Specialist - Outreach-Continuing

Outreach-Continuing•East Lansing, MI

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Department of Animal Science at Michigan State University (MSU) invites applications for a full‐time, 12‐month, Specialist - Outreach (continuing system) with an appointment of 45% Extension, 30% research, 20% teaching, and 5% service. Extension and applied research efforts are expected to result in peer‑reviewed and industry‑relevant outputs, competitive extramural funding, and documented stakeholder impact consistent with Academic Specialist continuing‑system expectations. The position has an anticipated start date of January 1, 2027. The successful candidate will develop an integrated Extension and applied research program to serve stakeholders within the Michigan sheep and goat industries. The candidate will also lead teaching efforts in small ruminant science in support of undergraduate programs within the Department of Animal Science. The successful candidate will work with the Michigan sheep and goat industries and MSU colleagues, across colleges, and Extension work teams to identify stakeholder needs; conduct applied research that addresses those needs; and develop education and decision-support programs that translate research into practice. The candidate will have the autonomy to develop an integrated Extension and applied research focus that may include nutrition, animal health and welfare, physiology, product quality, environmental impacts, or economics. Programming will serve both large- and small-scale sheep and goat producers and allied industries. The candidate will be expected to secure extramural funding and will have the opportunity to mentor undergraduate workers and graduate students, and collaborate with MSU faculty and Extension educators to deliver programs with clear outcomes and impact evaluation. The individual will provide leadership for statewide Extension efforts, working with Extension educators and work teams, campus specialists, the Michigan Sheep Producers Association (MSPA), and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) to address emerging issues facing Michigan’s small ruminant industries. Additionally, the candidate will be required to attend MSU Fall Extension Conference and the affiliated MSU Extension Institute Conference. Further, the candidate will be required to work with MSU Extension Educators to utilize PEARS, the Program Evaluation and Reporting System, to report on work and make plans. The successful candidate is expected to remain current on sheep and goat production research, through an ongoing professional development plan, and to facilitate, conduct, and participate in applied research on issues important to the small ruminant industry and deliver those results and relevant findings from MSU and partner institutions through the individual’s Extension program. The teaching assignment includes an annual undergraduate 200-level introductory sheep management course, and a 400-level advanced small ruminant management course taught every other year, with additional opportunities for guest lecturing. The candidate will be supported in developing hands-on, experiential learning components using MSU and commercial facilities. The successful candidate must possess effective communication skills in their interactions with students and stakeholders, including those students from diverse backgrounds. The candidate is expected to develop innovative instructional approaches to classroom teaching and outreach. This should include Extension teaching methods ranging from traditional in-person meetings, held one-on-one or in groups, to using different forms of synchronous and asynchronous distance learning technologies. The candidate will be expected to develop a broad array of Extension educational materials that may include traditional news articles and bulletins, videos, and infographics, etc., to meet the broad needs of clientele.

Requirements

Masters degree in Animal Science or a closely related field with training and experience in sheep and/or goat production systems.
Demonstrated ability to conduct applied research.
Demonstrated ability to communicate with producer and student audiences.
Demonstrated ability to teach effectively using modern teaching tools.
Demonstrated ability to collaborate with colleagues and stakeholders.
Letter of interest that includes qualifications for the position and statement of extension programming, applied research and teaching philosophy highlighting how your experiences align with the position (2‐page maximum).
Current curriculum vitae.
Contact information for three professional references.

Nice To Haves

Doctorate in Animal Science or a closely related field.
Demonstrated record in Extension programming and teaching in small ruminant production systems.

Responsibilities

Develop an integrated Extension and applied research program to serve stakeholders within the Michigan sheep and goat industries.
Lead teaching efforts in small ruminant science in support of undergraduate programs within the Department of Animal Science.
Work with the Michigan sheep and goat industries and MSU colleagues, across colleges, and Extension work teams to identify stakeholder needs.
Conduct applied research that addresses stakeholder needs.
Develop education and decision-support programs that translate research into practice.
Secure extramural funding.
Mentor undergraduate workers and graduate students.
Collaborate with MSU faculty and Extension educators to deliver programs with clear outcomes and impact evaluation.
Provide leadership for statewide Extension efforts, working with Extension educators and work teams, campus specialists, the Michigan Sheep Producers Association (MSPA), and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) to address emerging issues facing Michigan’s small ruminant industries.
Attend MSU Fall Extension Conference and the affiliated MSU Extension Institute Conference.
Work with MSU Extension Educators to utilize PEARS, the Program Evaluation and Reporting System, to report on work and make plans.
Remain current on sheep and goat production research, through an ongoing professional development plan.
Facilitate, conduct, and participate in applied research on issues important to the small ruminant industry.
Deliver research results and relevant findings from MSU and partner institutions through the individual’s Extension program.
Teach an annual undergraduate 200-level introductory sheep management course.
Teach a 400-level advanced small ruminant management course every other year.
Develop hands-on, experiential learning components using MSU and commercial facilities.
Possess effective communication skills in their interactions with students and stakeholders, including those students from diverse backgrounds.
Develop innovative instructional approaches to classroom teaching and outreach.
Develop a broad array of Extension educational materials that may include traditional news articles and bulletins, videos, and infographics, etc., to meet the broad needs of clientele.