University of Missouri Extension
Natural Resource Engineering Specialist
Position Description

LOCATION:    Headquartered in Boone County in Central Missouri Region with additional primary responsibilities for Audrain, Callaway, Cole, Cooper and Howard counties and the Central Missouri Region. 

COUNTY/REGIONAL PROFILE:  Information may be found at the following web address:    http://www.oseda.missouri.edu/countypage/ 

CORE COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:  Each outreach and extension specialist must possess (1) personal strengths (2) capabilities as an educator, (3) capabilities in information technology, and (4) expertise in their academic specialty.  For more information see http://extension.missouri.edu/pdo/corecompetencies.shtml  

At a minimum candidates must: 

a.     Demonstrate knowledge, skills and expertise in the area(s) of specialization and the ability to apply research to programming. 

b.     Demonstrate expertise in program design, development, implementation and evaluation. 

c.     Demonstrate knowledge and use of the teaching/learning process, including the use of sound educational practices, principles of learning and learning styles, and large and small group facilitation. 

d.     Understand and demonstrate expertise in community-based learning concepts. 

e.     Demonstrate knowledge and expertise in programming to meet the needs of different racial/ethnic, socio-economic and other groups underserved by the organization. 

f.     Demonstrate the ability to communicate ideas clearly, both orally and in writing. 

g.     Demonstrate effectiveness in the use and application of information technology, including knowledge and skills in Windows-based computer applications, word processing, spreadsheets, electronic presentations, e-mail, and the Internet. An understanding of the application of distance learning is desirable.

QUALIFICATIONS 

EDUCATION:  This position requires an earned master’s degree in engineering or engineering technology, agricultural education, or agricultural systems management/agricultural mechanization.  Successful candidates must document competency in basic engineering, structures – including residential, machinery systems, environmental control systems, irrigation, water quality, energy conservation & production.  Production agriculture experience and/or college- level coursework related to ecology, environmental science, crop and forage production, entomology, horticulture, livestock production and agricultural economics is desirable. 

  PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE in designing, conducting and evaluating educational programs, and applying knowledge in subject matter areas related to energy production, energy conservation, water quality, domestic water and sewage systems, farmstead planning, soil conservation,  residential housing, safety and occupational health is desired.  Coordinate the implementation of the Master Naturalist; Master Wildlifer; Master Gardener; and Grow Your Farm programs.  

Successful candidates will possess the following abilities: 

a.     Ability to work with colleagues in a multidisciplinary, issue-based approach to program design and delivery to effect change in one or more of the following priority areas: (1) enhancing economic viability, (2) building strong individuals, families and communities, and (3) creating and sustaining a healthy environment. 

b.     Ability to travel and to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends is required to fulfill assigned responsibilities. 

c.     Ability to manage time and resources, and to work with minimum supervision in various settings.  

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Working collaboratively with a team of extension professionals and volunteers, the specialist will be responsible for giving programmatic leadership to the natural resource engineering program.  This includes program planning, implementation, and evaluation, as well as creating linkages with the system program directors, the program leader in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, campus faculty in the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, other faculty within the University of Missouri System and Lincoln University campuses and external resource people. 

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES 

a.     Provide educational leadership in the development, implementation and evaluation of high-priority, long-term programs based on research related to natural resource engineering.  Keep up to date on research, current and future trends and local and state demographic information and apply this to the area of natural resource engineering. 

b.     Counsel with regional director, extension program directors, program leaders and other specialists on overall program design and priorities identified in County, Regional and State Program Plans. 

c.     Market programs to all types of audiences and promote the mission of University of Missouri Extension using mass media, information technology and other forums reaching a variety of groups and individuals.  

d.     Create an awareness of University of Missouri Extension programs among civic organizations, public agencies and key leaders. 

e.     Assess personal assets and needs to plan and participate in appropriate professional development, regional and program staff conferences and professional meetings. 

f.     Attend appropriate in-service education offerings and implement programming related to the ISE. 

g.     Participate in interdisciplinary program planning and program development teams, committees and task forces. 

h.     Prepare and submit timely, clear and concise reports that indicate program progress and impact, including knowledge, skills and behavior change of learners, and maintain records to support these reports. 

i.      Pursue and develop sources of funding both internally and externally and manage financial and human resources needed to deliver and sustain programs. 

j.     Assume both programmatic and administrative responsibilities as assigned by the regional director. 

k.     Annually provide an updated job description and performance expectations, related to county and state program plans.  Develop an individual development plan annually. 

l.     Conduct activities in accordance with the Civil Rights Acts, Title IX, Rehabilitation, Americans with Disabilities Act and local, state and region affirmative action plans. 

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES

 

a.    Serve as secretary of the Boone County Soil and Water Conservation District Board. 

b.    Serve as Boone County agriculturist to answer or refer questions related to general agriculture and horticulture.

c.    After a period of orientation, the successful candidate may serve as a county program director, carrying out programming, resource management and extension council relations’ duties.  This requires providing leadership to the development, implementation, and evaluation of extension programs in the county plan of work through involving faculty, clientele, extension councils, advisory committees, community agencies, organizations and other citizens.   

RELATIONSHIPS 

a.     Keep regional director, program director, extension councils, campus and off-campus faculty members and key clientele groups involved with, and informed of county plan of work priorities, and program needs, design and accomplishments. 

b.     Develop coalitions and foster teamwork internally among colleagues and externally among individuals and organizations. 

c.     Develop and maintain positive working relationships and communication with University of Missouri/Lincoln University campus and off-campus faculty members who are responsible for providing program development support. 

d.     Establish cooperative working relationships with regional extension colleagues in order to effectively plan and implement interdisciplinary programs. 

e.     Assist in interagency networking and collaborative efforts to address local issues and concerns. 

f.     Develop essential linkages with community organizations and local governments in evaluating county needs and designing and implementing programs. 

g.     Establish and maintain working relationships with individuals, groups and organizations that can benefit from and contribute to the program. 

ACCOUNTABILITY

 

The natural resource engineering specialist is accountable to the regional director.

 

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Last modified: 09/20/07

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