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University of Missouri Looking for Field Specialist in Livestock – Lawrence County, MO Full Time
Job Description
MU TITLE: Extension Specialist/Assistant/Associate/Full Extension
Professional
LOCATION: Mt. Vernon, Missouri, and primarily serves Lawrence, Jasper, Christian, Newton, McDonald,
Barry, and Stone Counties in the Southwest Region, with additional service across the state as needed.
SPECIALIST
EMPHASIS
This position is responsible for planning, implementing, and evaluating educational programs in Livestock
Production, including management, nutrition, reproduction, animal health, and marketing. Specialists will support the livestock industry in
and around Lawrence County, Missouri. This will include work supporting State Specialists and collaboration with other Field
Specialists.
This part of Missouri is recognized for a vibrant beef cattle industry, including cow-calf and stockers. It is
expected that most effort will be spent supporting the beef industry. This would include the Show-Me-Select heifer program, grazing
schools, etc. Meaningful work will also be expected to support other livestock, including small ruminants, poultry, etc. There is a rich
history of Extension leadership in this region and established programs the specialist could take over.
Extension Specialist
positions are a 12-month appointment, not on a promotion track.
Field Specialist 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 a working title of Field Specialist in Livestock.
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 diverse 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 diversity, equity, and inclusiveness via engaged partnerships and robust connections to
the wide array of programs offered by the whole University of Missouri System.
Professional
Expectations
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, inclusivity, equity, 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.
Conduct all activities per the Civil Rights Acts, Title IX, Rehabilitation, Americans with Disabilities Act, and local, state,
and regional affirmative action plans.
Other duties and responsibilities as assigned to support the mission of MU
Extension.
Additional Expectations
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 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
LEADERSHIP RECEIVED
The Senior Program Director for Agriculture & Environment provides overall programmatic leadership.
Programmatic supervision comes from the Education Directors for the Animal Health & Production 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://extension.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
A master’s degree or higher
(ranked NTT appointment – Assistant Extension Professional title), bachelor’s degree (non-ranked academic appointment – Extension Specialist
title) in animal sciences or closely related field with appropriate coursework demonstrating knowledge of livestock production and
management at the time of appointment. Related areas could include forage management, farm management, etc.
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 expectations 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 must demonstrate they are
authorized to work in the United States at time of hire. Sponsorship of U.S. temporary employment visas will not be offered for this
position.
Application Materials
Complete the brief online application and be prepared to upload:
* Cover
Letter
* Resume/CV
* Copies of all academic transcripts, and
* a list of 3-5 references
For questions regarding the online
application process contact [email protected] or call 573.882.7976. For technical problems with the
online application process contact [email protected] or call
573.882.5000.
Salary
Minimum starting salary of $47,000.00, salary will be commensurate with qualifications and
experience of the applicant.
Benefit Eligibility
This position is eligible for University benefits. The
University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, and educational fee discounts.
For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at http://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits
Values
Commitment
We value the uniqueness of every individual and strive to ensure each person’s success. Contributions from
individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives promote intellectual pluralism and enable us to achieve the excellence
that we seek in learning, research and engagement. This commitment makes our university a better place to work, learn and
innovate.
In your application materials, please discuss your experiences and expertise that support these values and enrich our
missions of teaching, research and engagement.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Equal Opportunity is and shall be
provided for all employees and applicants for employment on the basis of their demonstrated ability and competence without unlawful
discrimination on the basis of their race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity,
gender expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable state or federal law. This policy
shall not be interpreted in such a manner as to violate the legal rights of religious organizations or the recruiting rights of military
organizations associated with the Armed Forces or the Department of Homeland Security of the United States of America. For more information,
call the Director of Employee and Labor Relations at 573-882-7976.
To request ADA accommodations, please call the Director of
Accessibility and ADA at 573-884-7278.
Know Your Rights
To read more about Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)
please use the following links:
