Extension Educator-Fixed

About the role

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.

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 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, 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.
• 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.
• Author, produce, and submit regular research-based educational materials and articles.
• Develop a working knowledge of nutrient and emergency management plans.
• Knowledge of manure hauling, storage, and handling technologies.
• Knowledge of composting.
• Develop a working knowledge of the Michigan Generally Accepted Agricultural Management System Practices (GAAMPs) related to agricultural animal production.
• Conduct on-farm site and environmental assessments.
• Facilitate practices and behaviors that improve regulatory compliance.
• 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, and ultimately improving water and air quality in an economically sustainable manner.
• Provide effective communication 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.
• 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.

Qualifications

• Masters -Animal Science, Agronomy, Agriculture Engineering
• Familiarity with manure and nutrient management systems, engineering, and/or nutrient utilization.
• Demonstrated ability and skill in educational program planning, implementation, and evaluation.
• Demonstrated success in program development and delivery to audiences/communities representative of the communities we serve, and proven ability in establishing and working with a 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.
• 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.
• Understanding of and ability to implement Civil Rights principles and compliance standards.