Field Specialist in Agricultural Business – Washington County, MO

Location: Potosi, Missouri, primarily serving Crawford, Dent, Franklin, Phelps, Pulaski, St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve, and Washington Counties in the East Central Region, with additional service across the state as needed.

About the Role

This position is responsible for planning, implementing, and evaluating educational programs that support agricultural and agribusiness development and expansion to improve Missourians' quality of life, enhance the economic viability of Missouri enterprises, and protect the environment and natural resources. The role involves:

• Assisting agricultural operators and agribusinesses with decision-making, financial management, taxes, and risk mitigation as they start, expand, or diversify their businesses.
• Assessing new business opportunities and emerging economic issues faced by producers, landowners, and businesses.
• Offering technical assistance contracts, often in collaboration with state specialists, to support business plans, marketing plans, feasibility studies, surveys, and more.
• Connecting regional and state partners with agricultural business owners when economic development opportunities arise.

Effective specialists will apply interdisciplinary knowledge and collaborate with regional producer groups, state and local agricultural support entities, and other relevant organizations to leverage efforts and funding opportunities.

This is a 12-month, ranked, non-tenure track appointment at the rank of Assistant, Associate, or Full Extension Professional. Rank will be determined at appointment based on qualifications and experience. The working title is Field Specialist in Agricultural Business, with a workload distribution of 90% Extension Teaching and 10% Traditional Service. The appointment is renewable annually at the discretion of the University, and workload distribution may change based on Extension leadership decisions.

Responsibilities

Core Duties of MU Extension Specialists

• Educate: Design, conduct, and evaluate educational programs. Teach research-based information via meetings, in-person and online courses, continuing education classes, technical assistance, volunteer training, media, websites, consultation, and other methods. Provide programs that support individual, organizational, and community goals.
• Create: Develop innovative and research-informed educational products, services, materials, and scholarly works, including curricula, publications, presentations, educational tools, and websites. Obtain and use extramural funding to support creative works. Contribute to the scholarship of Extension and Engagement by evaluating programs that result in learning and behavior changes impacting individuals and communities.
• Connect: Engage with learners, stakeholders, volunteers, and communities, including county extension councils, government officials, partners, and University and professional organizations. Foster engaged partnerships and robust connections to programs offered by the University of Missouri System.

Professional Expectations

• Engage with stakeholders in all coverage counties to identify educational needs and collaborate with internal and external partners to meet programming needs, incorporating timely marketing strategies.
• Create an annual plan-of-work reflecting local needs and aligning with statewide program area efforts.
• Provide monthly reports to assigned county extension councils, supervisors, county commissioners, and others regarding programmatic efforts.
• Attend at least one county extension council meeting each month and provide program reviews with feedback and analysis for the coverage area.
• Collaborate with campus-based specialists on research projects and deliver findings via demonstrations, field days, courses, workshops, consultations, publications, and appropriate media.
• Work effectively with supervisors, other specialists, and local leaders to complete administrative tasks supporting 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 natural disasters or unexpected catastrophic events.
• Represent the University of Missouri on boards and committees for the assigned program area.
• Participate in professional development events to improve technical and leadership skills.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned to support the mission of MU Extension.

Additional Expectations

• Travel regularly throughout Missouri and occasionally to out-of-state locations. Requires a valid Missouri driver’s license, a legally operating vehicle, and wireless telephone/data service for university use. Reimbursement for approved travel expenses is provided per University policy.
• Programs often occur outside normal business hours; attendance at these events is expected to meet the needs of learners, clients, and stakeholders.

Requirements

• An earned Master’s or other applicable terminal degree (MBA or Ph.D.) in agricultural economics, agricultural business, agricultural marketing, business administration, business management, or a related field at the time of appointment.

Qualifications

Candidates will be evaluated on experience working with a variety of audiences.

Pay

This position offers a minimum starting salary of $58,000, with the final salary determined based on the candidate’s qualifications and experience.

Benefits

This position is eligible for University benefits, including:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans.
• Retirement benefits.
• Educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses.

For additional information, visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website.