Extension Educator-Fixed

Michigan State University; Hillsdale (MI); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Michigan State University Extension seeks a Consumer Horticulture Educator to lead home and community gardener programming across Livingston, Washtenaw and surrounding counties. This role collaborates with faculty, specialists, and volunteers to advance horticulture education and outreach.

The position emphasizes developing research-based materials, delivering education via multiple channels, and helping grow entrepreneurial consumer horticulture programs with strong community partnerships.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in horticulture or related field is required by hire date.
• Proven ability to plan, implement, and evaluate educational programs.
• Experience engaging diverse audiences and volunteers.

Responsibilities

• Identify, design, implement, and evaluate research-based educational programs for home and community gardeners.
• Develop science-based information and resources; support local volunteers and hotline volunteers.
• Deliver outreach through media, online learning, articles, and in-person meetings.
• Collaborate with partners and MSU personnel to extend program reach and impact.
• Report program outputs and impacts; participate in professional development.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Oral communication

Written communication

Team collaboration

Self-motivation

Technology literacy

Education

Master’s degree in horticulture or related field

Tools

Educational delivery technologies

Job description

Working/Functional Title

Consumer Horticulture Educator

Position Summary

Michigan State University Extension is committed to fostering a welcoming and collaborative environment. We strive to create a positive culture, access to resources, and a sense of belonging for staff, partners, and programming participants. All staff at MSU Extension are dedicated to:

• Working together to ensure that programming is available to all audiences, creates meaningful and positive impacts for participants, and demonstrates partnership and collaboration across communities.
• Understanding that a welcoming and respectful environment is built through the efforts of everyone.
• Fostering an environment that welcomes a broad range of perspectives and experiences, ensuring that all individuals have the opportunity to contribute and thrive.
• Ensuring that every team member is prepared with the skills and resources to contribute to our supportive culture.
• Fostering an environment that values a range of perspectives, skills, and experiences by working to ensure access to programming for communities.
• Committing to continuous learning and engagement to better serve Michigan residents and meet evolving community needs.
• Recognizing that broad accessibility and collaboration are essential to organizational and programmatic success.
• Embracing a culture of understanding, coaching, and feedback toward achieving a vision of success for the entire organization and its staff.

As part of MSU Extension and the Agriculture and Agribusiness Institute, this position provides local and statewide leadership and educational programming expertise for home and community gardeners. It leads the local Extension Master Gardener Programs in Livingston, Washtenaw, and surrounding counties, collaborates across work teams, institutes, and community groups, and works with faculty, specialists, and educators to advance the needs of the Institute clientele.

Responsibilities include identifying, designing, implementing, and evaluating research‑based educational programs that meet outreach needs related to best management practices for landscape and garden management. The role involves developing and delivering science‑based information for home and community gardeners, supporting local volunteers, providing resources to lawn and garden hotline volunteers, and developing entrepreneurial programs for the consumer horticulture program.

Effective communication and dissemination of research‑based information through multi‑media, distance education technologies, social media, written articles, and in‑person meetings are essential. The role also includes collaboration with partners, creating outreach materials, and serving as an informational resource for MSU personnel and clientele.

The position may be eligible to use a flexible work environment, but there is an expectation to work from an extension county office. This full‑time, fixed‑term, end‑dated appointment is renewable annually based on performance and funding.

Characteristic Duties/Responsibilities

• Identify, develop, conduct, and evaluate innovative educational programs that meet statewide needs.
• Develop and maintain positive relationships intra‑ and inter‑organically and promote positive public relations for MSU Extension and the AABI.
• Support the Agriculture and Agribusiness Institute’s efforts in culture, access, belonging, and civil rights, removing barriers from participation and reaching all populations.
• Communicate and interact with community groups to evaluate client needs.
• In concert with the MSU Extension work team(s), work with federal, state, and county agencies to complete needs assessments and develop effective programming.
• Serve as an information resource to clientele, partners, and Extension staff.
• Develop and utilize appropriate media methods to communicate current information, research results, and industry updates.
• Collaborate with Extension staff to gather and report programming outputs and impacts, demonstrate program effectiveness, and guide future priorities.
• 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

Master’s degree from an accredited institution in horticulture or a related field.

Minimum Requirements

• Master’s degree earned by date of hire.
• Familiarity with working with adult volunteers.
• Demonstrated ability and skill in educational program planning, implementation, and evaluation.
• Sensitivity, knowledge, and use of appropriate approaches reflecting diverse backgrounds and perspectives of target populations.
• Demonstrated success in program development and delivery to representative communities.
• Ability to create and carry out a project plan from research to completion.
• Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
• Experience and proven ability working productively with a team in leadership and contributor roles.
• Self‑motivated to work independently without daily supervision.
• Proficiency with technology tools for educational delivery and communication.
• Ability to travel locally and occasionally long‑distance.
• Ability to lift and carry materials up to 25 lbs.
• Transportation responsibility of the employee.
• Demonstrated cultural‑awareness development over the past five years.
• Experience with marketing and promotion of educational programs.
• Understanding of and ability to implement civil rights principles and compliance standards.
• Other skills and/or physical abilities required to perform duties.

Desired Qualifications

• Three years’ experience in Extension program delivery or demonstrated skill in educational program planning and evaluation.
• Demonstrated drive and initiative, with proven multitasking ability.
• Success in contract and grant writing, including securing and managing grant funds.

Required Application Materials

Resume/CV, cover letter, and four professional references including two current or former supervisors.

Special Instructions

Salary commensurate with education and experience. This is a union position represented by AFT Michigan.

Website

https://youtu.be/R58m2-um5Mg?si=Qra8RMsPySKEGpZF

MSU Statement

Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. It is one of the top research universities in the world, forging partnerships to solve global challenges and providing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through over 200 programs of study in 17 degree‑granting colleges.