Specialist - Outreach-Fixed Term

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Work type:Faculty/Academic Staff
Major Administrative Unit / College: College Of Agriculture And Nat Resources
Department: Department Of Community Sustainability 10002241
Sub Area: FAS- Fac./Acad Staff
Salary: 58000.00-65000.00 Salary Commensurate with Experience
Location:East Lansing
Categories:Agriculture, Education/Training, Fixed Term Academic Staff, Full Time (90-100%), Non-Union, Remote-Friendly

The Michigan State University (MSU) Center for Regional Food Systems within the Department of Community Sustainability is seeking a full-time Michigan Food and Farm Network Specialist for the Great Lakes Midwest Regional Food Business Center (GLM-RFBC). This position is classified as Academic Specialist – Outreach.

The Michigan Food and Farm Network Specialist will provide Michigan-based network coordination, outreach, and equitable business and technical assistance for the new GLM-RFBC. The GLM-RFBC is a large, 5-year federally funded project with regional partners that will offer extensive technical assistance and a grant program for farmers and food business entrepreneurs, prioritizing those who have been historically marginalized. As part of the farm and food business development team at CRFS, this position will build on existing initiatives and work toward the goal of creating a strong, equitable, and sustainable networked food ecosystem in partnership with local and regional organizations across the state.

The Michigan Food and Farm Network Specialist will coordinate food and farm outreach and networking activities through partnerships across the state of Michigan, including:

• Developing additional equitable business and technical assistance programming and a Michigan-based network to support and meet the needs of food and farm businesses, primarily in communities of color;
• Regularly communicating assistance opportunities with entrepreneurs and needs back to the GLM-RFBC partners and CRFS project leadership team;
• Working one-on-one with farmers and food business entrepreneurs, with a particular focus on supporting Black, Indigenous, Latine, and entrepreneurs of color, to provide the support they need and/or connections to learning opportunities, resources, and financing;
• Developing and supporting strong partnerships with key partners and other network coordinators in the region;
• Contributing to relationship-building and connectivity among and across technical assistance providers in Michigan, including municipalities, financial institutions, state agencies, non-profit organizations, consultants, and MSU, including through site visits and follow up with specific groups;
• Developing and implementing capacity building opportunities (virtual and in-person training) to increase skills and knowledge related to farm and food businesses in Michigan and for the GLM-RFBC and its partners, as needed;
• Supporting the Business Builder Grant Program Manager and the grant-making process for Michigan-based food and farm businesses, including disbursement of funds and provision of technical assistance to entrepreneurs and disbursement of funds to TA providers;
• Gathering and recording data about activities conducted;
• Interpreting, synthesizing, and sharing about activities through public reports, presentations, and other outreach materials and methods and contributing to project reports, work plans, and other deliverables;
• Participating in GLM-RFBC and CRFS farm and food business team meetings as needed;
• Actively developing, managing, and nurturing working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, and listening to, respecting, and responding to community voices and needs;
• Regularly communicating activities with GLM-RFBC partners and CRFS and ensuring activities accurately reflect partnerships, goals, and values; and
• Performing other duties related to this role not explicitly stated above.

Expectations for CRFS academic specialists

• Contribute to relationship-building and regularly convene and/or collaborate with CRFS staff and state, regional, national partners virtually and in person;
• Engage with relevant networks led by CRFS and/or partners and appropriate professional organizations;
• Provide leadership for outreach, training, technical assistance, evaluation and research, data collection and/or analysis, including through web-based platforms, electronic surveys, etc., and share results;
• Develop papers, resources, and other creative forms of scholarship in a timely fashion for diverse audiences, including practitioners, stakeholders, the general public, and academics. Publication examples include reports, fact sheets, guides, videos, webinars, and journal articles;
• Present on outreach, research and/or education projects and findings at conferences, meetings, and other venues, which may include scholarly, government, association, and community audiences;
• Document and share project work and accomplishments; maintain regular internal and external communication about project activities; develop and report on an annual plan of work;
• Actively participate in CRFS staff and strategic meetings and stay current on CRFS projects, activities, resources and publications as relevant to this work;
• Represent projects and CRFS in a professional manner in all forms of engagement and communication; and
• Help to foster, facilitate, and maintain the CRFS culture and values of collaboration, shared vision, place, equity and accountability.

