Field Specialist in Regional Economic Development – Howell County, MO

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

Benefits offered by this job

University benefits

Travel expense reimbursement

Job summary

MU Extension Specialists deliver the University of Missouri to all Missourians. They provide research-based education, engage with county extension councils, and collaborate with regional partners to address local economic development needs.

The role is a 12-month, non-tenure track appointment as Field Specialist in Regional Economic Development, offering 90% Extension teaching and 10% traditional service with annual renewal potential.

Qualifications

• Earned PhD or master’s degree at time of appointment.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Educate MU Extension learners through meetings, courses, and publications.
• Create innovative educational products and materials for regional economic development.
• Connect with partners to foster engaged regional economic development and share findings.

Education

PhD or Master’s degree

Job description

Hiring Department

University of Missouri (MU) Office of Extension andEngagement

Business & Community Extension

Job Description

MU TITLE: Assistant/Associate/Full ExtensionProfessional

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 asneeded.

Specialist Emphasis

This position is responsible for planning, implementing andevaluating regional economic development educational programs thatsupport and complement existing economic development efforts inMissouri communities. These efforts may involve:

• Developing and facilitating educational trainings thatstrengthen regional leaders’ capacity to foster economicprosperity
• Developing economic development guides and materials on topicssuch as tourism, understanding your region’s economic drivers, andstrengthening community support of entrepreneurs, housing trends.Etc.
• Facilitating forums and conferences that bring regional andcommunity partners together to foster economic developmentopportunities
• Offering technical assistance contracts, often in collaborationwith other state specialists, that support efforts such as;business surveys, tourism assessments, broadband ambassadortraining, etc.
• Connecting and convening appropriate regional and statepartners with community leaders to address economic developmentopportunities and challenges

Effective specialists will apply interdisciplinary knowledgerelated to general community, economic, business and workforcedevelopment needs in the counties served. Educational programs mayconsist of facilitated workshops, publishing guides or regionalreports, technical assistance, and online programming that provideresearch-based material to local clients aligned with statespecialists and Extension colleagues.

Effective specialists will work in close collaboration with theirrespective Regional Planning Commissions, state and local economicdevelopment departments, workforce boards, and other relevantorganizations to leverage efforts and funding opportunities.

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 Regional EconomicDevelopment.

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 educational programs that supportthe individual, organizational, and community goals of Missouri’slearners 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 for assigned county extension councils, supervisors, countycommissioners and others, regarding programmatic efforts. Attend atleast one county extension council meeting each month and provide aprogram review with feedback and analysis for the respectivecoverage area.
• Collaborate with campus-based specialists on research projectsand then deliver findings from those efforts via demonstrations,field days, courses, workshops, consultations, publications, andappropriate media.
• 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 unexpected catastrophic events.
• Represent the University of Missouri on boards and committeesfor assigned program area.
• 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 Specialists travel regularly throughout Missouriand occasionally to out-of-state locations. MU Extension requires specialists 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 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 LEADERSHIP RECEIVED

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 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 developmentstrategies and data analysis skills.
• Experience in the field of economic development, business orfinancial analysis.
• Demonstrated capability to translate research into educationalprograms in regional economic development for audiences of all agegroups is critical.
• The ability to exhibit effective and innovative teaching strategiesthat engage others, including strong listening and written and oralcommunication skills.

Anticipated Hiring Range

This position offers a minimum starting salary of $58,000, with thefinal 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 theFaculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an Equal OpportunityEmployer.

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

60554