University of Missouri Extension
Forestry / Business Development Specialist
Position Description

Location: Fredericktown, Missouri (Madison County) and serves the following counties in the Southeast Region: Carter, Iron, Madison, Reynolds and Wayne.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES: The regional Forestry/Business Development Specialist provides regional outreach and education concerning sustainable forest management and forest stewardship; marketing of traditional forest products and emerging ecosystem services; and forest industry/business entrepreneurship and business development to private forestland owners, consulting foresters, the wood products industry, entrepreneurs and related industries with the following responsibilities:  

Program Development and Delivery 

• Possess academic knowledge and forestry experiences in subject-matter areas of forest management, forest economics and policy, forest operations, and other timely forestry related topics.
• Possess academic knowledge and business experiences in subject-matter areas of finance, management, marketing, operations, accounting, human resources, strategic planning, business plans, start-up ventures, government procurement, and other timely business related topics.
• Plan, develop, deliver, coordinate, and report adult educational programs in forest management, marketing principles, and business development subject-matter areas that result in high customer satisfaction, learning outcomes, attendance, revenues, and economic outcomes.
• Plan, develop, deliver, coordinate, and report adult educational programs in business subject-matter areas that result in high customer satisfaction, learning outcomes, attendance, revenues, and economic outcomes.
• Counsel and coach entrepreneurs and companies in starting, growing and operating a business that result in business economic and societal outcomes (i.e. government contracts, sales, jobs, loans, etc.)
• Possess group facilitation capabilities, public speaking abilities, knowledge of adult teaching/learning processes, distance learning techniques, and meeting coordination skills to ensure high audience satisfaction and learning.
• Offer inclusive programs that effectively meet the needs of underserved populations and audiences that are diverse in race, ethnicity, gender, and disabilities.
• Conduct activities in accordance with the Civil Rights Acts, Title IX, Rehabilitation, Americans with Disabilities Act and local, state and region affirmative action plans.
• Receives programmatic leadership from the business development program director, agriculture program director, and the state forestry extension specialist. 

Relationships and Communication

• Collaborate effectively, within the higher education environment and with other partner organizations, to serve the general population and culturally diverse audiences through outstanding learning environments.  
• Work in close collaboration with the State Forestry Extension Specialist, Missouri Department of Conservation Forestry Division, and the Eastern Ozarks Forestry Council in their education and outreach efforts.
• Work in a team environment as part of the Small Business Development Centers in coordinating, delivering and evaluating business development programs.
• Communicate and promote the value and measurable impacts of programs to key stakeholders, councils and targeted decision makers.
• Develop external funding sources to enhance programs.
• Demonstrated written and oral communication, public speaking, teaching, organizational skills, interpersonal and public relations.

Resource Generation

• Seek out and develop external funding sources to enhance existing and future programs, including identifying reasonable and acceptable fee’s, new opportunities, appropriate grant or contract opportunities, and partnerships to provide growth opportunities for new and existing educational programs.
• Ensure resource generation activities are in alignment with organizational mission, values, and priorities.
• Ensure compliance with grants, contracts, and other fiscal requirements to maintain proper accountability and sustainability.

Professional Expectations

• Continue professional development to remain competitive in forestry, finance, management, marketing, demographic trends, and program needs.
• Develop and execute an annual work plan aligned with local, regional and state objectives of the business development program, in cooperation with regional director, program director, and colleagues.
• Travel and work flexible hours; including some evenings and weekends.

QUALIFICATIONS

This position requires an earned Master’s degree in forestry, business, or related area with appropriate coursework exhibited. Related areas may include marketing, finance, accounting, management, human resources, operations management, engineering, business education, forest economics, forest management, or forestry-related coursework.

The incumbent must be knowledgeable of requirements to take an unmanaged stand of tress and turn it into a productive “working” forest. 

Professional experience in applying and transferring research-based knowledge in above subject matter areas is expected. Experience in forestry management, entrepreneurship, training and/or consulting is preferred.

ACCOUNTABILITY

The business development specialist is accountable to the regional director.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 

Strategic Direction: http://extension.missouri.edu/about/21stcentury/index.html

Business Development website: www.missouribusiness.net

Faculty Core Competencies: http://extension.missouri.edu/pdo/corecompetencies.shtml.

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		Human Resource Development hrdext@missouri.edu Last modified: 09/20/07
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