Careers @ MSU

Position Summary(Basic Job Function)

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In alignment with the mission, programs and initiatives of MSU Extension, delivers research-based information to program participants through various methods and/or provides support and coordination of MSU Extension programs.

Unit 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:

MSU Organic Farmer Training Program is seeking someone to assist in facilitating the Detroit cohort of the OFTP learning community. This role will involve safely driving a van from Detroit for field trips, ensuring positive learning experiences during hands-on learning days at Keep Growing Detroit and assisting with online learning days. Depending on skills and interest, this role can also involve leading or co-leading some discussions and activities online or in person.

Job duties
1. Facilitating or assisting with the Organic Farmer Training Program from 9-5pm on Mondays from February to November. 
2. Field Trip Days – Safely driving a van from Detroit to farms in 5 Michigan regions, plus a 3-day trip to Chicago.
3. Hands-on Learning Days - Partnering with Molly Hubbell and Keep Growing Detroit’s OFTP instructors to ensure that Detroit hands-on days offer unique learning opportunities each week. 
5. Hands-on Learning Days - Supporting learner needs for breaks, taking a full hour break for lunch, accommodations, precautions for extreme heat, etc.
6. Hands-on Learning Days - Taking attendance and managing daily class evaluations – adding photos to a google folder for supervisor + getting paper copies to KGD instructors.
7. Hands-on Learning Days - Updating supervisor on weekly attendance, participant learning needs and concerns from Detroit; collaborating on positive solutions where needed.  
8. Driving van to East Lansing for 2 hands-on learning days at the MSU Student Organic Farm.     
9. Online Days – Occasionally managing chat, breakout rooms, links and google docs/sheets/slides and other technology while the OFTP instructor is leading online peer-to-peer learning activities.
10. Where comfortable, leading or co-leading some online activities, especially those focused on urban, non-profit and educational farms & gardens. 
11. Weekly meetings before each class, (preferably on Tuesdays, Thursdays or Friday mornings) to discuss and finalize plans and schedule for learning activities in future class days. We will also discuss issues with group dynamics, individual participant needs, class activities, pace and content from past classes. These meetings will also be an opportunity to get support on setting up direct deposit, reserving vans, requesting travel reimbursements and other MSU systems will be a part of the job. 

Desired Qualifications

• ability to facilitate inclusive, positive learning experiences for OFTP participants from various backgrounds.
• Must have a valid drivers’ license and good driving record.  
• Experience managing an urban farm, schoolyard garden or non-profit farm.
• Skills or experience with sustainable or organic farming, business planning, marketing farm products, beginning farmer resources and addressing issues of inequality in local food systems.
• Familiarity with the MSU Organic Farmer Training Program. 
• Proven ability in establishing and working with a network of constituents and community members across race, gender, national origin, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, veteran status, socioeconomic class, disabilities, and other differences.
•  Demonstrated success in program development and delivery to audiences/communities representative of the communities we serve, and proven ability in establishing and working with a 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.
• Understanding of and ability to implement Civil Rights principles and compliance standards.
• Combination of education and specific, relevant experience may be considered in lieu of degree.
• Ability to lift and carry educational materials, equipment, etc. up to 25 lbs.
• 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.
• Transportation is the responsibility of the employee.
• Proficiency in use of technology (e.g., web research, Zoom, Qualtrics, Microsoft Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook for mail/calendaring, distance technology, etc.).
• Other skills and/or physical abilities required to perform duties of the position.

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.

Work Hours

ON-CALL