Extension Educator-Fixed

MSU Careers Details•Saint Joseph, MI

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Michigan State University Extension (MSUE) is seeking a District 13 Director to join its Administrative Team. This role supports seven counties (Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, and Van Buren) by developing and coordinating relationships with local community partners, overseeing and mentoring Extension educators and support staff, and securing resources through entrepreneurial efforts. The District Director will collaborate with colleagues across MSUE, lead recruitment and hiring efforts within the district, and partner with MSUE Institute Directors for staff development and personnel matters. This position operates within a unionized setting, requiring interpretation and application of labor relations practices and collective bargaining agreements. The Director will represent MSUE to county boards of commissioners and community organizations, promoting the mission and impact of the organization. The district encompasses a diverse mix of urban and rural communities with varied programmatic needs, driven by manufacturing, agriculture, higher education, and tourism. While negotiable, the primary office location is the Van Buren County MSU Extension office, with flexibility for remote work contingent on operational needs. This is a fixed-term academic appointment, initially for one year, with potential for extensions based on performance.

Requirements

Master’s degree from an accredited institution must be earned by date of hire.
Outstanding oral and written communication skills, including the ability to listen effectively.
Demonstrated experience in building relationships with community partners, resource development, and budget management.
Effective and demonstrated interpersonal skills, including the ability to work with community and political leaders, as well as campus-based administrators, faculty, and staff.
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.
Supervisory experience.
Ability to carry out all functions of staff management in a hybrid work environment.
Ability to create and carry out a project plan from research of initial concept to project completion and follow-up.
Ability to work effectively in a unionized environment, including interpreting and applying collective bargaining agreements.
Experience and proven ability working productively with a team serving in both leadership and contributor roles.
Self-motivated with the demonstrated ability to work independently without daily supervision and/or coaching.
Participation in stakeholder meetings, including occasional meetings that fall outside of traditional working hours.
Proficiency in use of technology (e.g., web research, Qualtrics, 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.
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, disabilities, and other differences.
Ability to lift and carry educational materials, equipment, etc. up to 25 lbs.
Ability to travel in local and surrounding communities and long-distance travel are required as a regular part of this position; if eligible, access to a MSU-owned vehicle will be provided.
Experience with marketing/promotion of educational programs.
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.
Other skills and/or physical abilities required to perform duties of the position.

Nice To Haves

Minimum of 3-years of Extension system experience, including administrative responsibilities (extensive experience in similar high-level administrative role, including resource development and procurement, staff supervision and collaborative leadership may be considered in lieu of Extension system experience).
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.

Responsibilities

Develop, maintain, and coordinate relationships between MSU Extension and local partners including county commissioners, administrators, leaders, industry, human service agencies, agribusiness, youth-serving agencies, and state and federal government representatives.
Encourage and support staff in developing requests for special funding, contracts, and grants, and in developing proposals that enhance Extension’s mission and programs.
Develop and maintain positive working relationships intra- and inter-organizationally and create and promote positive public relations for MSU Extension.
Understand and support MSU Extension’s efforts in diversity, equity, inclusion, and Civil Rights, with a special emphasis on removing barriers from participation and reaching diverse populations.
Conduct monthly engagement meetings with staff at each county office.
Work in partnership as a shared leader with the appropriate MSUE Institute Director regarding programming and personnel matters, including the hiring process, recruitment, and performance reviews.
Act as a resource to project team leaders and MSUE Institute Directors on programmatic issues; serve as an information resource to direct reports, staff within the district, and partners.
Contribute to program planning, implementation, and evaluation.
Provide guidance and support to staff in the implementation and compliance of MSU policies and procedures.
Prepare and submit cohesive reports as required for internal and external purposes.
Work with all offices and staff in the district to assure compliance for Civil Rights, Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action, and the American with Disabilities Act.
Actively engage in areas of philanthropy working in coordination with the MSU Extension Director’s office and engaging the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources development, when appropriate.
Actively participate in professional development opportunities.
Ensure compliance with union contracts and institutional policies while supporting day-to-day operations.
Other duties or projects as assigned by the Associate Director for Field Operations.