Job Details

Working/Functional Title

Ag and Agribusiness Inst Assoc Director

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 Agriculture and Agribusiness Institute (AABI), this position provides statewide leadership and support of agriculture and agribusiness Extension programs, serves on the MSUE Leadership Team, and leads institute priorities to improve the success of the institute’s Extension educational programs within Michigan.

Michigan is the second-most agriculturally diverse state within the United States. In this position you will work with Extension Educators and Specialists along with campus faculty to ascertain the emergent needs of agricultural and related communities. You will also work with AABI staff to address those needs through cutting edge program delivery using a broad array of communication technology that matches the capacity of stakeholders to access information. Furthermore, you will work with staff to ascertain impact of programmatic efforts and will support their continued efforts to improve access of AABI resources to the broad demographic that constitutes Michigan agriculture.

In collaboration with the AABI Director, you will provide support for AABI staff and program management, such as new AABI staff hiring and mentoring, AABI work team support, identification of AABI needs and trends, internal and external communications, and partnership building with both internal and external partners. Work will be done in collaboration with MSUE District Directors, MSUE work teams, MSU faculty, external partners, and the AABI Institute Director.

The position will be based on the Michigan State University campus in East Lansing, MI. Consideration will be given for the successful candidate to periodically work at an alternative location, within Michigan.

This position is a full-time, fixed term end-dated appointment, renewable annually based upon successful performance and continued funding.

Additional consideration will be given to applicants that possess significant academic credentials (e.g., continuing, tenure), and processes will be reviewed to determine eligibility for transference to Michigan State University.

Characteristic Duties/Responsibilities

• Assist with statewide needs and trends assessment for agriculture and agribusiness related programming and applied research.
• Support AABI work team functions, including leadership development, and multi-level and multi-disciplinary program planning, implementation, and evaluation.
• Assist with new AABI staff hiring and provide leadership for new AABI staff mentoring and development.
• Provide leadership for identifying and implementing AABI specific professional development needs and opportunities, including AABI staff assistance with Step II and Step III submissions.
• Provide leadership with AABI staff management and support, including review of programming and information dissemination through in-person discussions, review and feedback of program reporting, and evaluation.
• 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.
• Author/co-author, produce communications, reports and materials related to AABI programmatic efforts, as needed to meet the needs of internal and external partners to further highlight the success of AABI and MSUE.
• 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.
• Collaborate with the AABI Director, work team members, and evaluation specialists to assist in writing AABI work team annual action plans and year-end reports of institute activities.
• Provide administrative guidance and support to Institute staff/teams in securing extramural support, program funds support and establishing partnerships that leverage public, private and not-for-profit funds in ways consistent with MSU Extension policies, and which foster effective and expanded programming.
• Oversee coordination for the development of educational materials with the appropriate College of Agriculture and Natural Resource units related to AABI programs.
• Work with MSUE District Directors to address issues/concerns related to programming efforts.
• Serve as liaison with other institutes to enhance the design and delivery of educational programs, strengthen program quality, and connectivity of work group efforts.
• Serve on the AABI Leadership and MSUE Administrative Teams.
• Interact with diverse sets of stakeholders inside and outside of the university.
• Represent the MSUE AABI at county, state, and national venues, including service on relevant committees and attendance at related conferences/events.
• Actively participate in professional development opportunities.
• 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 -Agriculture related field, or closely re

Desired Degree

Doctorate -Agriculture related field, or closely re

Minimum Requirements

• Master’s degree from an accredited institution in an agriculture related discipline or closely related field must be earned by date of hire.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in Extension or similar organization with an emphasis on agriculture or agribusiness related programming.
• Familiarity with Program Logic Models as a planning and reporting tool.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience providing supervision.
• Demonstrated leadership and management abilities.
• Experience working with academic faculty and partners to disseminate educational programs.
• Ability to accept and delegate responsibility.
• Demonstrated drive, initiative, and ability to work with simultaneous, multiple tasks.
• 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.
• Ability to create and carry-out a project plan from development of initial concept to project completion and follow-up/impact assessment.
• Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively to public and lay audiences.
• Experience and proven ability working productively with a team serving in both leadership and contributor roles and develop multi-disciplinary collaborations.  
• Self-motivated with demonstrated ability to work independently in an office environment without daily supervision and/or coaching.
• Ability to develop and maintain positive working relationships intra- and inter-organizationally.
• Experience successfully acquiring and managing grant funding and resources.
• Proficiency in use of technology (e.g., web research, Zoom, Microsoft Word, Teams, 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.
• Understanding of and ability to implement Civil Rights principles and compliance standards.
• Record of success in an agriculture-related field at the local, state, state and/or international level in program development, management, 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.
• Demonstrated skills and professional development from the last five years related to cultural competency and inclusive excellence.
• Proficiency in use of technology (e.g., web research, Microsoft Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook for mail/calendaring, distance delivery/communication 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 lift and carry educational materials, equipment, etc. up to 25 lbs.
• Ability to travel within the state and occasional long-distance travel, and a valid driver’s license is required (monthly reimbursement provided).
• Transportation is the responsibility of the employee.
• Other skills and/or physical abilities required to perform duties of the position.

Desired Qualifications

• Ph.D. in an agriculture discipline or closely related field.
• Ten (10) years of experience in Extension or similar organization with an emphasis on agriculture or agribusiness related programming.

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

This position is a full-time, fixed term end-dated appointment, renewable annually based upon successful performance and continued funding.

Additional consideration will be given to applicants that possess significant academic credentials (e.g., continuing, tenure), and processes will be reviewed to determine eligibility for transference to Michigan State University.

Website

https://youtu.be/8KBMarSqHos

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.