Working/Functional Title
4-H Public Engagement & Comm. Coord.
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
This position provides communications, marketing, and public relations support for the MSU Extension Children and Youth Institute, including Michigan 4-H Youth Development and the Michigan 4-H Foundation. As the Communications Coordinator, you will develop and implement integrated communications and marketing strategies that increase awareness, engagement, and support for Michigan 4-H among youth, volunteers, families, alumni, donors, partners, and the general public.
Your duties include creating, writing, editing, and managing a wide range of print, digital, and social media content that supports organizational goals and priorities. You will develop feature stories, newsletters, annual reports, marketing materials, and promotional campaigns that highlight the impact and value of Michigan 4-H programs and initiatives. You will be responsible for maintaining website and digital content to ensure information is accurate, current, and engaging for a variety of audiences. You will also support media relations and public outreach efforts by preparing communications materials and responding to inquiries as appropriate. In support of strategic communication efforts, you will coordinate the design, production, and distribution of communications resources and marketing materials. You will research and analyze data to identify and communicate program outcomes, success stories, and impact. In this role, you will support fundraising, donor stewardship, and engagement communications for the Michigan 4-H Foundation and related initiatives. You will also assist with event promotion and communications to increase participation and enhance audience engagement. Working closely with Michigan 4-H, the Michigan 4-H Foundation, MSU Extension, and other University communicators, you will collaborate to advance strategic communications goals and ensure consistent messaging across platforms. You will serve as a communications resource for internal and external partners and perform other duties as assigned.
Although negotiable, this position will work on campus in East Lansing, Michigan. This position may be eligible to utilize a flexible work environment, however, there is an expectation to work from the MSU campus. 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
- Composes, reviews, edits, produces, and duplicates audio, visual, video, and/or printed program materials for distribution to target audiences.
- Reviews and/or edits layouts, drafts, and information in order to check for content, readability, and style.
- Monitors social media and engages with external audiences in electronic forums.
- Researches materials, interviews individuals, and collects information in order to compose articles, press releases, promotional pieces, reports, or catalogs in print or electronic media.
- Assists with web page design, maintenance, and content management.
- Monitors various publications and electronic sources of news and commentary for potential relevance to unit activities.
- Forecasts needs and orders supplies in order to maintain inventory levels.
- Represents unit at functions, professional organizations, industry organizations, community and related external events.
- Schedules and arranges meetings and conferences on- and off-campus.
- Oversees designated student employees and/or interns.
Communications Content Development and Storytelling (40%)
- Develop, write, edit and publish strategic communications and marketing content for Michigan 4-H and the Michigan 4-H Foundation, including feature stories, newsletters, impact reports, annual reports, general communications and messaging, fundraising materials, award recognition content and social media.
- Support the development and execution of Michigan 4-H statewide marketing and recruitment efforts and initiatives by creating marketing toolkits, templates and resources for staff.
- Identify, curate and write compelling, impact-focused stories that demonstrate the impact of MSU Extension, Michigan 4-H and the Michigan 4-H Foundation, including youth, donor, alumni, program and staff profiles.
- Develop content and oversee design, production and distribution of print, digital, video, graphic and promotional materials while working with vendors, photographers, designers and other external partners.
- Support 4-H public visibility and outreach by identifying newsworthy stories, developing external-facing content and press materials, monitoring relevant news and trends, and coordinating media opportunities with Extension communications leadership. Support communications for fundraising and donor engagement initiatives, including annual giving campaigns (ex. Giving Tuesday, Give Green Day, CrowdPower), direct mail appeals, donor proposals, stewardship materials, donor recognition programs and campaign-related communications.
- Support messaging and communication strategies to enhance donor cultivation, stewardship and philanthropic engagement.
Digital Communications and Program Support (30%)
- Maintain digital communications platforms and digital content development, including websites, board portals, e-newsletters and social media channels to ensure timely, accurate and engaging content.
- Edit and publish content produced by staff; oversee and execute monthly digital outreach strategies through email marketing platforms and other means.
- Support children and youth educators and program coordinators with communications assistance.
- Support the development of a comprehensive 4-H alumni communications and engagement plan in coordination with the Michigan 4-H Alumni & Friends and Michigan 4-H Alumni Engagement committees.
Events Relations and Organizational Support (30%)
- Support the planning, promotion and implementation of 4-H partner, donor and alumni engagement events, donor recognition activities, alumni programs and related special events. This includes the creation of print and digital materials, as well as event scripts and communications.
- Represent Michigan 4-H and the Michigan 4-H Foundation at meetings, conferences and community events to enhance visibility and partner engagement.
- Support organizational initiatives through partnership development, committee participation and coordination of communications-related projects.
- Collaborate with board members, donors, alumni, staff and community partners to strengthen relationships, provide communications expertise, analyze and report organizational impact data and support strategic communications goals.
Minimum Requirements
- Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in communications, telecommunications, journalism, marketing, or public relations.
- Up to six months of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in internal communications; news, broadcasting, and print media, and/or marketing, advertising, and creative services; graphic design; word processing; desktop publishing; web design; presentation software; spreadsheet and/or database software; public presentation; or radio production; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Proficiency in use of technology (e.g., web research, Zoom, Qualtrics, Microsoft Teams, Work, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook for mail/calendaring, distance technology, etc.) for day-to-day work, record keeping, reporting, team-based communications, and overall management. Familiarity with Microsoft Office and standard communications tools, including experience with design or multimedia tools (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite).
- This position requires or will require, prior to completion of the probationary period: knowledge of basic personal computer terminology and operations, and the ability to use e-mail and the Internet.
Desired Qualifications
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 without daily supervision and/or coaching.
- Ability to serve as an information resource to clientele, partners, and MSU/MSU Extension staff.
- Ability to develop and maintain positive working relationships intra- and inter-organizationally and create and promote positive public relations for MSU Extension, the CYI, Michigan 4-H and the Michigan 4-H Foundation.
- Ability to travel in local and surrounding communities, and occasional long-distance travel are required as a regular part of this position.
- Strong writing, editing, and storytelling skills, including experience with AP Style.
- Transportation is the responsibility of the employee.
- Understanding of and ability to implement Civil Rights principles and compliance standards.
- 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.
Work Hours
STANDARD 8-5
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
Bidding eligibility ends September 8, 2026, 11:55 PM
