Regional Extension & Engagement Specialist - Northwest Region

University of Missouri (MU) Office of Extension and Engagement.

MU TITLE: Assistant/Associate/Full Extension Professional

LOCATION: Primarily serves the counties of Carroll, Caldwell, Chariton, Lafayette, Livingston, Ray, and Saline Counties in the Northwest Region. Location determined within assigned counties.

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. University of Missouri is an academic community of faculty, staff, and

students. We seek individuals who are committed to this goal and our core campus values of respect,

responsibility, discovery, and excellence. Our dedicated and knowledgeable faculty and staff collaborate with

researchers and community leaders to develop and deliver programs that address needs of Missourians

including educational attainment; environmental concerns; community, economic, business and workforce

development; global food systems; and health systems. For more information about

MU Extension and Engagement, please visit https://extension.missouri.edu/.

MU Extension faculty are commonly known as Specialists, with titles indicating geographic focus and programmatic specialization. Specialists coordinate educational opportunities that enable businesses, farms, families, and communities to strengthen the economy and enhance quality of life. Additionally, specialists create partnerships with civic and business organizations, educational institutions, local leaders, and key stakeholders to identify priorities, increase resources, and determine how research-based education can best meet the needs of residents.

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 appointment based on qualifications and experience in accordance with the MU Extension faculty standards. This position will hold a working title of Extension Engagement Specialist.

As an Extension Engagement Specialist, your workload distribution at appointment will be 40% Extension Teaching and 40% Extension Service, and 20% Administrative Activity.

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.

Essentials Duties

20% Administrative Leadership

• Collaborate with the Regional Director to develop a plan for the region, to engage county extension councils and support them in fulfillment of their statutory responsibilities.
• Collaborate with County Extension Councils in navigating their statutory responsibilities and requirements.
• Collaborate with the County Extension Councils to share in the oversite of office staff and provide support in implementing best practices for managing operations, finance, and human resources including standard and ad hoc reporting as needed and/or required.

40% Extension Service

• Attend a sufficient number of council meetings in assigned counties to support councils in conducting effective and efficient meetings and following up on action items as appropriate.
• Attend Regional Advisory Council meetings and communicate information to County Extension Councils.
• Engage communities, and stakeholders including County Extension Councils, elected officials and agencies, partners, and with university and professional organizations.
• Serve as a liaison between the local extension office and the University.
• Connect with county commissions and legislators to increase their understanding of the value of University of Missouri Extension programs.
• Serve as a resource for county extension offices who have questions about operations and functions.

40% Extension Teaching

• Assist Field Specialists in connecting with stakeholders and partners to expand programming opportunities and impact.
• Collaborate with other Extension & Engagement Specialists and Regional Directors to develop and revise council and engagement training resources.
• Provide new council orientation and further training as needed to assist council members understanding of their roles and responsibilities.
• Provide training and better understanding to county commissions and legislators concerning the role and responsibilities of the local County Extension Council, MU Extension and the University of Missouri
• Non-credit extension programming or continuing education teaching activities delivered to external audiences.
• Work with extension faculty and staff to ensure appropriate programming is provided in each county.

Professional Expectations

• All Extension Faculty, regardless of appointment category or type, are expected to demonstrate competency in Communication, Educational Programming and Knowledge of Subject Matter, Information and Education Delivery, Interpersonal Relations, Knowledge of Organization, Leadership, Organizational Management, and Professionalism.
• All Extension Faculty, regardless of appointment category or type, are expected to actively pursue resources to support both local and organizational operations and programing through grants, contracts, gifts, fees, and partnerships.
• Off-campus faculty are crucial to the success of Extension through engagement with local and/or regional stakeholders to identify needs, and then collaborate with appropriate faculty, both on and off-campus, to meet those needs.
• Actively participate in professional development opportunities to continuously improve skills and increase research-based knowledge including interdisciplinary teams, committees, and task forces. Work with faculty and staff located in county offices, across program disciplines and regions, with boards and organizations and other campuses throughout Missouri with a positive outlook, high personal standard of excellence, and passion for the mission, vision, and values of MU Extension.
• Specialists travel throughout Missouri regularly, using their own transportation, with occasional travel out of state. Extension Faculty must work effectively, flexibly, and independently, often with little guidance. Working evenings and weekends may be required to meet the needs of learners, clients, and stakeholders.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned to support the mission and purpose of MU Extension.
• Conduct all activities in accordance with the Civil Rights Acts, Title IX, Rehabilitation, Americans with Disabilities Act and local, state and federal regulations.

LEADERSHIP RECEIVED

Programmatic supervision is received from the Regional Director.

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 and 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.

An earned PhD or master's degree or above is required at time of appointment.

Candidates will be evaluated on:

• Successful experiences in coalition and partnership building, community and organizational facilitation, community planning, non-profit management, community economic development, local government, community, and economic data analysis, working with volunteers, leadership development and/or conflict resolution.
• Experience with community engagement, regional development or demonstrated knowledge of community processes, community economics and or organizational dynamics or related community experience.
• Demonstrated effective and innovative teaching strategies that engage others, including strong listening, written, and oral communication skills.

This position offers a minimum starting salary of $65,000, with the final salary determined based on the candidate's qualifications and experience.

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.

Employment visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

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/departments-staff/human-resources/benefits-retirement

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.