Status

 This is a full-time, annual year (12-month), fixed-term position. Initial appointment will be for one year with annual reappointment throughout this 5-year project contingent upon funding and performance.

Current MSU Benefit Highlights

Compensation for this academic specialist position includes generous paid time off; a 10% retirement match with a 5% employee contribution to the base retirement plan; health and dental insurance plan options; education assistance benefits for employee and dependents; employer-paid life insurance; and a large menu of voluntary benefits. Additional details about benefits at Michigan State University can be found on the MSU Benefits website .

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.

Masters

• Master’s degree.
• Minimum of two years of experience working with agriculture or food enterprises.
• Demonstrated experience using an equity lens in food systems educational programming and working with multicultural and diverse populations.
• Demonstrated leadership and project and team management skills in collaborative work environments preferred. Experience with network building and group facilitation preferred.
• Proven ability to effectively and diplomatically engage and collaborate with diverse stakeholder groups such as project grantees, nonprofit, academic, and governmental organizations, and funders.
• Demonstrated resourcefulness and ability to problem-solve and think critically. Proven ability to self-direct and balance multiple projects simultaneously and to easily shift between working independently and as part of a team.
• Demonstrated strong written and verbal communications skills and experience using a broad range of communication tactics.
• Fluency in Spanish desired.
• Understanding of, and committed to, a culture of anti-racism and inclusivity.
• High degree of knowledge of, and comfort and flexibility with, using technology in completing job requirements including Microsoft Office suite; online search, file-sharing, and collaboration platforms; electronic survey and data analysis software; and phone/web conferencing systems. Experience with Salesforce preferred.
• Available and willing to occasionally travel by car throughout the state and, less frequently, by plane within the U.S., including overnight. Possession of a valid, current state driver’s license required.
• Residency within the state of Michigan.

• CV or resume.
• Cover letter describing your interest in and qualifications for the position. Include a statement that specifically addresses the alignment between your goals and the Racial Equity Statement of CRFS, including summary of your experience with, or interest in working in, diverse communities and with diverse stakeholders.
• Names and contact information for three (3) professional references.

Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

If you have questions about the position or search process, you may contact Jamie Rahrig at [email protected] .

MSU strives to provide a flexible work environment and this position has been designated as remote-friendly. Remote-friendly means some or all of the duties can be performed remotely as mutually agreed upon.

https://www.canr.msu.edu/foodsystems/

Center for Regional Food Systems (CRFS)

The mission of the Center for Regional Food Systems at Michigan State University is to work to engage the people of Michigan, the United States and the world in applied research, education, and outreach to develop regionally integrated, sustainable food systems.

CRFS Racial Equity Statement

CRFS recognizes that racism in the food system is historic, ongoing, and systemic. As we collaborate with partners to advance food systems rooted in local regions and centered on food that is healthy, green, fair, and affordable, we emphasize racial equity as a foundation of our work.

MSU Affirmative Action Statement

The MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) at Michigan State University is committed to achieving excellence by creating and sustaining an accessible and inclusive culture that values cultural and academic diversity. We are an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. The CANR is particularly interested in candidates of all backgrounds who are committed to the principle that academic excellence is achieved through open access and proactive inclusion.

MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer and is committed to achieving excellence through cultural diversity. The university actively encourages applications and/or nominations of women, persons of color, veterans, and persons with disabilities. Michigan State University employment opportunities are open to eligible/qualified persons without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, or family status. Michigan State University is a pioneer Land Grant institution based in East Lansing, Michigan that provides regional, national, and international leadership in basic and applied research, excellence in teaching, an emphasis on international engagement, and a strong extension program that partners with diverse stakeholders to bring science-based responses to social and environmental challenges.

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:Dec 20, 2023 Eastern Standard Time
Applications close:Jan 29, 2024 Eastern Standard Time