Field Specialist in Agricultural Business - Southeast Region, MO

Job Description

MU

TITLE:

Assistant/Associate/Full Extension Professional

LOCATION: Oregon, Ripley, Butler, Carter, Shannon, Reynolds, Iron, Wayne, Madison Counties in the Southeast Region, with additional service across the state as needed.

Specialist Emphasis

This position is responsible for planning, implementing, and evaluating educational programs that support agricultural and agribusiness development and expansion in ways that improve Missourian's quality of life and enhance the economic viability of Missouri enterprises while protecting the environment and the state's natural resources. These efforts may involve:

• 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, that support efforts such as business plans, marketing plans, feasibility studies, surveys, etc., and
• Connecting appropriate regional and state partners with an agricultural business owner when an economic development opportunity arises.

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

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 the appointment based on qualifications and experience in accordance with the MU Extension faculty standards. This position will hold a working title of Field Specialist in Agricultural Business.

As a Field Specialist, your workload distribution at appointment will be 90% Extension Teaching and 10% Traditional Service.

This appointment is renewable annually at the discretion of the University and workload distribution may change at the discretion of Extension leadership. Circumstances affecting continued employment include, but are not limited to, work performance, fund availability, and educational priorities.

CORE DUTIES OF MU EXTENSION SPECIALISTS

MU Extension Specialists deliver the University of Missouri to all Missourians. They serve all Missourians by bringing research‑based solutions to work on local problems. MU Extension Specialists teach new and foundational concepts, link people to resources, support partner organizations, participate in research, train volunteers, evaluate programs, foster innovation, and serve communities. MU Extension Specialists work as a team to expand educational attainment, foster economic development, and improve health outcomes.

These core duties fall into three major areas:

Educate, Create, and Connect
.

• Educate MU Extension specialists design, conduct, and evaluate educational programs. MU Extension specialists 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. They provide educational programs that support the individual, organizational, and community goals of Missouri's learners and clients.
• Create MU Extension specialists develop innovative and research‑informed educational products, services, materials, and other scholarly works. These include curricula, publications, presentations, educational tools, websites, and similar resources. MU Extension specialists obtain and use extramural funding to support creative works. MU Extension specialists contribute to the scholarship of Extension and Engagement by evaluating programs that result in learning and behavior changes that impact individuals and communities.
• Connect MU Extension specialists engage with learners, stakeholders, volunteers, and communities, including county extension councils, government officials and agencies, partners, and University and professional organizations. MU Extension specialists listen and respond…