Extension Specialist - Division of Food, Nutrition and Exercise Sciences

The Division of Food, Nutrition and Exercise Sciences is seeking an Extension Specialist with experience in food science, food safety certifications and food safety education. The incumbent will work with MU’s Food Processing and Safety Lab and the Missouri Agriculture, Food and Forestry Innovation Center (MAFFIC) as well as other Extension colleagues to build effective working relationships with others across campus and the state to support food safety outreach, education, and services for Missouri’s farms and value-added food businesses. This position will be a 12-month appointment, anticipated to be 100% Extension in effort, and will report primarily to the State Extension Specialist of Food Processing with secondary supervision from the Education Director of Extension Ag Business & Policy. Assignments are subject to annual negotiation between the faculty member and leadership.

Core Duties of Extension Faculty

·         Educate. MU Extension educators design, conduct, and evaluate educational programs. MU Extension educators 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 inclusive educational programs that support Missouri's diverse learners and clients' individual, organizational, and community goals.

·         Create. MU Extension educators 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 educators obtain and use extramural funding to support creative works. MU Extension educators 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 educators engage with learners, stakeholders, volunteers, and communities, including county extension councils, government officials and agencies, partners, and University and professional organizations. MU Extension educators listen and respond with care. MU Extension educators intentionally foster diversity, equity, and inclusiveness via engaged partnerships and robust connections to the vast array of programs offered by the University of Missouri System.

Key Responsibilities of the position the Extension Specialist will:

·         Independently carry-out projects on food safety and processing for university and external clients including: one-on-one consultations with food and farm businesses to identify the appropriate next steps to safely manufacture and market their food products, and food safety services through the MU Food Processing and Safety Lab.

·         Collaborate with other Mizzou faculty members and MU Extension personnel to produce appropriate communications that help Missouri food producers navigate and plan the transition to commercialize their products.

·         Assist and/or conduct meetings, workshops, and field tours; develop educational materials; and provide technical service for producers.

·         Engage with local producers, county/state/federal food safety agencies, Missouri Department of Agriculture and other non-governmental organizations.

·         Build strong relationships with producer groups, agribusinesses, and government agencies to identify ongoing and emerging needs to improve Missouri's value-added agri-food business.

·         Write reports and information briefs; synthesize and present findings to key stakeholders.

·         Effectively engage with Food Science, MAFFIC and MU Extension faculty to identify, secure, and manage external funding opportunities.

·         Supervise student employees and a team of food processors, training them for food safety and product testing.

·         Provide professional development and training on food safety topics for internal and external audiences.

·         Develop and implement evaluation tools for measuring and reporting program impact.

·         Conduct all activities per the Civil Rights Acts, Title IX, Rehabilitation, Americans with Disabilities Act, and local, state, and regional affirmative action plans.

·         Other duties and responsibilities as assigned to support the mission of MU Extension.

·         Master’s degree in Food Science or allied field

Candidates will be evaluated on:

·         Expertise with Missouri, FDA, and USDA food safety regulations

·         Expertise working directly with small food and farm businesses to address food safety questions and concerns

·         Demonstrated ability to obtain and manage externally funded projects

·         Demonstrated ability as a highly-effective communicator in written and verbal form, including well-designed, informative reports and presentations

·         Experience in manufacturing acid, acidified and low acid foods

·         Demonstrated ability to effectively and independently engage and communicate with external stakeholders including county and state health authorities

·         A demonstrated record of working in teams to provide food safety services and or education

·         Food safety certifications including one or more of the following Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP), Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI- human food), and Better Process Control Schools (BPCS),

·         Experience with Cooperative Extension System,

·         Must be authorized to work in the U.S. Sponsorship is not available for this position

·         The employment is renewed on an annual basis based on satisfactory performance

To apply for this position, please visit the MU web site at http://hrs.missouri.edu/find-a-job/academic/ - Job ID 51118. Applications should include: A letter of interest, resume or C.V., academic transcripts (unofficial), and the names of three references. Applicants must include a written statement on their philosophy for promoting the university’s core values.

Start date is negotiable.

Review of applications will begin April 10, 2024.  

Dr. Lakshmikantha “Kantha” Channaiah, Assistant Professor, Search Committee Chair ([email protected])

Official transcripts may be required for any candidate who is offered the position. Questions regarding the position can be addressed to the Search Committee Chair.

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses.  For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits . 

Values Commitment
We value the uniqueness of every individual and strive to ensure each person’s success. Contributions from individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives promote intellectual pluralism and enable us to achieve the excellence that we seek in learning, research and engagement.  This commitment makes our university a better place to work, learn and innovate.

In your application materials, please discuss your experiences and expertise that support these values and enrich our missions of teaching, research, and engagement.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri System is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Equal Opportunity is and shall be provided for all employees and applicants for employment on the basis of their demonstrated ability and competence without unlawful discrimination on the basis of their race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable state or federal law. This policy applies to all employment decisions including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, training, promotions, pay practices, benefits, disciplinary actions and terminations. For more information, visit https://www.umsystem.edu/ums/hr/eeo or call the Director of Employee and Labor Relations at 573-882-2146.
To request ADA accommodations, please call the Director of Accessibility and ADA at 573-884-7278.