Extension Educator-Fixed

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Work type:Extension, Faculty/Academic Staff
Major Administrative Unit / College: Michigan State University Extension
Department: Extension Community Food And Environment 10058942
Sub Area: FAS- Fac./Acad Staff
Salary: Salary Commensurate with Experience
Location:Novi, Oakland
Categories:Agriculture, Education/Training, Advising/Counseling, Fixed Term Academic Staff, Full Time (90-100%), Non-Union

Tollgate Farm Camps and Public Programs

Michigan State University Extension is committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive organization, which requires all staff to contribute towards a vision for success. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are central to our work, regardless of title or position within the organization. This means that all staff at MSU Extension are dedicated to the following:

• We work together to ensure that programming is delivered to diverse audiences, produces equitable impacts for all participants, and demonstrates partnership and inclusion for all groups.
• We embrace that it is everyone’s job to create a culture that promotes diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.
• We ensure that every team member is prepared with the skills and resources to contribute to our welcoming and inclusive culture.
• We foster inclusion by recognizing and valuing diverse perspectives, skills, experiences, and work to create equal access to programming for communities.
• We commit to continuous learning for diversity, equity, and cultural competency, in order to achieve inclusive excellence.
• We understand that diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential elements to our work and are vital to the organizational culture and programmatic success of MSU Extension.
• We embrace a culture of understanding, coaching and feedback towards achieving a vision of success for the entire organization and its staff.
• Together we will achieve success and we commit to these goals in our work, continued education, and ongoing efforts.  

POSITION SUMMARY

As part of MSU Extension (MSUE) and the Community, Food and Environment Institute (CFEI), this position provides local leadership for day camps, and additional public programming at the MSU Tollgate Farm and Education Center (Tollgate). This position will collaborate across work teams, Institutes, and community groups, working with faculty, specialists, and educators for overall advancement of the needs of Institute clientele.

Located in Oakland County, the MSU Tollgate Farm and Education Center promotes food system awareness through exploring the sustainable, nutritional, and cultural aspects of agriculture. Tollgate’s programming educates the public about food production while encouraging ethical food producers. Year-round Tollgate provides a platform to provide hands-on educational opportunities for youth and their families. During the summer months, MSU Extension offers summer enrichment programming that includes 4-H day-camps for young people ages 5-19.

MSU Extension is seeking an educator for Tollgate’s public programs and camps who will further the mission of the MSU Tollgate Farm through the planning and delivery of day camps, and additional public programming. In this role, you will provide leadership and oversight of local programs and all aspects of summer camp programming including recruiting counselors, supervising counselors, planning programming, managing registration, ensuring compliance with MSU and 4-H policies, and creating a safe, fun, accessible, inclusive, and educational experience for youth for the nine weeks of summer. Day camp activities are fun, safe, and appropriate to the campers’ age and abilities.

You will also work closely with the Tollgate Farm’s education team to grow and develop new programmatic opportunities. You will provide input to the Tollgate director on the types and quantities of agriculture production activities taking place at Tollgate to effectively execute education programs. You will also be expected to attend and serve on various program committees and council meetings, as well as community planning activities to facilitate program development and implementation. You will be expected to pursue grants, sponsorships, and donations in collaboration with the Tollgate director and the Michigan State University Advancement team.

In this role, you will identify, design, implement, and evaluate research-based educational programs that ensure program/project promotion and expansion. Through your leadership, you will assist with data gathering for impact evaluation efforts, work in conjunction with your supervisor, the Tollgate Farm team, program participants, and community partners to attain both short-term and long-term goals and objectives. You will be responsible for preparing and maintaining program/project records and reports, evaluating programs and initiatives to promote the impact of MSU Tollgate Farm, and to communicate those impacts of place-based education on local, state, and national levels.

This position will work from the MSU Tollgate Education Farm, located in Oakland County, Novi, Michigan. In conjunction with large events and special programs, weekend and evening hours will be required.

This position may be eligible to utilize a flexible work environment, however, there is an expectation to work from the Tollgate Farm. The needs, responsibilities, and opportunities of an individual’s position and office location drive the ability and amount of work-location flexibility.

This position is a full-time, fixed term end-dated appointment, renewable annually based upon successful performance and continued funding.

