Field Specialist in Human Development – Laclede County, MO

About the role

The Human Development and Family Sciences Specialist is responsible for planning, implementing, and evaluating educational programs in parenting, family strengthening, mental health awareness, adolescence, aging and/or early childhood care and education. This position is a 12-month, ranked, non-tenure track appointment at the rank 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 the working title of Field Specialist in Human Development.

Core duties

• 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 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.
• Effectively work with supervisors, other specialists, and local leaders to complete administrative tasks as needed.
• 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.

MU Extension Leadership Received

The Senior Program Director for Health & Human Sciences Extension provides overall programmatic leadership. Programmatic supervision comes from the Education Director for the Health & Human Sciences Extension and administrative oversight from the Regional Director for the West Central 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://extension2.missouri.edu/.

Qualifications

• An earned PhD or master’s degree at time of appointment.
• Candidates will be evaluated on:
• - Coursework exhibited in Human Development and Family Sciences or related areas.
• - Demonstrated ability to translate research into educational programs in parenting, family strengthening, mental health awareness, adolescence, aging and/or early childhood care and education for audiences of all age groups is critical.
• - Ideal candidates will also have successful experiences in youth and/or adult education.
• - Successful administrative and leadership experience, particularly in managing fiscal, human, and data resources, is preferred.
• - Effective and innovative teaching strategies that engage others, including strong listening, written, and oral communication skills.
• - The ability to integrate new and emerging technology into teaching strategies. Experience in designing, conducting, and evaluating educational programs, and applying research-based knowledge in subject matter areas related to community cooperation and collaboration, capacity assessment and action planning, needs assessment, citizen participation, leadership, resource management, and volunteerism is desired.

Anticipated Hiring Range

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

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

Sponsorship Information

Visa Sponsorship Information: Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. The University will not sponsor applicants for this position for employment visas.

Benefit Eligibility

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits/.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To request ADA accommodations

Please call the Director of Accessibility and ADA at 573-884-7278.