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Working/Functional Title

Consumer Horticulture Educator

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 Agriculture and Agribusiness Institute (AABI), this position provides local as well as statewide leadership and educational programming expertise in alignment of home and community gardeners and will lead the local Extension Master Gardener Program in Southwest Michigan. In addition, this position will provide general oversight to the on-going development of a community garden space known as the Veterans Therapy Garden in Paw Paw, Michigan. 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.

In this position, you will identify, design, implement, and evaluate research-based educational programs that meet current and projected outreach needs related to the Consumer Horticulture program. Through your leadership, you will develop and deliver science-based information for home and community gardeners and support the local Extension Master Gardener volunteers and supervise a part-time extension master gardener program coordinator. You will work with lawn and garden hotline volunteers to address home gardening questions from across the state and will serve as an information resource for lawn and garden questions. You will develop entrepreneurial programs to help support the local consumer horticulture program. You will also plan, organize, and carry out educational programs held at the garden in partnership with the local veterans’ service office and other community partners and provide supervision for Veterans Garden Extension workers.

You will be expected to be an effective communicator and ensure dissemination of research- based information through various methods, including multi-media, distance education technologies, social media, written articles, and in-person meetings, and will provide clientele knowledge to grow their gardens, shrubs, trees, etc., while minimizing environmental impact. Additionally, you will serve as an informational resource for MSU personnel and clientele.

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

healthy foods and landscapes while protecting the environment. You will also develop, produce, and deliver Consumer Horticulture materials with messaging and content that is accessible and inclusive and is consistent with the Agriculture and Agribusiness Institute messaging.

Your work will include close collaboration with the existing core of Consumer Horticulture educators and Specialists and campus-based faculty to provide education and service to Michigan’s home and community gardeners. Your work will include close collaboration with colleagues at MSU and MSU Extension, as well as the diverse network of partner groups that include Extension Master Gardener volunteers and community groups. Acting as a statewide point of contact, you will provide support for AABI in determining research and programmatic needs across the state and will communicate and interact with community groups to evaluate the needs of the clientele.

Although negotiable, there will be space available for this position to work from the Van Buren County MSU Extension office, Hartford, MI.

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, related to best management practices for landscape and garden management, 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 AABI.

+ Understand and support the Agriculture and Agribusiness 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 AABI 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 -horticulture, ornamental horticulture, landscape management

Minimum Requirements

+ Master’s degree from an accredited institution in a field of study related to horticulture, ornamental horticulture, landscape management, or related field must be earned by date of hire.

+ Familiarity with adult volunteers.

+ 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 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.

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

+ 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 in an office environment without daily supervision and/or coaching.

+ Proficiency in use of technology (e.g., web research, Zoom, Qualtrics, 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.

+ 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.

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

+ Experience with marketing/promotion of educational programs.

+ 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.

Desired Qualifications

+ 3-years’ 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.

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: Commensurate with education and experience.

Please note this is a union position represented by AFT Michigan. The university is working with the union to establish a collective bargaining agreement.

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.