Description:
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 Missouri's learners and clients' individual, organizational, and community goals.
- 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.