Assistant/Associate Professor – State Extension Specialist

in The Department of Human Development and Family Science

 College of Education and Human Development

Nutrition, Health, and Family Extension

University of Missouri         

 Position Description

MU TITLE:   Assistant/Associate Professor - State Extension Specialist                    PS#:    

LOCATION:  Columbia                                                                                      Job Code:

                                                                                                     PAY GRADE: T & R     

HEADQUARTERED:  University of Missouri – Columbia, MO

In coordination with the Nutrition, Health, and Family unit of the University of Missouri Office of Extension and Engagement, the Department of Human Development and Family Science (HDFS) at the University of Missouri seeks applicants for two Faculty/State Extension Specialist positions in HDFS at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor (with tenure). These are 12-month tenure track positions between HDFS and MU Extension with the primary appointment being in HDFS. The faculty reports to the HDFS Department Chair with secondary supervision from the Director of the Missouri Nutrition, Health, and Family Extension. The successful candidate will have a doctorate in Human Development and Family Science or a related field, a reputation for excellence in scholarship and engagement, track record of external funding commensurate with rank, recent publications in top-tier journals, and scholarly emphasis and Extension experience in one or more of the following areas: 1) Early Childhood and Early Care Education and Workforce Development; and 2) Strengthening Families across the Lifespan including Aging, Caregiving, and Kinship Systems.

The State Extension Specialist will oversee a rigorous program of research; develop, implement, and evaluate Extension educational programs; and support regional Extension specialists. The faculty will also be responsible for building collaborations between Extension, HDFS, and the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) to develop programs and resources and to seek external funding. The faculty will teach two courses per year in HDFS in a related area. These may be associated with our HDFS Undergraduate majors, the on-campus doctoral program, or with the GP-IDEA MA (Master of Arts) programs in Youth Development and Family and Community Services. The faculty will also complete service for HDFS and MU Extension.

HDFS at the University of Missouri is committed to hiring faculty with demonstrated experience in research in historically underrepresented and underserved communities. We are particularly interested in candidates who have strong quantitative research and program evaluation skills and whose research and outreach complements the growing translational multidisciplinary teams at Mizzou; areas include social determinants of health, health disparities, intervention, and prevention pathways to resiliency, and/or strengthening individual health and family well-being.

Successful applicants will demonstrate scholarly activity consistent with the University’s status as an AAU member and a “Very High” Research Productive institution. Faculty will maintain an active and vibrant program of research and engagement, secure external funding to support such efforts, and support the department through teaching and service.

The start date is negotiable with preference for start date of July 1, 2023. Salary is commensurate with experience, and the position includes ongoing supplemental monetary support for scholarly activities. Review of applications will begin on March 9, 2023 and continue until the position is filled. Applicants from underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply. 

 RESPONSIBILITIES           

• Maintain an active, externally funded program of research, outreach, and scholarship
• Collaborate on program development and evaluation processes to ensure and assess the efficacy of educational programs and systems of implementation.
• Establish strong working relationships and provide guidance to Missouri Extension professionals.
• Communicate to stakeholders and serve on state, multi-task, and national Extension work groups to advance understanding in the field.
• Teach two courses in the Department of Human Development and Family Science per year.
• Advise and provide research supervision to graduate students in Human Development and Family Science and serve on dissertation committees for students in the
• Provide service to the program, department, college, and university.
• Demonstrate commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusive excellence.
• Other duties as assigned.

PROFESSIONAL EXPECTATIONS

• Remain current on trends and research-based knowledge to effectively create relevant, reliable, and responsive education. Apply this knowledge in scholarly products such as curriculum, in-service training and instruction, articles in professional journals and popular press, presentations at professional meetings, and grant proposals.
• Actively participate in professional development opportunities to continuously improve skills and increase research-based knowledge. Demonstrate mastery of core competencies, including subject matter expertise, effective and innovate teaching strategies, program development processes, and integration of new and emerging technology.
• MU is fully committed to achieving the goal of a diverse and inclusive academic community of faculty, staff, and students. We seek individuals who are committed to this goal and our core campus values of respect, responsibility, discovery, and excellence.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• An earned doctorate in Human Development and Family Science or a related field at the time of appointment

Candidates will be evaluated on:

• Professional experience in designing, conducting, and evaluating education opportunities for Extension faculty, staff, and citizens of Missouri.
• Record of scholarly productivity and evidence of public scholarship.
• Success or potential for success as principal investigator on externally-funded projects
• Ability to teach and mentor students.
• Ability to work collaboratively with department and university colleagues and to engage in community outreach.

