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Extension Field Specialist in 4-H Youth Development – Clay County, Missouri

Employer
University of Missouri
Location
Missouri, United States
Salary
Salary Not Specified
Date posted
May 16, 2022


Job Description

MU TITLE: Assistant Extension Professional/Associate/Full Extension Professional

LOCATION: Kansas City, Missouri and primarily serves Clay County in the Urban West Region, with additional service across the state as needed.

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 faculty and staff collaborate with researchers and community leaders to develop and deliver programs that address the 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/

Extension faculty are 12-month, non-tenure track appointments to the promotable ranks of assistant, associate, or full Extension Professional. The rank at time of appointment or promotion is consistent with the standards of achievement and experience established by the faculty. MU Extension faculty are commonly known as Specialists, with titles that indicate geographic focus and programmatic specialization. Specialists provide 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.

University of Missouri Extension 4-H youth development programs help children and teens become caring, capable, competent, and contributing through a series of progressive experiences over time with caring adults during non-school hours. 4-H youth development programs focus on the broader developmental needs of youth, rather than preventing single issues or problems. 4-H youth development programs use a human ecological approach, recognizing that young people are part of systems, including family, school, community, and society.

To learn more about the Center for Youth Development, visit http://mo4h.missouri.edu/

CORE DUTIES OF EXTENSION FACULTY

The core duties of MU Extension faculty are to Educate, Create, and Connect. The emphasis among these duties and specific deliverables will vary for different appointments and evolve from year to year, direction for which is developed in an annual plan of work for the program area and for the individual.
  • Educate. Extension Faculty deliver onsite Extension teaching and programming, online courses, continuing education, technical assistance, consultation, and other educational methods and interventions. The primary role of all Specialists around the state is to disseminate the knowledge generated by the University through educational programs and services to support the individual, organizational, and community goals of Missouri learners and clients.
  • Create. Extension Faculty develop innovative and research-informed educational products, services, and materials and scholarly products, including curricula, publications, presentations, and other resources. Extension Faculty contribute to the scholarship of extension and engagement and to applied research, to evaluate and improve how programs and services result in learning and behavior changes that positively impact individuals and communities.
  • Connect. Extension Faculty engage with learners, communities, and stakeholders including Extension Councils, government officials and agencies, partners, and with university and professional organizations. Strong connections help generate revenue to sustain and grow valued programming through grants, contracts, fees, gifts, and partnerships. Extension faculty intentionally foster diversity and inclusiveness by providing educational programs that connect to the varied needs of Missourians and their communities, through the cycle of market relations including needs assessment, promotion, and feedback utilizing a variety of media and venues. Faculty are expected to assist with recovery efforts during times of natural disasters
Specialist Emphasis
  • Provide programming in all counties of responsibility, ensuring counties receive promotional materials in advance of programming.
  • Responsibility will also include service on local boards where appropriate to program area
  • Statutory Requirement.
    • Represent Extension on Soil and Water Board (Ag or county specialist)
    • Ex. Youth and family representative on county health coalition or similar board
    • Ex. Community Development economic development board or similar board
  • Provide monthly report of impact for each county assigned
  • Attend at least one monthly council meeting in coverage counties.
  • Work in collaboration with other specialists in counties of responsibility to serve the needs of the headquartered county
  • Assist to ensure administrative tasks are completed in the headquartered county and that there is sustained engagement with councils, commissions, legislators, and stakeholders with regular feedback regarding county programming needs to program and administrative leadership, as appropriate.
Program specialization: The Field Specialist in 4-H Youth Development is responsible for planning, implementing, and evaluating positive youth and volunteer development programs through 4-H clubs, schools, youth- serving agencies, community collaborations, camps, and fairs.

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, Inclusivity, 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 programming through grants, contracts, gifts, fees, and partnerships.
  • Field Specialists 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. Field Specialists are expected to be involved in the development of applied studies and the subsequent delivery of those findings through, but not limited to, demonstration, field days, workshops, print, digital and other electronic media as appropriate.
  • Actively participate in professional development opportunities to continuously improve skills and increase research-based knowledge. Participate in 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 with 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 own transportation, with occasional travel out of state. Extension Faculty must work effectively, flexibly, and independently, often with little guidance. Working evenings and weekends is often required to meet the needs of learners, clients, and stakeholders.
  • Other duties and responsibilities will be expected 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 region affirmative action plans.
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 and Engagement programs are located on all four campuses and in 114 counties and St. Louis city.

LEADERSHIP RECEIVED

Programmatic supervision is received from the Senior Program Director for 4-H Youth Development. Regional leadership is received from the Regional Director.

Qualifications

An earned doctorate or master’s degree with minimum of 24 hours of upper-level coursework in one or more of the following areas: child, adolescent, and adult human development; education, learning theory and learning strategies; organizational systems and human resource management; community development/partnerships; and volunteerism at time of appointment.

Candidates will be evaluated on:

Ideal candidates will have experience working with people from different cultures and backgrounds. Bilingual candidates are preferred – English and Spanish.

Demonstrated ability in applying and transferring research-based knowledge in the above subject matter areas.

Ideal candidates will also have successful experiences applying knowledge of volunteerism, human growth and development, human learning, family systems, parenting, prevention, experiential education, community collaboration, and state and national issues relative to youth and families.

Effective and innovative teaching strategies that engage others. Must be able to integrate new and emerging technology into teaching strategies.

Effective listening, written and oral communication skills including public speaking and presentation abilities.

Organizational skills, interpersonal skills, problem-solving abilities, and collaborative leadership experiences.

Flexibility, resiliency, and the ability to operate with minimal guidance.

Positive outlook, high personal standard of excellence, and passion for the vision, mission, and values of MU Extension.

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 excellence.

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

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Complete the brief online application at https://extension.missouri.edu/about/jobs.aspx and submit a cover letter, list of 3-5 references, all academic transcripts and CV online at https://hr.missouri.edu/job-openings

It is recommended that these required documents be uploaded as one PDF file as a resume document. 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 umpshrsupport@umsystem.edu or call 573.882.5000.

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

Diversity Commitment

The University of Missouri 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 excellence.

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 Vice Chancellor of Human Resource Services/Affirmative Action officer at 573-882-4256.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Disability Inclusion and ADA Compliance Manager at 573-884-7278.

EEO IS THE LAW

To read more about Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) please use the following links:
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