Field Specialist in Horticulture – Daviess County, MO

University of Missouri - Columbia; Columbia Township (MO); On-site; USD 52,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Missouri Extension is hiring a Field Specialist in Horticulture (Assistant/Associate/Full Extension Professional) for Gallatin, MO, serving multiple counties in the Northwest region. The role focuses on planning, delivering, and evaluating educational programs in horticulture with 90% teaching and 10% service.

The position is a 12-month, ranked, non-tenure track appointment. Rank and title awarded at appointment based on qualifications and experience; working title of Field

Qualifications

• Earned Master’s or Ph.D. with coursework showing knowledge in horticulture or related field.

Responsibilities

• Educate Missourians by delivering research-based horticulture programs.
• Create and connect educational resources, curricula, and demonstrations.
• Collaborate with local partner organizations and county extension councils.

Education

Master's degree

Ph.D. in horticulture

Job description

Hiring Department

University of Missouri (MU) Office of Extension andEngagement

MU Extension Plant Health & Technology program

Job Description

MU TITLE: Assistant/Associate/Full ExtensionProfessional

LOCATION: Gallatin, Missouri, and primarily serves Daviessalong with Caldwell, Chariton, Grundy, Harrison, Livingston, and Mercer Counties in the NorthwestRegion, with additional service across the state as needed.

SPECIALIST EMPHASIS

The emphasis area for this position is horticulture, which includesthe science of specialty crops, soils, weeds, insects, andpathogens. The position involves planning, implementing, andevaluating educational programs. Horticulture programs in MUExtension focus on home horticulture and commercial horticultureproduction. Educational programs include commercial production,home gardening, environmental stewardship, landscape development,and food safety. Field Horticulturalists also support MU Extensionefforts in soil testing and integrated pest management. Theposition involves interacting with the community, commodity groups,industry representatives, other university colleagues, and localand statewide elected officials.

This position is a 12-month, ranked, non-tenure track appointmentat the rank of assistant, associate, or full ExtensionProfessional. Rank will be determined at the time of theappointment based on qualifications and experience in accordancewith the MU Extension faculty standards. This position will holdthe working title of Field Specialist in Horticulture.

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

This appointment is renewable annually at the discretion of theUniversity and workload distribution may change at the discretionof Extension leadership. Circumstances affecting continuedemployment include, but are not limited to, work performance, fundavailability, and educational priorities.

CORE DUTIES OF MU EXTENSION SPECIALISTS

MU Extension Specialists deliver the University of Missouri to allMissourians. They serve all Missourians by bringing research-basedsolutions to work on local problems. MU Extension Specialists teachnew and foundational concepts, link people to resources, supportpartner organizations, participate in research, train volunteers,evaluate programs, foster innovation, and serve communities. MUExtension Specialists work as a team to expand educationalattainment, foster economic development, and improve healthoutcomes. These core duties fall into three major areas:

Educate, Create, and Connect.

• Educate. MU Extension specialists design, conduct, andevaluate educational programs. MU Extension specialists teachresearch-based information via meetings, in-person and onlinecourses, continuing education classes, technical assistance,volunteer training, media, websites, consultation, and othereducational methods. They provide inclusive educational programsthat support the individual, organizational, and community goals ofMissouri’s learners and clients.
• Create. MU Extension specialists develop innovative andresearch-informed educational products, services, materials, andother scholarly works. These include curricula, publications,presentations, educational tools, websites, and similar resources.MU Extension specialists obtain and use extramural funding tosupport creative works. MU Extension specialists contribute to thescholarship of Extension and Engagement by evaluating programs thatresult in learning and behavior changes that impact individuals andcommunities.
• Connect. MU Extension specialists engage with learners,stakeholders, volunteers, and communities, including countyextension councils, government officials and agencies, partners,and University and professional organizations. MU Extensionspecialists listen and respond with care. MU Extension specialistsintentionally foster engaged partnerships and robust connections tothe wide array of programs offered by the whole University ofMissouri System.

Professional Expectations

• Engage with stakeholders in all coverage counties to identifyeducational needs and then collaborate with appropriate internaland external partners to meet programming needs, incorporatingtimely marketing strategies.
• Create an annual plan-of-work that reflects local needs andaligns with statewide program area efforts. Provide a monthlyreport 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 andprovide an oral update on program efforts.
• Collaborate with campus-based specialists on research projectsand then deliver findings from those efforts via demonstrations,field days, courses, workshops, consultations, publications, andappropriate media.
• Work in collaboration with other specialist in counties ofresponsibility to serve the needs of the headquartered county,ensuring counties receive promotional materials in advance ofprogramming.
• Effectively work with supervisors, other specialists, and localleaders to complete administrative tasks as needed to supportcounty efforts.
• Demonstrate competency in communication, educationalprogramming, subject matter knowledge, educational delivery,volunteer management, grant acquisition, teamwork, interpersonalrelations, organization knowledge, leadership, andprofessionalism.
• Offer timely, research-based information during times ofnatural disasters or similar events.
• Represent the University of Missouri on boards and committeesas assigned.
• Participate in professional development events to improve bothtechnical and leadership skills.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned to support themission of MU Extension.

Additional Expectations

• MU Extension programs often occur outside of normal businesshours. MU Extension Specialists should expect to attend theseevents as needed to meet the needs of learners, clients, andstakeholders.
• MU Extension Specialists travel regularly throughout Missouriand occasionally to out-of-state locations. MU Extension requiresspecialists to have a valid Missouri driver’s license, a legallyoperating vehicle, and wireless telephone/data service foruniversity use. MU Extension specialists receive reimbursement forapproved travel expenses, per University of Missouri policy.

MU EXTENSION LEADERSHIP RECEIVED

The Senior Program Director for Agriculture & Environment provides overall programmatic leadership. Programmatic supervision comes from the Education Director for the Plant Health & Technology program area and administrative oversight from the Regional Director for the Northwest 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, andresponsive educational strategies throughout Missouri. Ourdedicated and knowledgeable specialists and staff collaborate withresearchers and community leaders to develop and deliver programsthat address the needs of Missourians, including educationalattainment, economic development, and healthy people. For moreinformation about MU Extension and Engagement, please visit https://extension2.missouri.edu/.

UNIVERSITY INFORMATION

The University of Missouri, also known as Mizzou and MU, is the Flagship University of the four-campus University of MissouriSystem. It is one of the state’s land-grant universities. MU’scomprehensive undergraduate programs and its graduate, professional, and research programs attract an annual enrollment ofmore than 30,000 students. MU Extension and Engagement programs arelocated on all four campuses and in 114 counties and St. Louiscity.

Qualifications

An earned Master’s or Ph.D. with appropriate coursework demonstrating knowledge of Horticulture, Plant Sciences, Agronomy,Plant Sciences, Crop Sciences, Soil Sciences, Agriculture, or arelated academic field at the time of appointment.

Anticipated Hiring Range

Minimum starting salary of $58,000.00, salary will be commensuratewith qualifications and experience of the applicant.

Sponsorship Information

Employment visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Benefit Eligibility

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of yourtotal compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefitspackage, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement,and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. Foradditional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/departments-staff/human-resources/benefits-retirement

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.

61262