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 the state’s land-grant university and one of the most comprehensive universities in the United States. MU’s broad undergraduate programs and its’ graduate, professional and research programs attract annual enrollment of more than 30,000 students. MU is centrally located in Columbia, MO, which is consistently ranked as one of America’s most livable cities. MU Extension programs are located on all four campuses and in 114 counties and St. Louis city.

The University of Missouri (MU) Office of Extension (EXT) 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 faculty and staff collaborate with researchers and community leaders to develop and deliver programs that address needs of Missourians including educational attainment; environmental concerns; community, economic, business and workforce development; global food systems; and health systems. For more information about MU Extension and Engagement, please visit http://extension.missouri.edu.

Missouri Extension Nutrition, Health, and Families

MU Extension’s Nutrition, Health and Families unit promotes optimal well-being of individuals, families and communities, with special recognition for the needs of vulnerable populations. Through community-engaged scholarship and outreach, campus-based faculty and regional field specialists deliver evidence-based programs and develop research-informed educational tools and strategies in the areas of Human Development & Family Science and Health & Nutrition. Campus-based state faculty provide support for healthy home environments and family finance educational outreach areas.   

The Human Development and Family Science (HDFS) Department. HDFS joined the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) on July 1, 2021, as the sixth and newest department. Faculty in the department conduct research about child, adolescent, and adult development, diversity and multiculturalism, family and relationship science, health, and family functioning. HDFS offers both undergraduate degrees (BA and BS) and graduate degrees (MA, MS, and PHD) programs, and has a significant presence on campus and within the state through its Extension outreach and services. HDFS is home to two large centers: Center for Family Policy and Research (CFPR) and Child Development Laboratory (CDL). The CFPR offers faculty and students opportunities to work on grant-funded research and intervention projects that directly serve children, families, and communities. The CDL provides childcare for children under six years and serves as a teaching and research laboratory for faculty and students. The Department currently has over 4 million in externally funded grants and contracts. The department has had a successful and historic partnership with MU Youth and Family Extension and helps to build upon these relationships for public scholarship.

The city of Columbia, MO. Ranked by the American Institute for Economic Research as one of the nation’s top 10 college towns, Columbia combines small-town comforts, community spirit and a low cost of living with big-city culture, activities, and resources. Our city of about 120,000 people lies midway between Missouri’s largest metro areas: St. Louis and Kansas City. It is home to nationally recognized public schools including two top-ranked high schools and two other colleges and educational centers. It is packed with restaurants and entertainment venues; home to multiple parks and outdoor recreation sites such as Rock Bridge State Park and the MKT Trail; and hosts more than a dozen annual cultural festivals, such as the True/False Film Festival. Come see why Money magazine, Fortune magazine, U.S. News & World Report, Men’s Journal, MSN.com and others have all named Columbia, Missouri one of the best places in the country to live.

SALARY/BENEFITS

Commensurate with education and experience.

This position is eligible for University benefits. The University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, and educational fee discounts. For additional information on University benefits, please the Faculty and Staff Benefits website at http://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits.

LEADERSHIP RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

The faculty reports to the Department Chair in the Department of Human Development and Family Science with secondary supervision from the Director of the Nutrition, Health, and Family Extension.

HOW TO APPLY

Upload application materials including a cover letter describing research/ scholarly interests and qualifications, diversity statement, teaching philosophy, curriculum vitae, two reprints or preprints of recent manuscripts, and names and contact information for three references (no reference letters are required at this time) to: http://hrs.missouri.edu/find-a-job/academic/. Questions about the online application system are best directed to MU Human Resources at (573) 882-7976. Questions about the position should be addressed to the search committee co-chairs: 

Kale Monk (monkj@missouri.edu) and Kristin Miller (millerkris@missouri.edu).

An Equal Opportunity/Access/Affirmative Action/Pro Disabled & Veteran Employer

The University of Missouri is fully committed to achieving the goal of a diverse and inclusive academic community of faculty, staff, and students, and is an equal opportunity/access/affirmative action/pro-disabled and veteran employer. To request ADA accommodations, please contact our ADA Coordinator at 573-884-7278 (V/TTY).