Working/Functional Title

SE MI Local Foods, Innovation Counselor

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 regional leadership in local food growth in Southeast Michigan, with an emphasis in Washtenaw County. This position specifically focuses on providing education, consulting, and networking to farmers and food-makers conducting sales in local marketplaces.

In this position, you will identify, design, implement and evaluate research-based educational programs, and provide one-on-one counseling to food and farm businesses in Southeast Michigan. Counseling will include topics related to business planning and development, food safety, product development, licensing and regulation, marketing and distribution, post-harvest handling, and more. Your outreach efforts will also support marketing of the services of MSU Extension and the MSU Product Center, including active participation in the planning and implementation of MSU Extension annual conferences and events, such as the Making it in Michigan Conference and Trade Show, and the MSUE Fall Extension Conference. You will evaluate the effectiveness of programming and outreach efforts and impacts by conducting follow-up evaluations with clients and community partners and will serve as an information resource to clientele, partners, and Extension staff.

Your work will include close collaboration with colleagues at MSU and MSU Extension, as well as a diverse network of partner groups. Through your work you will be expected to develop new partnerships with internal and external community and industry groups. You will host workshops, webinars, trainings, and other educational experiences for food and farm businesses. Additionally, you will publish written materials (articles, bulletins, factsheets, guides, etc.) and other media materials (podcasts, videos, etc.) with messaging and content that is accessible and inclusive and is consistent with CFEI messaging on topics related to the local food system and food and farm business development. Your efforts will demonstrate program effectiveness and help to guide future program priorities for MSU Extension, the CFEI, MSU Product Center, and appropriate work teams.

Although negotiable, there will be space available for this position to work from the Washtenaw County MSU Extension office.

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.

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, plan, organize, implement, and evaluate educational 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 and the CFEI.
• Communicate and interact with community groups to evaluate the needs of the clientele.
• Understand and support the Community, Food and Environment Institute’s efforts in Civil Rights, diversity, equity, and inclusion, 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 in rural, suburban, and urban communities, and where applicable, increasing programmatic delivery and participation in urban centers.
• 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 community 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, MSU Product Center, and appropriate work teams.
• Serve as an information resource for clientele, partners, and Extension staff.
• Author, produce and submit regular research-based educational materials and articles.
• Actively participate in professional development opportunities.
• Other duties or projects assigned by the Director of the Community, Food and Environment Institute, and the MSU Product Center.

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 Degree

Masters -Food Systems, Food Business, Economics, Food Marketing, or related

Minimum Requirements

• Master’s degree from an accredited institution in a field of study related to community food systems, food business, economics, food marketing, or related field must be earned by date of hire.
• 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.
• Ability to create and carry out a project plan from development of initial concept to project completion and follow-up.
• Experience with marketing/promotion of educational programs.
• 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 delivery/communication technology, etc.) for day-to-day work and educational program delivery, record keeping, reporting, team-based communications, data analysis/retrieval, and overall management.
• 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, 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.
• Understanding of and ability to implement Civil Rights, principles, and compliance standards.
• Ability to lift and carry educational materials, equipment, etc. up to 25 lbs.
• Ability to regularly travel locally in southeast Michigan, and surrounding communities, as well as occasional long-distance travel outside the assigned area, is required to perform duties of this position.
• Transportation is the responsibility of the employee.
• Other skills and/or physical abilities required to perform duties of the position.

Desired Qualifications

• 3-years of 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).
• Familiarity with licensing, regulation, marketing, distribution, and other topics related to food production and manufacturing.
• Familiarity with barriers farmers face when transacting in local markets.
• Demonstrated skills and professional development from the last five years related to cultural competency and inclusive excellence.
• Experience in successful contract and grant writing, including securing and managing grant funds and resources.
• Demonstrated drive and initiative, with proven ability to manage multiple responsibilities and tasks simultaneously.

Required Application Materials

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

Special Instructions

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.

Website

https://youtu.be/KjG34cLt9a8

MSU Statement

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.