Job Details

Working/Functional Title

Compost Systems Educator

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 local as well as statewide leadership and educational programming expertise in Compost Systems.  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 agricultural, commercial, and municipal compost systems. Through your leadership, you will act as a subject matter expert related to composting and other organics processing technologies, regulatory development and compliance, environmental impacts, feedstock diversity, processing methods and technologies, and end-product marketing. In coordination of outreach and Extension-related compost education activities, you will collaborate with academic and service units on the campus of Michigan State University regarding education and training related to compost systems. You will be responsible for development and delivery of training of compost system operations, best management practices, and standards required by state and federal programs.

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 composting systems methodology across a broad range of clientele. You will also develop, produce, and deliver composting systems outreach materials with messaging and content that is accessible and inclusive and is consistent with the Agriculture and Agribusiness Institute and Michigan State University messaging.

Your work will include close collaboration with colleagues at MSU and MSU Extension, as well as the diverse network of partner groups that include state and local governmental agencies, and community and state organizations working to improve composting systems. You will collaborate with both campus- and field-based colleagues doing work related to composting systems to update current educational materials, develop new educational curriculum, and participate within the MSU campus Master Plan related to composting.

Through your efforts you will develop relationships with external partners to expand the resource base and support programmatic operations. 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.

This position will be based on the Michigan State University campus located in East Lansing, Michigan.

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, and supports growth and understanding of critical issues facing residents of 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 AABI’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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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 -Agronomy, Animal Science, Biosystems or

Minimum Requirements

• Master’s degree from an accredited institution in a field of study related to Agronomy, Animal Science, Biosystems or Agricultural Engineering, Crop and Soil Science or a related field of study, must be earned by date of hire.
• Familiarity with professional or academic organic processing technologies.
• Familiarity with regulatory compliance for composting systems.
• 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.
• Ability to create and carryout a project plan from research of initial concept to project completion and follow-up.
• 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.
• 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.
• Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
• 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 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 of experience in Extension program delivery or demonstrated ability and skill in equivalent experience related to compost operations, educational program planning, implementation, and evaluation (relevant experience acquired within the last 5-years preferred).
• Familiarity with Michigan State University campus operations.
• 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.
• Experience working with state, federal and/or community-based organizations and groups.
• Experience establishing collaborations and community-based initiatives.
• 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.

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.

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.