Assistant/Associate/Full Extension Professor in HDFS-4-H College & Career Pathways

In coordination with the University of Missouri Office of Extension and Engagement and the Missouri 4-H Center for Youth Development, the Department of Human Development and Family Science (HDFS) at the University of Missouri seeks applicants, seeks a full-time, 12-month non-tenure track position that is eligible for rank and promotion. Non-tenure rank (Assistant/Associate/Extension Full Professor) may be assigned depending on qualifications and experience demonstrated through a curricula vita and by the college’s promotion policy.

 This position provides leadership to: (1) the design, development, delivery, and evaluation of the 4-H College & Career Pathways program, including but not limited to the Youth Futures and Juntos programs; (2) coordination of statewide 4-H collegian efforts; and (3) the career pathways programs around the state through advising. This position supports the MU Strategic Plan, Compact 3: Excellence in Engagement and Outreach. The goal is to increase all Missourians access to and participation in Extension and Engagement Programming to address the needs of our state. The strategy involves increasing engagement with pre-K–12 students by providing exciting educational opportunities while also introducing them to the university and the value of higher education that will increase the number of high school graduates participating in postsecondary education from 66% to 70% by 2023. The position creates systems to help youth ages 5 to 18 learn about the importance of College & Career Pathways in their lives. The position is responsible for the leadership development and educational opportunities in College & Career Pathways and is expected to collaborate with faculty in other fields, especially with other 4-H State Specialists.

The faculty will also be responsible for building new as well as upon existing collaborations between 4-H, Extension (EXT), and HDFS as well as with colleagues in College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) and beyond. We hope that these collaborations will build multidisciplinary collaborations with campus faculty to develop programs and events as well as seek external funding thus contributing to the research mission of the university as well as the engagement mission. We hope that this faculty will also contribute to recruitment to undergraduate MU majors as well as graduate programs in this area and provide opportunities for hands-on learning, high-impact experiences (such as internships) for HDFS majors. The faculty will also be expected to teach one to two courses per year in HDFS in a related area such as youth development, College & Career Pathways, or program evaluation. These courses may be associated with our HDFS Undergraduate program or with the GP-IDEA MA programs in Youth Development and Family and Community Services The faculty will also complete service for EXT and HDFS.

The start date is August 2022. Salary is commensurate with experience, and the position includes ongoing supplemental monetary support for scholarly activities. Review of applications will begin on December 1, 2021 and continue until the position is filled. Applicants from underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply. 

The appointment is an annually renewable contract with the MU College of Education and Human Development Department of Human Development and Family Science and the Missouri 4-H Center for Youth Development. The faculty reports to the Department Chair in the Department of Human Development and Family Science with secondary supervision from the Director of the 4-H Center for Youth Development.

 RESPONSIBILITIES

• Utilize College & Career Pathways, youth development and education principles to build a research base program with colleagues, teaching and research faculty, Extension faculty and staff, youth, volunteers, community partners and other stakeholders.
• Teach one to two courses in MU College of Education and Human Development, Department of Human Development and Family Science per year.
• Provide educational leadership and public scholarship by planning, designing, implementing, and evaluating culturally competent educational programs.
• Develop, organize, coordinate, and lead comprehensive county, regional and state learning opportunities incorporating College & Career Pathways and addressing workforce preparedness in diverse fields.
• Lead Youth Futures and Juntos programing.
• Supervise one or more Educator/Staff positions.
• Seek external funding to support program efforts.
• Manage revenue to sustain and grow College & Career Pathways
• Build and maintain strong connections with leaders and partners in fields and disciplines that contribute to youth development and the science of College & Career Pathways.
• Develop multidisciplinary collaborations with campus faculty to develop programs, events and seek external funding.
• Other duties as assigned.

 PROFESSIONAL EXPECTATIONS

• Remain current on trends and research-based knowledge to effectively create relevant, reliable and responsive education. Apply this knowledge in scholarly products such as curriculum, inservice education instruction, articles in professional journals and popular press, presentations at professional meetings, grant proposals.
• Actively participate in professional development opportunities to continuously improve skills and increase research-based knowledge. Demonstrate mastery of core competencies, including subject matter expertise, effective and innovate teaching strategies, program development processes, and integration of new and emerging technology.
• Provide statewide leadership for Missouri 4-H in the areas of college & career pathways.
• MU is fully committed to achieving the goal of a diverse and inclusive 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 excellent.

