Hiring Department
University of Missouri (MU) Office of Extension and Engagement
Plant Health & Technology Extension Program
Job Description
MU TITLE: Assistant/Associate/Full Extension Professional
LOCATION: Springfield, Missouri, and primarily serves Christian, Dallas Greene, Stone and Taney Counties in the Southwest Region, with additional service across the state as needed.
SPECIALIST EMPHASIS
The emphasis area for this position is horticulture, which includes the science of specialty crops, soils, weeds, insects, and pathogens. The position involves planning, implementing, and evaluating educational programs. Horticulture programs in MU Extension focus on home horticulture and commercial horticulture production. Educational programs include commercial production, home gardening, environmental stewardship, landscape development, and food safety. Field Horticulturalists also support MU Extension efforts in soil testing and integrated pest management. The position involves interacting with the community, commodity groups, industry representatives, other university colleagues, and local and statewide elected officials.
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 the working title of Field Specialist in Horticulture.
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
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. MU Extension Specialists teach new and foundational concepts, link people to resources, support partner organizations, participate in research, train volunteers, evaluate programs, foster innovation, and serve communities. MU Extension 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, Create, and Connect
- Educate . MU Extension specialists design, conduct, and evaluate educational programs. MU Extension specialists 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. MU Extension specialists obtain and use extramural funding to support creative works. MU Extension specialists 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. MU Extension specialists listen and respond with care. MU Extension specialists 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 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 specialist 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 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 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. MU Extension specialists receive reimbursement for approved travel expenses, per University of Missouri policy.
MU EXTENSION 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 Southwest region
MU EXTENSION INFORMATION
The University of Missouri (MU) Office of Extension and Engagement's distinct land-grant mission is to improve lives, communities, and economies by producing relevant, reliable, and responsive educational strategies throughout Missouri. Our dedicated and knowledgeable specialists and staff collaborate with researchers and community leaders to develop and deliver programs that address the needs of Missourians, including educational attainment, economic development, and healthy people. For more information about MU Extension and Engagement, please visit https://extension2.missouri.edu/ .
UNIVERSITY INFORMATION
The University of Missouri, also known as Mizzou and MU, is the Flagship University of the four-campus University of Missouri System. It is one of the state's land-grant universities. MU's comprehensive undergraduate programs and its graduate, professional, and research programs attract an annual enrollment of more than 30,000 students. MU Extension and Engagement programs are located on all four campuses and in 114 counties and St. Louis city.
Qualifications
An earned Master's or Ph.D. with appropriate coursework demonstrating knowledge of Horticulture, Plant Sciences, Agronomy, Plant Sciences, Crop Sciences, Soil Sciences, Agriculture, or a related academic field at the time of appointment.
Anticipated Hiring Range
Minimum starting salary of $58,000.00, salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience of the applicant.
Application Materials
Complete the brief online application and be prepared to upload:
• 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 MUHR@missouri.edu or call 573.882.7976. For technical problems with the online application process contact Helpdesk@missouri.edu or call 573.882.5000.
Sponsorship Information
Visa Sponsorship Information:
Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. The University will not sponsor applicants for this position for employment visas.
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 the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits .
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 573-884-7278.
