Careers @ MSU

Working/Functional Title

Genesee Community Food Systems Prog Inst

Position Summary

Michigan State University Extension is committed to fostering a welcoming and collaborative environment, which requires all staff to contribute toward a vision for success regardless of title or position within the organization. We strive to create a positive culture, access to resources, and a sense of belonging for staff, partners, and programming participants. This means that all staff at MSU Extension are dedicated to the following:

• We work together to ensure that programming is available to all audiences, creates meaningful and positive impacts for participants, and demonstrates partnership and collaboration across communities.
• We understand that a welcoming and respectful environment is built through the efforts of everyone.
• We foster an environment that welcomes a broad range of perspectives and experiences, ensuring that all individuals have the opportunity to contribute and thrive.
• We ensure that every team member is prepared with the skills and resources to contribute to our welcoming and supportive culture.
• We foster an environment that values a range of perspectives, skills, and experiences by working to ensure access to programming for communities.
• We commit to continuous learning and engagement to better serve Michigan residents and meet the evolving needs of communities.
• We recognize that broad accessibility and collaboration are essential elements of our work and are vital to organizational and programmatic success.
• We embrace a culture of understanding, coaching, and feedback toward 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 Community Food Systems Team and as part of Genesee County MSU Extension staff team.

As a team member of Community Food Systems Team, you will oversee and ensure program/project promotion and expansion activities and assist with data gathering for impact evaluation efforts. You will work in conjunction with your supervisor, program participants and community partners to attain both short-term and long-term goals and objectives. Through your supervising educator, you will work in concert with the appropriate MSU Extension Institute and/or work team(s) to ensure alignment of programs with overall goals of work team, Institute and organization.

In this role, you will plan, organize, and deliver educational programming focused on school and community gardening. This includes managing the D2L course and coordinating both in-person and live online sessions. You will promote and support local mini-grant and education opportunities, ensuring they align with program goals and community needs. You will connect farmers with local marketing opportunities, distribute educational materials, and conduct outreach to organizations such as senior centers to boost participation. You will represent MSU Extension at growers’ gatherings, fostering collaboration with local producers.

You will be responsible for delivering engaging content on local and seasonal foods, sharing preparation techniques, and providing gardening resources. You will actively promote vegetable gardening and local food systems in Genesee County, and support the development and evaluation of a new local foods promotion course. You will maintain informational boards at farmers markets and seek new outreach opportunities at community events.

Additionally, you will guide and occasionally supervise volunteers and lead outreach efforts with a strong focus on community engagement and event-based instruction.

There will be space available for this position to work from Genesee 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 is an off-dated position funded for one year from the date of hire with possible extension contingent upon funding renewal.

Characteristic Duties/Responsibilities

• Plan, organize and carry out programs that focus on the specific area of educational programming.
• Operates somewhat independently, with minimal supervision, ensuring that program delivery follows prescribed guidelines and meets the goals for reaching specific audiences.
• Develop and maintain positive working relationships intra- and inter-organizationally and create and promote positive public relations for MSU Extension and Community, Food and Environment Institute.
• Understand and support the Community, Food and Environment Institute’s efforts in culture, access, and belonging, with a special emphasis on reaching populations representative of the communities we serve, 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.
• Initiate efforts to expand MSU Extension programs to ensure that community needs assessments, program development and recruitment efforts include the engagement of Michigan’s residents across race, gender, socioeconomic class, disabilities and other differences.
• Collaborate with the appropriate MSU Extension Institute work teams.
• Provide expertise and information to clientele related to program area.
• Plan, organize and implement programs that are relevant to program area and meet the needs of local residents.
• Work to identify and remove barriers from participation in MSU Extension programs.
• Attend various and related local program meetings or committee meetings, as well as community planning activities, as appropriate.
• Other duties as may be assigned by supervisor.

• Actively participate in a variety of professional development opportunities to attain and retain program knowledge and delivery skills.
• Create, promote, and represent MSU Extension in activities, meetings, etc. in a manner that reflects collegial connection with the community, the research and knowledge of the University, and the goodwill of MSU Extension.
• Ensure that audiences representative of the communities we serve are reached through traditional and newly developed programs.
• Provide information and opportunities for learning through the use of technology, mass media, group meetings, workshops, and individual contacts.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and two years of experience in program management and delivery in agriculture, nutrition, food systems, 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 varied economic backgrounds and perspectives of the target population served.
• Proficiency in use of technology (e.g., web research, Zoom, Qualtrics, Microsoft Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook for mail/calendaring, distance technology, etc.).
• 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.
• Other skills and/or physical abilities required to perform duties of the position.

Desired Qualifications

• Demonstrated drive and initiative, with proven ability to manage multiple responsibilities and tasks simultaneously.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate, facilitate, and evaluate educational programming.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills
• Competency in computer skills such as word processing (Microsoft Word©), presentation software and equipment, Email, and the Internet. Desired skills in TEAMS, Concur, SAP, and EBS.
• Experience with budgets and purchasing.
• Experience with marketing/promotion of educational programs.
• Ability to work as a productive member of community coalitions.
• Ability to accept responsibility.
• Effective organizational skills.

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 is an off-dated position funded for one year from the date of hire with possible extension contingent upon funding renewal.

Please note this is a union position represented by AFT Michigan. The university is working with the union to establish a collective bargaining agreement.

Work Hours

Generally 40 hours Monday through Friday, with some nights and weekends needed.

Description of End Date

12 months. This is an off-dated position funded for one year from the date of hire with possible extension contingent upon funding renewal.

Website

https://youtu.be/KjG34cLt9a8