Field Specialist in Agronomy - Hickory County, MO

About the role

MU TITLE: Assistant/Associate/Full Extension Professional
LOCATION: Hermitage, Missouri and primarily serves Hickory, Camden, Dallas, Laclede and Polk Counties in the West Central Region with additional service across the state as needed.

Specialist Emphasis

The emphasis area for this position is agronomy, which includes the science of crops, forages, soils, weeds, insects, and pathogens. The position involves planning, implementing, and evaluating educational programs. Examples of agronomic programs in MU Extension include soil testing, precision agriculture, crop and hay production, pest monitoring, grazing systems, pesticide application, weed management, and disease management. The position also involves interacting with the farming community, including agronomic commodity groups, industry representatives, farm families, other university colleagues, and local and statewide elected officials.

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 educational methods. Provide inclusive educational programs that support the individual, organizational, and community goals of Missouri’s learners and clients.
• Create: Develop innovative and research-informed educational products, services, materials, and other scholarly works. Include curricula, publications, presentations, educational tools, websites, and similar resources. 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 that impact individuals and communities.
• Connect: Engage with learners, stakeholders, volunteers, and communities, including county extension councils, government officials and agencies, partners, and University and professional organizations. Listen and respond with care. Foster engaged partnerships and robust connections to the wide array of programs offered by the whole University of Missouri System.

Professional Expectations

• Engage with councils, commissions, legislators, and stakeholders in all coverage counties to identify educational needs and then collaborate with appropriate internal and external partners to meet those needs.
• Create an annual plan-of-work that reflects local needs and aligns with statewide program area efforts.
• Provide a monthly report of impact to county extension council assigned, supervisors, county commissioners and others, regarding programmatic efforts.
• Attend at least one county extension council meeting each month and provide an oral update on program efforts.
• 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.
• Work in collaboration with other specialists in counties of responsibility to serve the needs of the headquartered county, ensuring counties receive promotional materials in advance of programming.
• 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 times of natural disasters or similar events.
• Represent the University of Missouri on boards and committees as assigned.
• Participate in professional development events to improve both technical and leadership skills.

Additional Expectations

• 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 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.

University 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.

Qualifications

• An earned master’s or Ph.D. with appropriate coursework demonstrating knowledge of Agronomy, Plant Sciences, Crop Sciences, Soil Sciences at the time of appointment.
• Candidates Will Be Evaluated On Oral and written communication skills.

Application Materials

• 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.