College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources: Agricultural Education

Professional Development Specialist (080061)

Position Description:
The Department of Agricultural Education seeks candidates who have a strong commitment to the professional development of agricultural educators and to the mission and goals of secondary agricultural education in Missouri.

Position Responsibilites:

• Coordinate professional development and in-service programs for secondary agriculture educators. Programs include, but are not limited to, area and district seminars, technical institutes, credit and non-credit workshops, and induction program for first- and second-year teachers.
• Annually assess the educational and professional development needs of agriculture educators.
• Assist in planning and coordinating the annual agriculture teachers’ conference.
• Edit the Missouri Agricultural Education Bulletin.
• Assist Joint Staff in Agricultural Education in providing leadership for public school programs in agriculture.

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Agricultural Education or related field.
• Three years of experience teaching agriculture in public schools.
• Evidence of effective presentation, teaching, and written communication skills.
• Ability to secure the respect of agriculture teachers and stakeholders of agricultural education programs.
• Aptitude and desire to work collaboratively in a team atmosphere.
• Organizational and managerial skills to simultaneously facilitate numerous responsibilities.
• Self-starter with a positive attitude.
• Experience in assessing educational needs and curriculum development is desirable.

Salary and Start Date:
Appointment is a non-tenure track; benefit eligible position with funding provided through an annual contract with the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The position is an 80% appointment (.80 FTE) and will begin July 1, 2008.

General Information
The Department of Agricultural Education is housed within the Division of Applied Social Sciences (DASS) in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR). In addition, the DASS is the administrative home for the Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology departments, as well as the Agricultural Journalism program. Information about the Department, Division, College, and the University of Missouri can be accessed at: http://www.aged.missouri.edu.

Application Procedure:
Applications and nominations are invited. Review and screening of applications will begin April 15, 2008 and continue until position is filled. A complete application package includes: 1) Letter of interest, 2) Résumé or curriculum vita, 3) Official transcripts of all college course work, 4) Evidence of effective presentation, teaching, and written communication skills, and 5) Three professional reference letters sent directly to the contact person.

Contact:
Dr. Robert Terry, Jr., Professor and Chair
Department of Agricultural Education
121 Gentry Hall
University of Missouri
Columbia, MO 65211-7040
Voice: 573-884-7375 or 882-7451
FAX: 573-884-4444
Email: robterry@missouri.edu

The College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources strongly endorses the principles embodied in the University’s values statement - Respect, Responsibility, Discovery, and Excellence. In that context, we seek to recruit and retain outstanding scholars who are: Committed to blending service with scholarship, leaders, good colleagues who will collaborate with people from diverse disciplines and backgrounds, and flexible and adaptable in an era of rapid change.

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity – Affirmative Action Employer. To request ADA accommodations please contact our ADA Coordinator.

Date Posted:
April 2, 2008