Field Specialist in Agronomy - Vernon County, MO

Hiring Department University of Missouri (MU) Office of Extension and Engagement Plant Health & Technology Program Job Title MU TITLE: Extension Specialist/Assistant/Associate/Full Extension Professional Location Nevada, Missouri and primarily serves Vernon, Bates, Cass, Cedar and St. Clair Counties in the West Central Region and Jackson in Urban West with additional service across the state as needed. Specialist Emphasis The emphasis area for this position is agronomy, which includes the science of crops, forages, soils, weeds, insects, and pathogens. The position involves planning, implementing, and evaluating educational programs. Examples of agronomic programs in MU Extension include soil testing, precision agriculture, crop and hay production, pest monitoring, grazing systems, pesticide application, weed management, and disease management. The position also involves interacting with the farming community, including agronomic commodity groups, industry representatives, farm families, other university colleagues, and local and statewide elected officials. Rank and Appointment Extension Specialist positions are a 12‑month appointment, not on a promotion track. Five Field Specialists are Extension faculty positions on a 12‑month, non‑tenure track appointments to the promotable ranks of Assistant, Associate, or Full Extension Professional. Rank will be determined at the time of appointment based on qualifications and experience in accordance with the MU Extension faculty standards. This position will hold the working title of Field Specialist in Agronomy. Workload At appointment, 90% Extension Teaching and 10% Traditional Service. The appointment is renewable annually at the discretion of the University, and workload distribution may change. Circumstances affecting continued employment include, but are not limited to, work performance, fund availability, and educational priorities. Core Duties of MU Extension Specialists MU Extension Specialists deliver the University of Missouri to all Missourians. They serve all Missourians by bringing research‑based solutions to work on local problems. They teach new and foundational concepts, link people to resources, support partner organizations, participate in research, train volunteers, evaluate programs, foster innovation, and serve communities. MUExtension Specialists work as a team to expand educational attainment, foster economic development, and improve health outcomes. These core duties fall into three major areas: Educate . MU Extension specialists design, conduct, and evaluate educational programs. They 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. They provide inclusive educational programs that support the individual, organizational, and community goals of Missouri’s learners and clients. Create . MU Extension specialists develop innovative and research‑informed educational products, services, materials, and other scholarly works. These include curricula, publications, presentations, educational tools, websites, and similar resources. They obtain and use extramural funding to support creative works and contribute to the scholarship of Extension and Engagement by evaluating programs that result in learning and behavior changes that impact individuals and communities. Connect . MU Extension specialists engage with learners, stakeholders, volunteers, and communities, including county extension councils, government officials and agencies, partners, and University and professional organizations. They listen and respond with care and 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 councils, commissions, legislators, and stakeholders in all coverage counties to identify educational needs and then collaborate with appropriate internal and external partners to meet those needs. Create an annual plan‑of‑work that reflects local needs and aligns with statewide program area efforts. Provide a monthly report of impact to county extension council assigned, supervisors, county commissioners and others, regarding programmatic efforts. Attend at least one county extension council meeting each month and provide an oral update on program efforts. 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. Work in collaboration with other specialists in counties of responsibility to serve the needs of the headquartered county, ensuring counties receive promotional materials in advance of programming. Effectively work with supervisors, other specialists, and local leaders to complete administrative tasks as needed. 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 similar events. Represent the University of Missouri on boards and committees as assigned. 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 MU Extension programs often occur outside of normal business hours. MU Extension Specialists should expect to attend these events as needed to meet the needs of learners, clients, and stakeholders. MU Extension Specialists travel regularly throughout Missouri and occasionally to out‑of‑state locations. MU Extension requires specialists to 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. Leadership Received The Senior Program Director for Agriculture & Environment provides overall programmatic leadership. Programmatic supervision comes from the Education Director for the Plant Health & Technology program area and administrative oversight from the Regional Director for the West Central region. Qualifications Master’s degree (ranked NTT appointment – Assistant Extension Professional title), bachelor’s degree (non‑ranked academic appointment – Extension Specialist title) in a discipline or program related to Agronomy, Plant Sciences, Crop Sciences, Soil Sciences at the time of appointment. Employment of a candidate with a bachelor’s degree will be as an Extension Specialist with the working title of Field Specialist. Faculty hired as an extension specialist will have the expectation of completing a master’s degree in an approved subject matter area. The faculty member will remain an extension specialist until completion of the approved master’s degree, or if he or she has a master’s degree, has completed the agreed upon coursework. Candidates will be evaluated on oral and written communication skills. Salary This position offers a minimum starting salary of $47,000, with the final salary determined based on the candidate’s qualifications and experience. Benefits 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. Sponsorship Information Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. The University will not sponsor applicants for this position for employment visas. Application Materials Cover Letter Resume/CV Copies of all unofficial academic transcripts A list of 3‑5 references Equal Employment Opportunity The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To request ADA accommodations, please call the Director of Accessibility and ADA at View phone number on click.appcast.io. #J-18808-Ljbffr The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.