Extension Program Instructor | Michigan State University
Michigan State University
Location
Novi, MI | United States
Job description
Working/Functional Title
Sustainable Agriculture Program Instr.
Position Summary
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 leadership and oversight of local programs, clients, and participants, related to MSU Extension (MSUE) production agriculture at the MSU Tollgate Farm (Farm). This position is responsible for day-to-day management of sustainable agriculture production and programming at the Farm.
As a team member of the MSU Tollgate Farm and Education Center and the Community Food System (CFS) work team, you will coordinate the MSU Tollgate Farm Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, including budget development and oversight, marketing CSA shares, newsletter development and other elements related to the success of the CSA program. You will partner with the MSU Extension staff and College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) departmental faculty to provide MSU Tollgate Farm sustainable agriculture operations as a platform for executing programming and research.
In this role, you will contribute to the overall planning and implementation of agriculture production and food related events at MSU Tollgate Farm including developing internal and external relationships to maximize program impact with a commitment to reaching diverse populations. You will assist with general MSU Tollgate Farm events as assigned, such as the Holiday Lights at the Farm, Pumpkinfest, and Farm to Table and assist with other programs as needed.
You will be responsible for communicating regularly with staff and work to integrate the vegetable and fruit production with educational programs on site as the content expert and provide an agricultural context for education in support of school and community field trips, camps, early childhood programming and assist other programmers in integrating plants and food grown on site into educational programs. Working in conjunction with your supervisor, CFEI and/or work team(s), program participants, and community partners, you will work to attain and align programs with both short-term and long-term goals and objectives of work team(s), Institute, and organization as well as work to maintain a productive and safe environment.
You will work at the MSU Tollgate Farm, a 160-acre farm located in the suburbs of Detroit, MI.
This position may be eligible to utilize a flexible work environment, however, there is an expectation to work from a MSU Extension County office. The needs, responsibilities, and opportunities of an individual’s position and office location drive the ability and amount of work-location flexibility. A typical work week will follow a Monday-Friday schedule, however weekend and evening work may be required.
This position is a full-time, fixed term end-dated appointment, renewable annually based upon continued funding.
Characteristic Duties/Responsibilities
- Collaborate with appropriate MSU Extension work teams, including the MSU Extension Community, Food and Environment Institute work teams.
- Provide expertise and information and act as a community resources for public inquires related to sustainable agriculture production.
- Operates somewhat independently, with minimal supervision, ensuring that program delivery follows prescribed guidelines and meets the goals for reaching specific audiences.
- Attend various and related local program meetings or committee meetings, as well as community planning activities, as appropriate.
- Plan, organize and carry out programs that focus on sustainable agriculture production, educational activities and programming, including the Apprenticeship, Community Support Agriculture and Beginning Farmer Incubator programs.
- Understand and support the Community, Food and Environment Institute’s efforts in diversity, equity, and inclusion, with a special emphasis on 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.
- Initiate efforts to expand MSU Extension programs to ensure that the needs of the community, program development and recruitment efforts include the engagement of Michigan’s diverse residents across race, gender, socioeconomic class, disabilities, and other differences.
- Develop and maintain positive working relationships intra- and inter-organizationally and create and promote positive public relations for MSU Tollgate Farm and Education Center (MSU Extension, CFEI).
- Plan, organize and implement programs that are relevant to sustainable agriculture production, educational activities and programming, including the Apprenticeship and Community Support Agriculture programs and meet the needs of program participants.
- Other duties or projects as assigned by the supervisor.
Unit Specific Education/Experience/Skills
- Bachelor’s degree and two years of experience in program management and delivery in agriculture, food systems, environmental science or studies, or related field.
- Combination of education and specific, relevant experience may be considered in lieu of degree.
- 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.
- Effective oral and written communication skills.
- Travel in local and surrounding communities and occasional long-distance travel are required as a regular part of this position.
- Proficiency in use of technology (e.g., web research, Zoom, Qualtrics, Microsoft Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook for mail/calendaring, distance technology, etc.).
- 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.
- Experience and proven ability working productively with a team serving in both leadership and contributor roles.
- Ability to lift and carry educational materials, equipment, etc. up to 50 lbs.
- Transportation is the responsibility of the employee.
- Other skills and/or physical abilities required to perform duties of the position.
Desired Qualifications
- Three years of experience on a production farm with a vegetable focus, with at least two years in a management role.
- Two years of experience delivering educational programming, ideally to both youth and adult audiences.
- Knowledge and experience safely operating farm machinery including John Deere H240 Loader, manure spreader, Gator, Bobcat, zero-turn mower, rototillers, 70 hp tractor with bucket and forks, plow, disc harrow, spader, bush hog, plastic mulch layer, BCS with rotofiller, precision depth roller, roller crimper, and irrigation pump and a wide variety of implements used for organic vegetable production.
- Ability to complete training to acquire essential knowledge to operate equipment.
- Demonstrated drive and initiative, with proven ability to manage multiple responsibilities and tasks simultaneously.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
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.
Required Application Materials
- Current resume/CV.
- Cover letter.
- Four (4) professional references including at least two (2) prior or current supervisors.
Special Instructions
This position is a full-time, end-dated appointment renewable annually based on continued funding.
Work Hours
Generally 40 hours Monday through Friday, with some nights and weekends needed.
Description of End Date
12 months. This position is a full-time, fixed term end-dated appointment, renewable annually based upon continued funding.
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Summary of Physical Demands
Mildly disagreeable working conditions involving exposure to adverse weather conditions/outdoor weather conditions. This position requires heavy physical exertion, including ability to sit, stand, bend, stoop and stretch; involves handling animals and operation of equipment; lifting, carrying, pushing, moving and driving are a regular part of this position, including hay and harvested crops of over 50 pounds frequently.
About Michigan State University
Spartans work every day to advance the common good in uncommon ways.Together, we tackle some of the world?s toughest problems to find solutions that make life better?from alternative energy to better food safety to breakthrough medical and environmental applications achieved through rare isotope research.We teach. We explore and we discover. We collaborate and lead. We innovate, inspire, and empower. We achieve our potential and create circumstances that help our students and others achieve theirs.We're good at it, and we've been at it for more than 150 years.The nation?s pioneer land-grant university, MSU began as a bold experiment that democratized higher education and helped bring science and innovation into everyday life. The revolutionary concept became a model for the nation.Today, MSU is one of the top research universities in the world?on one of the biggest, greenest campuses in the nation. Home to nationally ranked and recognized academic, residential college, and service-learning programs, we?re a diverse community of dedicated students and scholars, athletes and artists, scientists and leaders.In ways both practical and profound, we work to create a stronger, more sustainable, and more hopeful future for all.
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