Michigan State U Extension: Extension Specialist-Fixed

Position Title: 

Position Summary

MSU Extension (MSUE), the outreach arm of Michigan State University is a large and complex unit that includes four institutes with more than 700 employees in 83 counties spread across the upper and lower peninsula of Michigan. As a key member of MSU Extension, this role offers statewide leadership and specialized knowledge in evaluating the efficacy and effectiveness of Extension programs and initiatives. This is achieved through consultation, fostering capacity development, and active involvement in understanding organizational learning outcomes and impact. This position will have statewide responsibilities and will collaborate across Institutes, work teams, faculty, specialists, and educators for overall advancement of organizational impact.

In this role, you will collaborate and consult with MSU Extension staff and programmatic work teams to establish evaluation objectives, ensuring programs are evidence-based and responsive to community needs. You will assist in the development and implementation of comprehensive evaluation plans and methodologies to gauge program impact in alignment with program goals, grant requirements, and reporting deadlines. Your analysis of evaluation findings will inform decision-making, identify best practices and areas for enhancement to ensure Extension programs effectively serve the intended audiences.

Your responsibilities include assisting with designing, implementing, and managing evaluation strategies (e.g., needs assessments, logic models) to measure program outcomes and ensure that Extension programs and initiatives are meeting their intended goals and objectives. You will assist in identifying appropriate data collection methodologies including surveys, interviews, focus groups, observations, and other research methods. You will also assist in analyzing data from multiple methods (i.e., qualitative, and quantitative data) to assess program impact and identify areas for improvement.

Your leadership will be crucial in bolstering MSU Extension's evaluation capacity. You will train Extension staff in evaluation methodologies, data collection techniques, and provide technical assistance and guidance on evaluation-related matters such as the development of funding proposals and annual work plans.

Additionally, you will identify and monitor shared performance indicators across the organization, aligning with funding requirements, MSU Extension's strategic initiatives, and MSU's Strategic Plan. You will communicate the value of MSU Extension programs effectively through clear and actionable evaluation reports presented to MSU Extension leadership and other relevant individuals and groups.

Although negotiable, there will be space available for this position to work from the MSU Extension campus office located in East Lansing, Michigan.

This position may be eligible to utilize a flexible work environment, however, there is an expectation to work from a MSU Extension campus 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.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Consult, collaborate and conduct program evaluations for various 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.
• Understand and support MSU Extension’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.
• 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.
• Actively participate in professional development opportunities.
• Author, produce, and submit regular research-based educational materials, reports, and articles.
• Other duties or projects as assigned by the MSU Extension Director and Associate Director(s).

Minimum Requirements

• Master’s degree from an accredited institution in a field of study related to evaluation, human sciences, agriculture, economics, behavioral and social sciences, public policy, or related field must be earned by date of hire.
• Familiarity with conducting program evaluation using various social science research methods, including qualitative and quantitative analysis.
• Demonstrated ability and skill in educational program planning, implementation, and evaluation.
• Strong leadership skills, including coaching, team building, resource management, and partnership development.
• 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 evaluation of 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 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, data analysis software, 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.
• 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:

• Ph.D. degree from an accredited institution in a field of study related to evaluation, human sciences, agriculture, economics, behavioral and social sciences, public policy, or related field must be earned by date of hire.
• 3-years’ experience in Extension program evaluation or demonstrated ability and skill in educational program planning, implementation, and evaluation (relevant experience acquired within the last 5-years, preferred).
• Demonstrated skills in coaching and implementing high-quality staff trainings.
• Demonstrated drive and initiative, with proven ability to manage multiple responsibilities and tasks simultaneously.

required DEGREE:

Masters -Evaluation, Human Sciences, Agriculture

REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS:

Current resume/CV.

Cover letter.

Four (4) professional references including two (2) current or previous supervisors.