Extension Educator-Fixed

MSU - Michigan State University; Ionia (MI); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Michigan State University Extension seeks a Meat Industry Extension Educator to provide leadership and educational programming in meat production and processing across Michigan. The role collaborates with faculty, specialists, and local groups to deliver research-based outreach and workforce training programs.

The position focuses on communicating current industry updates, producing outreach materials, and supporting humane handling, sanitation, and meat processing education.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Animal Science, Meat Science, Food Science, Food Safety, Poultry Science or related field must be earned by date of hire.
• Familiarity with humane animal slaughter practices, further meat processing, and food safety requirements.
• Proven ability in educational program planning, implementation, and evaluation.
• Demonstrated cultural awareness and ability to work with diverse populations.
• Experience in marketing/promotion of educational programs and civil rights compliance.

Responsibilities

• Identify, develop, conduct, and evaluate educational programs for meat processors across Michigan.
• Collaborate with MSU Extension teams and community groups to meet outreach needs.
• Create and deliver educational materials (articles, videos, bulletins, infographics).
• Lead statewide programming and communicate with commodity groups to assess clientele needs.
• Travel to local and surrounding communities to support extension activities.
• Maintain and report program outputs and impacts to guide priorities.

Skills

Program design

Communication

Team work

Technology use

Travel

Education

Master's in Animal/Meat/Food Science

Tools

Qualtrics

Microsoft Teams

Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Outlook

Job description

Working/Functional Title

Meat Industry Extension Educator

Position Summary

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 meat production and processing throughout Michigan. This position 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 this position, you will identify, design, implement, and evaluate research‑based educational programs that meet current and projected outreach needs related to meat producers and small and medium sized meat processors to support them in producing safe, high‑quality meat products. Through your leadership, the scope of your program can include but not be limited to assisting processors with state and federal regulations, creating workforce training activities, such as meat cutter training, sanitation, HACCP, processed meats, meat cookery, while providing support to education on humane animal handling and stunning, assisting with associated applied research projects related to the needs of the meat processing industry, and additional emerging needs as they arise.

You will be expected to be an effective communicator with teaching methods ranging from traditional in‑person meetings held one‑on‑one or in 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 your 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 viability of the meat processing industry. You will also develop, produce, and deliver animal agriculture 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 the Michigan Meat Association and associated allied partner groups. You will collaborate with the MSU Product Center, the Center for Regional Food Systems, and related programs. 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 the clientele.

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

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

• Identify, develop, conduct, and evaluate innovative educational programs that meet current and projected statewide needs, and support growth and understanding of critical issues facing small and medium sized meat processors 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.
• 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 - Animal Science, Meat Science, Food Science, Food Safety, Poultry Science

Minimum Requirements

• Master’s degree from an accredited institution in a field of study related to Animal Science, Meat Science, Food Science, Food Safety, Poultry Science, or related field must be earned by date of hire.
• Familiarity with humane animal slaughter practices, further meat processing, and food safety requirements.
• 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 varied economic backgrounds and perspectives of the target population served.
• 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.
• 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 60lb.
• Transportation is the responsibility of the employee.
• Demonstrated skills and professional development over the past five years related to cultural awareness and the ability to work effectively with individuals from varied backgrounds.
• Experience with marketing/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 of the position.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience in the Meat Industry
• HACCP train‑the‑trainer certified.
• Meat or poultry animal welfare Professional Animal Auditor Certification Organization (PACCO) certification.
• 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).
• 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.

Employment Type

Full‑time, fixed‑term end‑dated appointment, renewable annually based upon successful performance and continued funding.

Summary of Physical Demands

Lifting up to 60 lbs.

Carrying 2-5 ft. load up to 60 lbs.

Pulling less than daily, as needed for programming 3 plus times per year.

Summary of Health Risks

Work with animals or unfixed animal tissue.