Extension Educator

Extension Educator-Fixed

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 environmental issues related to livestock production, including but not limited to manure and nutrient management. This position will have statewide responsibilities and will collaborate across work teams, Institutes, and community groups, working with faculty, specialists, educators, commodity groups, and state agencies for overall advancement of the needs of the Institute clientele.

Michigan ranks 6th in milk and 12th in swine production, along with substantial, poultry, beef, and small ruminant populations. In this position, you will identify, design, implement, and evaluate research-based educational programs that meet current and projected outreach needs regarding environmental issues related to livestock production, including but not limited to manure and nutrient management. Through your leadership, the scope of your program can include but not limited to conducting on-farm site and environmental assessments that assist farmers and agri-businesses in the implementation of practices that reduce the environmental impact of land-applied nutrients from livestock farms, facilitate implementation of practices and behaviors that improve regulatory compliance, and provide education and guidance on nutrient management and emergency plans, siting livestock facilities, manure hauling and storage, manure treatment technologies, composting, along with odor mitigation strategies, ultimately improving water and air quality in an economically sustainable manner.

You will be expected to be an effective communicator with teaching methods ranging from traditional in-person meetings, one-on-one or small groups, to using different forms of synchronous and asynchronous distance learning technologies. You will be expected to develop a broad array of educational materials to include but not be limited to traditional news articles and bulletins, videos, infographics, etc. to meet the broad needs of clientele.

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 provide farmers and agri-business professionals with the knowledge to implement best management practices that reduce risk, improve production efficiency, have beneficial environmental outcomes, contribute to the short and long-term viability of farms, and serve as an informational resource for Extension personnel and clientele.

You will also develop, produce, and deliver environmental management outreach materials with messaging and content that is accessible and is consistent with the Agriculture and Agribusiness Institute messaging.

Your work will include close collaboration with colleagues at MSU and MSU Extension, as well as the network of partner groups that include various state governmental agencies, and commodity organizations. Acting as a statewide point of contact, you will provide support for MSUE in determining programmatic needs and will communicate and interact with commodity groups to evaluate the needs of clientele.

Although negotiable, there will be space available for this position to work from the Ionia County MSU Extension office.

This position 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.

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

Characteristic Duties/

Responsibilities include:

• Identify, develop, conduct, and evaluate innovative educational programs that meet current and projected statewide needs, and supports growth and understanding of critical issues facing the animal industries in 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 Agriculture and Agribusiness Institute's efforts in culture, access, belonging, and Civil Rights, with a special emphasis on removing barriers from participation and reaching all populations.
• 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…