MSU Water Use Efficiency Extension 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

MSU Extension is searching for educators to fill two Water Use Efficiency 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 Water Use Efficiency 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 Water Use Efficiency 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 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, 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, agriculture engineering, anima

Minimum Requirements

• Master’s degree from an accredited institution in a field of study related to agronomy, agriculture engineering, animal science, biosystems, hydrology, or related field must be earned by date of hire.
• Familiarity with specialty crop production systems and drip/micro sprinkler/sprinkler irrigation systems, or familiarity with commercial field crop irrigation systems and large volume water withdrawal for cropping and animal agriculture 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.
• 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 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, 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.
  • Other skills and/or physical abilities required to perform duties of the position.

  Desired Qualifications

  • 3-years’ experience in Extension program delivery or demonstrated ability and skill in educational program planning, implementation, and evaluation (relevant experience acquired within the last 5-years, preferred).
  • Experience in water management (irrigation system design, irrigation scheduling, sensor technology) for specialty crop production.
  • 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.

   

  Special Instructions

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

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

  Starting salary $55,000/year, commensurate with education and experience.

  For full job description and to apply please visit here. 

   

  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.

  Advertised: Jul 17, 2023 Eastern Daylight Time
  Applications close: Aug 21, 2023 Eastern Daylight Time