciplinary knowledge andcollaborate with respective regional producer groups, state andlocal agricultural support entities, and other relevantorganizations to leverage efforts and funding opportunities. This position is a 12-month, ranked, non-tenure track appointmentat the rank of assistant, associate, or full ExtensionProfessional. Rank will be determined at the time of theappointment based on qualifications and experience in accordancewith the MU Extension faculty standards. This position will hold aworking title of Field Specialist in Agricultural Business. As a Field Specialist, your workload distribution at appointmentwill be 90% Extension Teaching and 10% Traditional Service. This appointment is renewable annually at the discretion of theUniversity and workload distribution may change at the discretionof Extension leadership. Circumstances affecting continuedemployment include, but are not limited to, work performance, fundavailability, and educational priorities.

CORE DUTIES OF MU EXTENSION SPECIALISTS

MU Extension Specialists deliver the University of Missouri to allMissourians. They serve all Missourians by bringing research-basedsolutions to work on local problems. MU Extension Specialists teachnew and foundational concepts, link people to resources, supportpartner organizations, participate in research, train volunteers,evaluate programs, foster innovation, and serve communities. MUExtension Specialists work as a team to expand educationalattainment, foster economic development, and improve healthoutcomes. These core duties fall into three major areas: Educate, Create, and Connect . Educate . MU Extension specialists design, conduct, andevaluate educational programs. MU Extension specialists teachresearch-based information via meetings, in-person, and onlinecourses, continuing education classes, technical assistance,volunteer training, media, websites, consultation, and othereducational methods. They provide educational programs that supportthe individual, organizational, and community goals of Missouri’slearners and clients. Create . MU Extension specialists develop innovative andresearch-informed educational products, services, materials, andother scholarly works. These include curricula, publications,presentations, educational tools, websites, and similar resources.MU Extension specialists obtain and use extramural funding tosupport creative works. MU Extension specialists contribute to thescholarship of Extension and Engagement by evaluating programs thatresult in learning and behavior changes that impact individuals andcommunities. Connect . MU Extension specialists engage with learners,stakeholders, volunteers, and communities, including countyextension councils, government officials and agencies, partners,and University and professional organizations. MU Extensionspecialists listen and respond with care. MU Extension specialistsintentionally foster engaged partnerships and robust connections tothe wide array of programs offered by the whole University ofMissouri System. Professional Expectations Engage with stakeholders in all coverage counties to identifyeducational needs and then collaborate with appropriate internaland external partners to meet programming needs, incorporatingtimely marketing strategies. Create an annual plan-of-work that reflects local needs andaligns with statewide program area efforts. Provide a monthlyreport for assigned county extension councils, supervisors, countycommissioners and others, regarding programmatic efforts. Attend atleast one county extension council meeting each month and provide aprogram review with feedback and analysis for the respectivecoverage area. Collaborate with campus-based specialists on research projectsand then deliver findings from those efforts via demonstrations,field days, courses, workshops, consultations, publications, andappropriate media. Effectively work with supervisors, other specialists, and localleaders to complete administrative tasks as needed to supportcounty efforts. Demonstrate competency in communication, educationalprogramming, subject matter knowledge, educational delivery,volunteer management, grant acquisition, teamwork, interpersonalrelations, organization knowledge, leadership, andprofessionalism. Offer timely, research-based information during times ofnatural disasters or unexpected catastrophic events. Represent the University of Missouri on boards and committeesfor assigned program area. Participate in professional development events to improve bothtechnical and leadership skills. Other duties and responsibilities as assigned to support themission of MU Extension. Additional Expectations MU Extension Specialists travel regularly throughout Missouriand occasionally to out-of-state locations. MU Extension requiresspecialists to have a valid Missouri driver’s license, a legallyoperating vehicle, and wireless telephone/data service foruniversity use. MU Extension specialists receive reimbursement forapproved travel expenses, per University of Missouri policy. MU Extension programs often occur outside of normal businesshours. MU Extension Specialists should expect to attend theseevents as needed to meet the needs of learners, clients, andstakeholders.

MU EXTENSION LEADERSHIP RECEIVED

The Senior Program Director for Agriculture and Environmentprovides overall programmatic leadership. Programmatic supervisioncomes from the Education Director for the Agricultural and BusinessPolicy Program with administrative oversight from the RegionalDirector for the Northeast Region.

MU EXTENSION INFORMATION

The University of Missouri (MU) Office of Extension andEngagement’s distinct land-grant mission is to improve lives,communities, and economies by producing relevant, reliable, andresponsive educational strategies throughout Missouri. Ourdedicated and knowledgeable specialists and staff collaborate withresearchers and community leaders to develop and deliver programsthat address the needs of Missourians, including educationalattainment, economic development, and healthy people. For moreinformation about MU Extension and Engagement, please visit .

UNIVERSITY INFORMATION

The University of Missouri, also known as Mizzou and MU, is theFlagship University of the four-campus University of MissouriSystem. It is one of the state’s land-grant universities. MU’scomprehensive undergraduate programs and its graduate,professional, and research programs attract an annual enrollment ofmore than 30,000 students. MU Extension and Engagement programs arelocated on all four campuses and in 114 counties and St. Louiscity. Qualifications An earned Master’s or other applicable terminal degrees MBA orPh.D. in agricultural economics, agricultural business,agricultural marketing, business administration, businessmanagement or related field at time of appointment. Candidates will be evaluated on: Experience working with a variety of audiences. Anticipated Hiring Range This position offers a minimum starting salary of $58,000, with thefinal salary determined based on the candidate’s qualifications andexperience. Application Materials Complete the brief online application and be prepared toupload:

• Cover Letter
• Resume/CV
• Copies of all unofficial academic transcripts, and
• a list of 3-5 references

For questions regarding the online application process contact View email address on click.appcast.io or call573.882.7976. For technical problems with the online applicationprocess contact View email address on click.appcast.io or call573.882.5000. Sponsorship Information Visa Sponsorship Information: Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. TheUniversity will not sponsor applicants for this position foremployment visas. Benefit Eligibility This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of yourtotal compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefitspackage, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement,and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. Foradditional information on University benefits, please visit theFaculty & Staff Benefits website at . Equal Employment Opportunity The University of Missouri is an Equal OpportunityEmployer . To request ADA accommodations, please call the Director ofAccessibility and ADA at View phone number on click.appcast.io. 59742 #J-18808-Ljbffr University of Missouri System