Field Specialist in Livestock (emphasis in Small Ruminant) – Bates County, MO

Meyer Entsorgung; Columbia Township (MO); On-site; USD 52,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

University benefits

Educational fee discounts

Job summary

University of Missouri Extension is seeking a Field Specialist in Livestock to plan, implement, and evaluate education programs in small ruminant production across multiple counties in the West Central Region.

The role emphasizes 90% Extension Teaching and 10% traditional service, with a 12-month, non-tenure track appointment and a working title of Field Specialist in Livestock.

Qualifications

• Earned Master’s, Ph.D., or DVM degree in animal science or closely related field.
• Experience planning, implementing, and evaluating educational programs.
• Strong ability to work with county extension councils and partners.

Responsibilities

• Educate through Extension teaching in local counties.
• Create educational products, publications, and demonstrations.
• Connect with stakeholders, volunteers, and community partners.

Skills

Small ruminant knowledge

Educational outreach

Collaboration

Education

Master’s degree in animal science or related field

PhD or DVM preferred

Job description

Hiring Department

University of Missouri (MU) Office of Extension andEngagement

Animal Health & Production Extension Program

Job Description

MU TITLE: Assistant/Associate/Full ExtensionProfessional

LOCATION: Butler Missouri, and primarily serves Bates and,Benton, Camden, Cass, Cedar, Cooper, Dallas, Henry, Hickory,Johnson, Laclede, Moniteau, Morgan, Pettis, Polk, St. Clair andVernon Counties in the West Central Region, with additional serviceacross the state as needed.

Specialist Emphasis

This position is responsible for planning, implementing, andevaluating educational programs in small ruminant livestock,including management, nutrition, reproduction, animal health, andmarketing. Specialist will support the small ruminant livestockindustry in and around the West Central Region.

This part of Missouri has a growing small ruminant industry. Thiswork will include work supporting State Specialists, serve as aresource for other livestock specialists across the state andcollaborate with other Field Specialists to promote, inform andeducate about small ruminant production. There is a rich history ofExtension leadership in this region. Missouri ranks 5th nationally in goat production with 75,000 head in inventory, andalthough not ranked for sheep production includes over 97,000 headin inventory.

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 hold the working title of Field Specialist in Livestock.

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. MU Extension specialists design, conduct, andevaluate educational programs. MU Extension specialists teachresearch-based information via meetings, in-person, and online courses, continuing education classes, technical assistance, volunteer training, media, websites, consultation, and othereducational methods. They provide educational programs that supportthe individual, organizational, and community goals of Missouri’slearners and clients.
• Create. MU Extension specialists develop innovative and research-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 specialists intentionally 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 identify educational needs and then collaborate with appropriate internal and external partners to meet programming needs, incorporating timely marketing strategies.
• Create an annual plan-of-work that reflects local needs and aligns with statewide program area efforts. Provide a monthly report for assigned county extension councils, supervisors, county commissioners and others, regarding programmatic efforts. Attend at least one county extension council meeting each month and provide a program review with feedback and analysis for the respective coverage area.
• 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.
• Effectively work with supervisors, other specialists, and local leaders to complete administrative tasks as needed to support county efforts.
• 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 unexpected catastrophic events.
• Represent the University of Missouri on boards and committees for assigned program area.
• 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 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 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 LEADERSHIP RECEIVED

The Senior Program Director for Agriculture & Environment provides overall programmatic leadership. Programmatic supervision comes from the Education Directors for the Animal Health & Production program area and administrative oversight from the Regional Director for the West Central region.

MU EXTENSION INFORMATION

The University of Missouri (MU) Office of Extension andEngagement’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://extension.missouri.edu/.

UNIVERSITY INFORMATION

The University of Missouri, also known as Mizzou and MU, is theFlagship 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, Ph.D., or DVM degree in animal science orclosely related field with appropriate coursework demonstratingknowledge of livestock production and management at the time ofappointment. Related areas could include forage management, farmmanagement, etc.

Candidates will be evaluated on:

• Evidence of experience and knowledge of small ruminant production.

Anticipated Hiring Range

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

Sponsorship Information

Employment visa sponsorship is not available for thisposition.

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/totalrewards/benefits.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an Equal OpportunityEmployer.

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