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County Engagement Specialist in 4-H Youth Development and Extension Specialist/Assistant/Associ...

Employer
University of Missouri
Location
Columbia, MO

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Job Details

Job Title: County Engagement Specialist in 4-H Youth Development and Extension Specialist/Assistant/Associate/Full Extension Professional (NW Region: Saline, Carroll, Chariton Counties)
Location: Missouri Northwest Region
Full/Part Time: Full-Time
Job ID: 28939
Job Description LOCATION: Marshall, Missouri and primarily serves Saline County and Carroll, Chariton in the Northwest Region, with additional service across the state as needed.

University of Missouri Extension and Engagement faculty and staff develop, deliver, and improve educational programs and services that fulfill the University’s land-grant mission to extend the reach and impact of teaching and research to improve the lives and communities of Missourians and beyond.

Extension Specialist positions are a 12 month appointment, not on a promotion track.

County Engagement Specialist and Field Specialist are Extension faculty positions on a 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.

This position serves as the primary representative of the University of Missouri in the headquarter county, and as the administrative leader of the county extension office.

The Youth & Families Extension program promotes optimal well-being of individuals, families and communities, with special recognition for the needs of vulnerable populations. 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.

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.

Specialist Emphasis
  • County engagement and local operations: In addition, the County Engagement Specialist (CES) serves as the primary representative of and connection to the University of Missouri in the home county and provides administrative and strategic leadership for the county office, representing approximately half of the specialist’s effort.

This position will lead partnership collaborations within the county, cultivating positive relationships between the University and the community toward the development and delivery of educational programs and services that result in individual well-being and community betterment. Extension Specialists work with local and campus colleagues to assess needs and progress toward goals within their area of specialization, collaboratively producing a data-informed understanding of the conditions and opportunities within the counties served in Extension’s impact areas of agriculture and the environment, youth and families, businesses and communities, and health and safety.

This position is responsible for the collaborative leadership of the home county office, coordination of county program plans, assisting the county council with financial and non-financial resources, and daily coordination of office personnel. This position will ensure the development, implementation and evaluation of MU Extension programs by involving county faculty and staff, clientele, extension councils, advisory committees, community agencies, organizations and other citizens. They represent the University of Missouri to county extension councils, county governments and other agencies in determining fiscal needs and in securing resources. The Extension Specialist will help facilitate county council elections and enhance leadership skills and commitment to supporting the MU Extension mission.

    Program specialization: The Extension 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.

    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.

LEADERSHIP RECEIVEDAdministrative supervision is from the Northwest Regional Director. Program leadership is from the statewide 4-H Youth Program Director.

Qualifications An earned 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. Degrees in education, social work, child/family/human development, psychology, sociology, community development, and leisure studies represent some of the fields of study of successful applicants.

PhD or Master's degree preferred (County Engagement or Field Specialist title), Bachelor's degree (Extension Specialist title) in the appropriate subject matter will be considered. Employment of a candidate with a bachelor’s degree will be as an Extension Specialist with the expectations for completing a master’s degree in an approved subject matter area. The faculty member will remain an extension specialist until completion of the approved master’s degree, or if he or she has a master's degree, has completed the agreed upon coursework.

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

    Ideal candidate 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, including strong listening, written, and oral communication skills. Must be able 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.

    For additional information on the Fill and Grow Policy visit: http://extension.missouri.edu/careers

    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:

    Organization

    Working at University of Missouri

    The University of Missouri was founded in 1839 in Columbia, Mo., as the first public university west of the Mississippi River and the first state university in Thomas Jefferson's Louisiana Purchase territory. Today, MU is a $2.1 billion enterprise and an important investment for the state and nation.

    MU provides all the benefits of two universities in one: It's a major land-grant institution with a statewide mission of service to citizens and Missouri's largest public research university. Considered one of the nation's top-tier institutions, Mizzou is the flagship campus of the four-campus University of Missouri System. It is one of only 34 public universities, and the only public institution in Missouri, to be selected for membership in the Association of American Universities.

    The state’s most comprehensive university, MU offers more than 300 degree programs through 19 colleges and schools and is one of only five universities nationwide with law, medicine, veterinary medicine and a nuclear research reactor on one campus.

    Mizzou has a diverse enrollment with 35,000 students from every county in Missouri, every state in the nation and 120 countries. The favorite classroom for the best and brightest, Mizzou attracts more valedictorians, Curators Scholars and Bright Flight Scholars than any other college or university in Missouri. Twenty-six percent of MU freshmen come from the top 10 percent of their high school classes.

    MU’s nationally prominent faculty bring discoveries into the classroom, publish more than 1,600 books and scholarly articles each year and spend about $235 million annually on scientific research; they account for 70 percent of the research dollars flowing to Missouri public universities. Ninety-two percent of full-time, ranked faculty hold doctorates or the highest degree in their field.

    MU students are uniquely prepared for success in life as global citizens. For example, Mizzou is nationally known for its campus writing program, learning communities and first-year experiences. The National Science Foundation has recognized MU as one of the top-10 universities in the country for undergraduate research opportunities. In fact, experiential learning is an essential part of an MU degree. Real-world media experience, or the Missouri Method, in journalism and a problem-based curriculum in medicine are two examples. Students also participate in Missouri’s largest study abroad program and contribute 180,000 hours of community service each year.

    Mizzou graduates more than 8,000 students annually, granting 25 percent of all bachelor's degrees, 23 percent of master’s degrees and sixty-five percent of all doctoral degrees earned at Missouri's public universities. Roughly one in three degrees are in math, engineering, information technology, health and other science fields.

    Designated a botanic garden, MU’s 1,262-acre main campus features more than 42,000 plants and trees and is an important outdoor laboratory for 10 academic programs. Many university buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

    Popular media consistently call Columbia, Mo., one of America’s best places to live because of its excellent quality of life. Mizzou is by far the largest employer in the area with more than 13,000 full-time employees.

    Citizens across the state connect with Mizzou by participating in Extension programs in every county, visiting MU Health Care specialists, competing in state competitions in MU facilities and cheering on the Missouri Tigers at athletic events. A member of the Southeastern Conference, Mizzou's NCAA Division I athletic program has 20 sports, many ranked in the top 25 nationally.

    Careers at Mizzou

    You've come to the right place to find your new career or to make the leap to the next level. Whether you are just starting out or a seasoned professional in your field, and no matter what kind of job you are looking for, chances are that we have the right opportunity for you.

    Why? Because Mizzou is not just a world-renowned educational and research institution, The University of Missouri is also one of the biggest, most versatile employers in Columbia, MO. And we don't just have first-rate faculty and students, we have first-rate staff too! Whether you are a finance professional, a plumber, a research scientist, a preschool teacher, a food services worker, a custodian, a graphic designer, or a swimming coach, working at MU means you know you are a part of something big — you're making a difference in the world.

    We have it all: challenging and engaging work, a wide variety of jobs to fit your career goals, great benefits, career development and training, work-life fit, beautiful surroundings, a rich tradition and history, a sense of community and belonging, and a proven commitment to diversity in the workplace.

    Here are some resources to familiarize yourself with Columbia, Mo., if you are relocating to the area:

     

     

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