Field Specialist in Community Development – Jackson County, MO

Meyer Entsorgung; Columbia Township (MO); On-site; USD 52,200 - 63,800; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical, dental and vision plans

Retirement benefits

Educational fee discounts

Job summary

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc. is seeking an Assistant/Associate/Full Extension Professional in Columbia Township. This role involves fostering community leadership and collaboration across Missouri, particularly focusing on the Urban West Region.

Candidates should hold a PhD or master's and have experience in community development, effective program delivery, and strong communication skills. This position offers a minimum starting salary of $58,000 and eligibility for comprehensive university benefits.

Qualifications

• PhD or master's degree required at appointment.
• Experience in community development and leadership.
• Demonstrated ability in classroom instruction.

Responsibilities

• Foster community leadership programming across counties.
• Collaborate with partners for community impact.
• Develop new leadership programming and curriculum.

Skills

Community processes knowledge

Facilitation

Cultural competency

Effective program development

Strong communication skills

Education

PhD or master's degree

Job description

Hiring Department

University of Missouri (MU) Office of Extension and Engagement – Business and Communities Extension

Job Information

MU Title: Assistant/Associate/Full Extension Professional

Location: Kansas City, Missouri – primarily serves Jackson, Clay, and Platte Counties in the Urban West Region, with additional service across the state as needed.

Community Development Program Specialization: The Community Development (CD) program works collaboratively with communities across Missouri to build civic capacity through fostering community belonging, civic contribution, collective leadership, and place-based vitality. The CD program is housed within the Business and Communities Extension program and partners closely with the Business Development, Regional Economic Development, and Workforce Development teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Foster research‑based community leadership programming in all counties of responsibility and statewide, including Neighborhood Leadership Academy, Neighborhood Leadership Fellows, Youth Empowerment Project, Public Boards Training, Build Your Board.
• Support community leaders with asset mapping, planning, resource development support, and resident empowerment tools.
• Develop new leadership programming and curriculum using data and evidence‑based models.
• Participate with Extension engaged neighbor team.
• Collaborate with other Community Development specialists for statewide impact.
• Collaborate with various UM System departments and programs for interdisciplinary impact.
• Collaborate with external partners to broaden community impact.
• Assess, document, and evaluate programming.
• Actively pursue resources to support both local and organizational operations and programming through grants, contracts, gifts, fees, and partnerships.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned to support the mission and purpose of MU Extension.

Core Duties of MU Extension Specialists

• Educate. MU Extension specialists design, conduct, and evaluate educational programs. They 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, including curricula, publications, presentations, educational tools, websites, and similar resources. They obtain and use extramural funding to support creative works and 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. They listen and respond with care and intentionally 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 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 and attend at least one county extension council meeting each month to provide an oral update on program efforts.
• Collaborate with campus‑based specialists on research projects and deliver findings 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.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned to support the mission of MU Extension.

Additional Expectations

• MU Extension programs often occur outside of normal business hours; specialists should expect to attend these events as needed.
• Specialists travel regularly throughout Missouri and occasionally to out‑of‑state locations. A valid Missouri driver’s license, a legally operating vehicle, and wireless telephone/data service for university use are required. Travel expenses are reimbursed per University of Missouri policy.

Qualifications

An earned PhD or master’s degree at the time of appointment.

Candidates will be evaluated on:

• Coursework demonstrating knowledge of community processes, facilitation, and cultural competency.
• Degree in community development, community social work, regional or applied economics, urban/rural planning, or public administration.
• Effective, engaging, innovative program development and delivery in community settings.
• Demonstrated ability in classroom instruction and facilitation of research‑based community development knowledge.
• Years of experience in leadership development, local government, coalition and partnership building, community and organizational facilitation, and community planning.
• Experience using data and mapping tools for community decision‑making.
• Expertise in building relationships with audiences.
• Strong listening, written, and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in teams and build partnerships, virtually and in person.
• Commitment to respect, responsibility, discovery, and excellence.

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.

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 all four UM System campuses.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an equal opportunity employer.