 QUALIFICATIONS

An earned doctorate in Human Development and Family Science or a related field with course work in a discipline or program related to Education, Youth Development, and/or College & Career Pathways at time of appointment. Relevant coursework in one or more of the following areas: education, learning theory and learning strategies; organizational systems and human resource management; community development/ partnerships; child, adolescent, and human development; and volunteerism. Equivalent experience will be considered.

 Candidates will be evaluated on:

• Record of scholarly productivity and evidence of maintaining such public scholarship.
• Professional experience in designing, conducting, and evaluating education opportunities for youth and volunteers.
• Ability to teach and mentor students within a youth/ lifespan development and family science framework.
• Ability to apply knowledge of College & Career Pathways to volunteerism, human growth and development, experiential education, community collaborations and state and national issues relative to youth.
• Ability to work and engage with department, university, and community members.

 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 the state’s land-grant university and one of the most comprehensive universities in the United States. MU’s broad undergraduate programs and its’ graduate, professional and research programs attract annual enrollment of more than 30,000 students. MU is centrally located in Columbia, MO, which is consistently ranked as one of America’s most livable cities. MU Extension programs are located on all four campuses and in 114 counties and St. Louis city.

 The University of Missouri (MU) Office of Extension (EXT) 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 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 http://extension.missouri.edu.

 The Human Development and Family Science (HDFS) Department. HDFS joined the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) on July 1, 2021, as the sixth and newest department. Faculty in the department conduct research about child, adolescent, and adult development, diversity, and multiculturalism, family, and relationship science, health, and family functioning. HDFS offers both undergraduate degrees (BA and BS) and graduate degrees (MA, MS, and PHD) programs, and has a significant presence on campus and within the state through its Extension outreach and services. HDFS is home to two large centers: Center for Family Policy and Research (CFPR) and Child Development Laboratory (CDL). The CFPR offers faculty and students opportunities to work on grant-funded research and intervention projects that directly serve children, families, and communities. The CDL provides childcare for children under six years and serves as a teaching and research laboratory for faculty and students. The Department currently has over 4- million in externally funded grants and contracts. The department has had a successful and historic partnership with MU Youth and Family Extension and helps to build upon these relationships for public scholarship.

The city of Columbia, MO. by the American Institute for Economic Research as one of the nation’s top 10 college towns, Columbia combines small-town comforts, community spirit and a low cost of living with big-city culture, activities, and resources. Our city of about 120,000 people lies midway between Missouri’s largest metro areas: St. Louis and Kansas City. It is home to nationally recognized public schools including two top-ranked high schools and two other colleges and educational centers. It is packed with restaurants and entertainment venues; home to multiple parks and outdoor recreation sites such as Rock Bridge State Park and the MKT Trail; and hosts more than a dozen annual cultural festivals, such as the True/False Film Festival. Come see why Money magazine, Fortune magazine, U.S. News & World Report, Men’s Journal, MSN.com and others have all named Columbia, Missouri one of the best places in the country to live.

 SALARY/BENEFITS

Commensurate with education and experience.

 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 the Faculty and Staff Benefits website at http://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits.

 LEADERSHIP RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

The faculty reports to the Department Chair in the Department of Human Development and Family Science with secondary supervision from the Director of the 4-H Center for Youth Development.

 HOW TO APPLY

Upload application materials including a cover letter describing research/ scholarly interests and qualifications, diversity statement, and teaching philosophy, curriculum vitae, two reprints or preprints of recent manuscripts, and names and contact information for three references (no reference letters are required at this time) to: http://hrs.missouri.edu/find-ajob/academic/ Questions about the online application system are best directed to MU Human Resources at (573) 882-7976. Questions about this position should be addressed to the search committee co-chairs: 

Drs. Russell Ravert (ravertr@missouri.edu) and Duane Rudy (rudyd@missouri.edu)

  An Equal Opportunity/Access/Affirmative Action/Pro Disabled & Veteran Employer

The University of Missouri is fully committed to achieving the goal of a diverse and inclusive academic community of faculty, staff, and students, and is an equal opportunity/access/affirmative action/pro-disabled and veteran employer. To request ADA accommodations, please contact our ADA Coordinator at 573-884-7278 (V/TTY).