Careers @ MSU

Working/Functional Title

Financial and Homeownership Instructor

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, this position provides leadership and oversight of local programs, for clients and participants, related to MSU Extension as part of the Financial and Homeownership Education Team.

As a member of the Financial and Homeownership Education 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 actively engage in ongoing professional development to build and maintain current program knowledge and effective delivery skills. You will represent MSU Extension in community activities, meetings, and collaborative efforts in a manner that reflects collegial partnerships, the research‑based mission of the University, and the goodwill of MSU Extension. You will develop and deliver programming that ensures audiences reflective of the communities served are reached through both established and emerging methods, using a variety of delivery approaches including technology, mass media, group meetings, workshops, and individual contacts.

You will provide outreach and education through the planning and delivery of workshops and trainings that respond to community and participant needs. Program topics may include, but are not limited to, budgeting, savings, banking products, credit building, identity theft, homebuyer education, foreclosure, and post‑foreclosure issues. You will also deliver training opportunities designed to strengthen the capacity of human service agency professionals through financial literacy instruction. In addition, you will provide pre‑purchase and foreclosure counseling services for Macomb County residents who require individualized support, while ensuring all required documentation, tracking, and reporting are completed in compliance with MSU Extension Financial and Homeownership Education program requirements.

Through educational programming and counseling, you will work to improve consumer knowledge and skills related to financial management techniques and decision‑making processes. You will support participants in addressing current financial challenges while helping them gain a broader understanding of their overall financial health, with an emphasis on proactive financial management and foreclosure prevention. Your responsibilities will include administrative tasks such as client intake, data entry and tracking, monthly reporting, and program evaluation activities. You will maintain awareness of local, state, and federal homeowner assistance programs and, with support from MSU Extension, pursue required coursework to obtain HUD Certified Housing Counselor credentials.

You will contribute to the effective use of financial, homeownership, and pre‑ and post‑foreclosure education as part of broader social, economic, and community development efforts. You will represent MSU Extension on Human Services Coordinating Councils and participate in financial literacy outreach and engagement events. In this role, you will remain informed on evolving financial and homeownership issues, communicate regularly with community partners to assess clientele needs, and collaborate with members of the Financial and Homeownership Education Team to support statewide program goals.

Although negotiable, there will be space available for this position to work from Macomb 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 virtual and in-person delivery of financial education, homeownership education, and foreclosure counseling programming. Must be willing to meet with clients to conduct one-on-one direct education.
• 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, coalitions, or committee meetings, as well as community planning activities, as appropriate.
• Other duties as may be assigned by supervisor.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and two years of experience in program management and delivery in Family and Consumer Sciences, Housing, Social Work, Economics, Finance and/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.
• 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.
• 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 25 lbs.
• Transportation is the responsibility of the employee.
• Demonstrated skills and professional development from the last five years related to cultural competency and inclusive excellence.
• Understanding of and ability to implement Civil Rights principles and compliance standards.

Desired Qualifications

• HUD Certified Housing Counselor. If candidate is not a certified housing counselor, professional development will be provided through MSU Extension to pursue this certification.
• 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 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.

Work Hours

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

Description of End Date

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/R58m2-um5Mg?si=Qra8RMsP