Field Specialist in Regional Economic Development – Howell County, MO

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

Benefits offered by this job

University benefits

Travel reimbursement

Job summary

The University of Missouri Office of Extension and Engagement invites applications for a Field Specialist in Regional Economic Development. The 12-month, non-tenure track appointment supports county extension work across Southwest Missouri, with a 90% focus on extension teaching and 10% on traditional service.

Qualifications include a PhD or master’s degree and expertise in economics, regional planning, or related field; the hire will develop trainings, guides, and forums to strengthen regional

Qualifications

• Earned PhD or master's degree at time of appointment.
• Degree in economics, urban/regional planning, business, finance, or closely related field.
• Knowledge of economic development strategies and data analysis.
• Experience translating research into educational programs for regional economic development.
• Strong listening and written and oral communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Educate, Create, and Connect through MU Extension programs.
• Develop trainings and resources for regional leaders and communities.
• Deliver outreach to county extension councils and community partners.
• Collaborate with regional/state partners to leverage funding and opportunities.
• Travel across Missouri as needed to support communities.

Skills

Communication skills

Data analysis

Public policy understanding

Education

PhD

Master's degree

Job description

Hiring Department

University of Missouri (MU) Office of Extension and Engagement

Business & Community Extension

Job Description

MU TITLE: Assistant/Associate/Full Extension Professional

LOCATION: West Plains, Missouri, and primarily serves Howell, Texas, Wright, Douglas, Ozark, Shannon and Oregon Counties in Southwest Region with additional service across the state as needed.

Specialist Emphasis

Responsibilities

This position is responsible for planning, implementing and evaluating regional economic development educational programs that support and complement existing economic development efforts in Missouri communities. These efforts may involve:

• Developing and facilitating educational trainings that strengthen regional leaders’ capacity to foster economic prosperity
• Developing economic development guides and materials on topics such as tourism, understanding your region’s economic drivers, and strengthening community support of entrepreneurs, housing trends. Etc.
• Facilitating forums and conferences that bring regional and community partners together to foster economic development opportunities
• Offering technical assistance contracts, often in collaboration with other state specialists, that support efforts such as; business surveys, tourism assessments, broadband ambassador training, etc.
• Connecting and convening appropriate regional and state partners with community leaders to address economic development opportunities and challenges
  
  

Effective specialists will apply interdisciplinary knowledge related to general community, economic, business and workforce development needs in the counties served. Educational programs may consist of facilitated workshops, publishing guides or regional reports, technical assistance, and online programming that provide research-based material to local clients aligned with state specialists and Extension colleagues.

Effective specialists will work in close collaboration with their respective Regional Planning Commissions, state and local economic development departments, workforce boards, 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 the working title of Field Specialist in Regional Economic Development.

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

Duties

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 with care. MU Extension specialists 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 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 Business & Community provides overall programmatic leadership. Programmatic supervision comes from the Regional Economic Development Educational Director and administrative oversight from the Southwest Regional Director.

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, and responsive educational strategies throughout Missouri. Our dedicated and knowledgeable specialists and staff collaborate with researchers and community leaders to develop and deliver programs that address the needs of Missourians, including educational attainment, economic development, and healthy people. For more information about MU Extension and Engagement, please visit https://extension.missouri.edu/.

UNIVERSITY INFORMATION

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

Qualifications

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

Candidates Will Be Evaluated On

Degree in economics, urban or regional planning, business, finance, economic development, sociology, public policy or closely related field.

Coursework demonstrating knowledge of economic development strategies and data analysis skills.

Experience in the field of economic development, business or financial analysis.

Demonstrated capability to translate research into educational programs in regional economic development for audiences of all age groups is critical.

The ability to exhibit effective and innovative teaching strategies that engage others, including strong listening and written and oral communication skills.

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.

Application Materials

Complete the brief online application and be prepared to upload:

• Cover Letter
• Resume/CV
• Copies of all unofficial academic transcripts, and
• a list of 3-5 references
  
  

For questions regarding the online application process contact [e-mail] or call 573.882.7976. For technical problems with the online application process contact [e-mail] or call 573.882.5000.

Sponsorship Information

Employment visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Benefit Eligibility

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional 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 Opportunity Employer.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Director of Accessibility and ADA at 573-884-7278.