Job Details

Working/Functional Title

Health/Mental Health First Aid Educators

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), there are three Extension Educator positions available.

Two Health Extension Educators will provide local as well as statewide leadership and expertise in health educational programs focused on teaching mindfulness, stress reduction, alternatives to anger, chronic pain self-management, substance misuse prevention, healthy aging, and/or living well with diabetes. These positions focus on delivering health educational programs to community-based adult audiences.

While the Mental Health First Aid Extension Educator (one position available) provides local as well as statewide leadership and expertise in health educational programs focused on teaching mental health first aid, mindfulness, stress reduction, and alternatives to anger. This position focuses on delivering other mental health educational programs (series or one-time presentations) to community-based adult audiences.

All positions 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.

Health Extension Educator (2 positions available)

Through the health Extension educator position, you will identify, design, implement and evaluate research-based educational programs that meet current and projected outreach needs related to health and well-being to be responsive to mental health, physical health, and behavioral health needs of community members. Through your leadership, you will plan and implement community-based health programs for diabetes self-care (e.g., Dining with Diabetes), stress reduction/ mindfulness (e.g., Stress Less with Mindfulness, RELAX, Mindfulness X), and chronic pain management and opioid misuse prevention (i.e., self-management courses and webinars or other one-time presentations). Programming is delivered in-person and online virtually. You will be responsible for creating a steady, on-going calendar of programs that meet community needs year-round and that rotate to produce a variety of offerings. Programs are taught alone and with other trained co-facilitators and delivered in coordination with community partners.

Through collaboration in grant-funded efforts, 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 contribute to healthier lifestyles for individuals and toward healthy equity for all. You will also develop, produce, and deliver health education that contributes to system changes, policies, and environmental changes of communities and institutions. You will use evidence-based and research-based sources for health education outreach materials with messaging and content that is accessible and inclusive and is consistent with the Health and Nutrition Institute.

Your work will include close collaboration with colleagues at MSU and MSU Extension, as well as the diverse network of partner groups including county or regional human service collaboratives, healthcare systems and primary care or family medicine clinics, county government departments, local area agencies on aging, and prevention coalitions and community human service groups. You will collaborate with the HNI Health Team and be part of grant-funded efforts of the institute. This position has potential to partner with faculty researchers and be a liaison in the community for local needs assessment, study recruitment, interventions, and research finding dissemination activities. Acting as a statewide point of contact, you will provide support for local programming in the Extension administrative district associated with the base county the position is located and will be expected to deliver programs in multiple counties.

Mental Health First Aid Extension Educator (1 position available)

Through the mental health first aid Extension educator position, you will identify, design, implement and evaluate research-based educational programs that meet current and projected outreach needs related to health and well-being to be responsive to mental health needs of community members. Acting as the HNI Program Lead for the adult Mental Health First Aid program, you will have statewide coordination responsibilities among a team of trained instructors. You will work with the National Council for Mental Wellbeing to schedule and conduct Mental Health First Aid programs online, in-person, and in blended/hybrid formats. This includes using a learning platform, instructor portal, and registration system requiring skill in online systems.

Through your leadership, you will plan and implement community-based health programs for Mental Health First Aid, mindfulness and anger management programs and presentations. Programming is delivered in-person and online virtually, and you will be responsible for creating a steady, on-going calendar of adult Mental Health First Aid programs that meet community needs year-round and that rotate to produce a variety of offerings. Programs are taught alone and with other trained co-facilitators and delivered in coordination with community partners and organizations.

Through collaboration in grant-funded efforts, 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 contribute to healthier lifestyles for individuals and toward health equity for all. You will also develop, produce, and deliver mental health education that provides certificates to participants and partners. You will use evidence-based and research-based sources for other mental health outreach materials with messaging and content that is accessible and inclusive and is consistent with the Health and Nutrition Institute.

Your work will include close collaboration with colleagues at MSU and MSU Extension, as well as the diverse network of partner groups including county or regional human service collaboratives, for-profit businesses, non-profit organizations, county government departments, local area agencies on aging, and prevention coalitions and community human service groups. You will collaborate with the HNI Health Team and may be part of grant-funded efforts of the institute or engage in program revenue generation through the collection of program fees. This position has potential to partner with faculty researchers and community partners for research and program implementation, including worksite settings and campus-based training for MSU. Acting as a statewide point of contact, you will provide support for local programming in the Extension administrative district associated with the base county the position is located and will be expected to deliver programs in multiple counties.

Although negotiable, there will be space available for these positions to work from the following MSU Extension County offices: Antrim, Branch, Iosco, Kent, Leelanau, Mason, Midland, Muskegon, Newaygo, Ogemaw, Saginaw, Shiawassee, St Joseph, or Washtenaw.

Candidates can indicate their preference for position and location within their cover letter.

Each 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 to and participation of minoritized or otherwise underserved adult audiences.

• 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.
• On occasion, have a willingness to work during weekends, or evenings, or at times that work for community member and partner schedules.
• 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 -Mental Health, Public Health, Human Deve

Minimum Requirements

• Master’s degree from an accredited institution in a field of study related to mental health, public health, human development, family studies, social work, psychology, sociology, gerontology, community health services, or related field must be earned by date of hire.
• Familiarity with community behavioral health strategies, public health interventions, translational or implementation science, and/or theories of lifestyle change.
• 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 carryout a project plan from research of initial concept 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, 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 lift and carry educational materials, equipment, etc. up to 25 lbs.
• Ability to travel in local and surrounding communities, and occasional long-distance travel are required as a regular part of this position.
• Transportation is the responsibility of the employee.
• Other skills and/or physical abilities required to perform duties of the position.

Desired Qualifications

• 3-years’ experience in health education 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.

Together-we-will Statement

Special Instructions