Characteristic Duties/Responsibilities

• Identify, develop, conduct, and evaluate innovative educational camps and programs that meet current and projected statewide needs, and supports growth and understanding of critical issues facing people in Michigan.
• Develop and maintain positive working relationships intra- and inter-organizationally and create and promote positive public relations for MSU Extension, the CFEI, and the MSU Tollgate Farm and Education Center.
• Understand and support the Community, Food and Environment Institute’s efforts in diversity, equity, inclusion, and Civil Rights, with a special emphasis on removing barriers from participation and reaching diverse populations, including but not limited to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, or veteran status, socio-economic class, and other human differences.
• Communicate and interact with community groups to evaluate opportunities and needs.
• In concert with the MSU Extension work team(s), work with federal, state, and county agencies to complete needs assessment of the community and develop effective programming.
• Develop and utilize appropriate media methods to communicate current and timely information, research results, and relevant industry updates, as well as a schedule of current and future activities.
• Collaborate with MSU Extension staff to gather and report programming outputs and impacts, to demonstrate program effectiveness, and to guide future program priorities for MSU Extension, the CFEI and work teams.
• Serve as an information resource to clientele, partners, and Extension staff.
• Actively participate in professional development opportunities.
• Other duties or projects as assigned by the Institute Director or Tollgate Farm Director.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Bachelors -Agriculture, Business, Environmental an/

Masters -Agriculture, Business, Environmental an/

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in a field of study related to agriculture, business, environmental and/or place-based education, or other environmental fields, and/or related field must be earned by date of hire, with an expectation to complete a master’s degree within a specified time frame, in a related field, after employment; or, master’s degree from an accredited institution in a field of study related to agriculture, business, environmental and/or place-based education, or other environmental fields, and/or related field must be earned by date of hire.
• Prior experience in nature/agriculture place-based education camps, staff management, and budgetary/administrative responsibilities.
• Demonstrated ability and skill in educational program planning, implementation, and evaluation.
• Ability to demonstrate sensitivity, knowledge, and use of appropriate approaches, skills, and techniques, which reflect an understanding and awareness of social, cultural, and economic diversity of the target population served.
• Demonstrated success in program development and delivery to diverse audiences/communities, and proven ability in establishing and working with a diverse network of constituents and community members across race, color, gender, national origin, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, veteran status, socioeconomic class, and other differences.
• Ability to create and carry out a project plan from research of initial concept to project completion and follow-up.
• Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
• Experience and proven ability working productively with a team serving in both leadership and contributor roles.
• Self-motivated with demonstrated ability to work independently in an office environment without daily supervision and/or coaching.
• Proficiency in use of technology (e.g., web research, Zoom, Qualtrics, Microsoft Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook for mail/calendaring, distance technology, etc.) for day-to-day work and educational program delivery, record keeping, reporting, team-based communications, and overall management.
• Ability to travel in local and surrounding communities, and occasional long-distance travel are required as a regular part of this position.
• Ability to lift and carry educational materials, equipment, etc. up to 25 lbs.
• Transportation is the responsibility of the employee.
• Demonstrated skills and professional development from the last five years related to cultural competency and inclusive excellence.
• Experience with marketing/promotion of educational programs.
• Understanding of and ability to implement Civil Rights principles and compliance standards.
• Other skills and/or physical abilities required to perform duties of the position.

• 3-years’ experience in Extension program delivery or demonstrated ability and skill in educational program planning, implementation, and evaluation (relevant experience acquired within the last 5-years, preferred).
• Supervisory experience, at least 2 years preferred.
• Demonstrated drive and initiative, with proven ability to manage multiple responsibilities and tasks simultaneously.
• Experience in successful contract and grant writing, including securing and managing grant funds and resources.

• Current resume/CV.
• Cover letter.
• Four (4) professional references including two (2) current or previous supervisors.

This position is a full-time, fixed term end-dated appointment, renewable annually based upon successful performance and continued funding.

Starting salary $56,100/year, commensurate with education and experience.

https://youtu.be/KjG34cLt9a8

Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.

Advertised:Feb 5, 2024 Eastern Standard Time
Applications close:Feb 26, 2024 Eastern Standard Time