Working/Functional Title
Ag Water Use Efficiency Irrigation Educ
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
MSU Extension is searching for qualified individuals to fill two Agriculture Water Use Efficiency & Irrigation Educator positions. One position will be located in West Michigan in Mason County. The other position will be located in Southern Michigan in Branch County.
As part of MSU Extension (MSUE) and the Agriculture and Agribusiness Institute (AABI), these positions will provide local as well as statewide leadership and educational programming expertise in water efficiency and conservation practices. These 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.
In these positions, you will identify, design, implement, and evaluate research-based educational programs that meet current and projected outreach needs related to sustainable irrigation and other water use practices. Through your leadership, you will act as a subject matter expert and work collaboratively with work team members, MSU service units, allied industry, and farmers, to design, implement, deliver, and evaluate educational programming to meet high priority needs of clientele. Your focus will be to emphasize best management practices to improve water use conservation and efficiency. You will lead programmatic efforts to help farmers improve water and energy use efficiency in their production system through education programs, resource development, and individual consultation. You will work with farmers and conservation partners to reduce water use while maintaining profitable and viable production systems.
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 public knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors that improve the efficiency and sustainability of water use on farms. You will also develop, produce, and deliver water use conservation and efficiency outreach materials with messaging and content that is accessible and inclusive and is consistent with Agriculture and Agribusiness Institute messaging.
Your work will include close collaboration with colleagues at MSU, MSU Extension, state governmental agencies, such as the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, as well as the diverse network of partner groups that include USDA, state agencies, conservation partners and allied industry clientele.
Candidates can indicate their preference for location within their cover letter.
These positions are full-time, fixed term end-dated appointments, renewable annually based upon successful performance and continued funding.
These positions 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.
West Michigan Agriculture Water Use Efficiency/Irrigation Educator
The focus of this position will be to emphasize best management practices to improve water use conservation and efficiency in irrigation systems for specialty crop production.
Acting as a statewide point of contact, you will provide support for efficient use of irrigation and other water use systems in sustainable production of agricultural products.
Although negotiable, there will be space available for this position to work from the Mason County MSU Extension office located in Scottville, Michigan.
Southern Michigan Agriculture Water Use Efficiency/Irrigation Educator
The focus of this position will be to emphasize best management practices to improve water use conservation and efficiency in irrigation systems for annual field crop production and provide education regarding large volume water withdrawal for persons operating animal agricultural facilities.
Acting as a statewide point of contact, you will provide support for efficient use of water in annual crop and livestock production systems for the sustainable production of agricultural products.
Although negotiable, there will be space available for this position to work from the Branch County MSU Extension office located in Coldwater, Michigan.
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 Michigan farmers.
- 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.
- Communicate and interact with community groups to evaluate the needs of the clientele.
- In concert with the MSU Extension work tea
