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Extension Educator-Fixed

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Work type: Extension, Faculty/Academic Staff

Major Administrative Unit / College:Michigan State University Extension

Department:Extension Health And Nutrition 10058946

Sub Area:FAS- Fac./Acad Staff

Salary:Salary Commensurate with Experience

Location: Kent, Muskegon, Ottawa

Categories: Agriculture, Education/Training, Health Care Professional, Advising/Counseling, Fixed Term Academic Staff, Full Time (90-100%), Non-Union

Working/Functional Title

Food Safety Extension Educator

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 Health and Nutrition Institute (HNI), this position provides local as well as statewide educational programming expertise in food safety. This position will be responsible for local in-person programming across counties in MSU Extension district 5 (Lake, Mason, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana) and district 7 (Allegan, Barry, Kent, Ottawa). Additionally, this position will have statewide responsibilities, and will collaborate across work teams, Institutes, and community groups, working with faculty, specialists, and educators for overall advancement of the needs of the Institute clientele.

Food safety programming encourages Michigan’s residents to use safe food practices to reduce the risk of foodborne illness by teaching foodservice managers, workers, volunteers, childcare providers, and other consumers about safe food practices. In this position, you will identify, design, implement, and evaluate research-based educational programs that meet current and projected outreach needs related to food safety. You will prepare and present both in-person and virtual workshops and trainings in food safety and home food preservation for the public at the state, regional, and national levels. You will educate consumers on proper, research-based home food preservation methods, and help create safer food handling practices at food pantries and farmers markets. Additionally, you will develop, produce, and deliver education that reaches childcare providers to reduce foodborne illnesses in the children they care for, as well as foodservice managers, workers, and volunteers across the state who protect their customers’ health when they sell or handle food products to the public.

Through your expertise, you will create and disseminate educational materials for the public on food safety topics and you will implement food safety educational programs such as Food Preservation, ServSafe, Cottage Food Law, Safe Food = Healthy Kids, Food Pantry Food Safety, Cooking for Crowds, and more. Educational delivery is online (virtual) and in-person. You will also work with team members to answer questions from the public through online platforms, texting, and a statewide telephone hotline, and will respond to questions related to food safety associated with home food preservation and food handling.

Through collaboration in research, engagement with community members, and dissemination of research-based information through various methods, including in-person and multimedia programming and written communications, you will explore and implement programs that lead to public knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors that help youth and adults learn how to reduce their risk of illness when preparing food and to preserve food safely. You will also develop, produce, and deliver educational food safety outreach materials with messaging and content that is accessible and inclusive and is consistent with the Health and Nutrition Institute’s food safety messaging. Your work will include close collaboration with colleagues at MSU and MSU Extension, as well as the diverse network of partner groups.

Although negotiable, there will be space available for this position to work from the Muskegon, Kent, or Ottawa 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, conduct, and evaluate innovative 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 HNI.

• Understand and support the Health and Nutrition Institute’s efforts in diversity, equity, inclusion, and Civil Rights, 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.

• Communicate and interact with community groups to evaluate the needs of the clientele.

• 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.

• Serve as an information resource to clientele, partners, and Extension staff.

• Develop and utilize appropriate media methods to communicate 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 HNI and work teams.

• Actively participate in professional development opportunities.

• Author, produce, and submit regular research-based educational materials and articles.

• Other duties or projects as assigned by the Institute Director.

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 Science, Food Safety, Education

Minimum Requirements

• Master’s degree from an accredited institution in food science, food safety, education, 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.

• Demonstrated skills and professional development from the last five years related to cultural competency and inclusive excellence.

• 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, 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.

• 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.

• Ability to create and carry out a project plan from research of initial concept to project completion and follow-up.

• Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.

• Proficiency in use of technology (e.g., Qualtrics, web research, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook for mail/calendaring, distance technology, etc.) for day-to-day work and educational program delivery, record keeping, reporting, team-based communications, and overall management.

• Experience with marketing/promotion of educational programs.

• Ability to travel in local and surrounding communities and occasional long-distance travel are required as a regular part of this position.

• Ability to lift and carry educational materials, equipment, etc. up to 25 lbs.

• 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).

• Demonstrated drive and initiative, with proven ability to manage multiple responsibilities and tasks simultaneously.

• Experience in successful contract and grant writing, including securing and managing grant funds and resources.

• Familiarity with the Michigan Food Code and food science practices.

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.

Advertised: May 6, 2024 Eastern Daylight Time