Extension Educator-Fixed

Michigan State University; Michigan; On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Michigan State University Extension seeks an Integrated Pest Management Extension Educator to lead research-based IPM programming for tart and sweet cherry, apple, and related fruit industries across Michigan.

You will deliver on-farm consultations, develop educational materials, and collaborate with faculty, staff, and stakeholders to advance sustainable pest management. The role requires travel, strong communication, and a commitment to inclusive outreach.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in a related field must be earned by date of hire.
• Familiarity with commercial tree fruit production.
• Ability to travel locally and regionally as required.
• Experience in educational program planning and delivery.

Responsibilities

• Identify, develop, and evaluate IPM education programs for tree fruit growers.
• Collaborate with MSU Extension colleagues and stakeholder groups statewide.
• Deliver outreach materials and demonstrations to diverse audiences.
• Engage in research-based outreach and inform policy and practice in IPM for fruit crops.
• Provide on-farm consultations and virtual/in-person programming.
• Communicate with clientele through multiple media channels.

Skills

Public speaking

Educational program development

Collaboration

Communication

Education

Master's degree in Entomology

Master's degree in Plant Pathology

Master's degree in Weed Science

Master's degree in Horticulture or Crop Science

Tools

Zoom

Qualtrics

MS Teams

Microsoft Office

Job description

Working/Functional Title

Integrated Pest Management Extension Educator

Position Summary

Michigan State University Extension is committed to fostering a welcoming and collaborative environment, which requires all staff to contribute toward a vision for success regardless of title or position within the organization. We strive to create a positive culture, access to resources, and a sense of belonging for staff, partners, and programming participants. This means that all staff at MSU Extension are dedicated to the following:

• We work together to ensure that programming is available to all audiences, creates meaningful and positive impacts for participants, and demonstrates partnership and collaboration across communities.
• We understand that a welcoming and respectful environment is built through the efforts of everyone.
• We foster an environment that welcomes a broad range of perspectives and experiences, ensuring that all individuals have the opportunity to contribute and thrive.
• We ensure that every team member is prepared with the skills and resources to contribute to our welcoming and supportive culture.
• We foster an environment that values a range of perspectives, skills, and experiences by working to ensure access to programming for communities.
• We commit to continuous learning and engagement to better serve Michigan residents and meet the evolving needs of communities.
• We recognize that broad accessibility and collaboration are essential elements of our work and are vital to organizational and programmatic success.
• We embrace a culture of understanding, coaching, and feedback toward 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

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 Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in tree fruit. This position will have statewide responsibilities and will collaborate across work teams, Institutes, and stakeholder groups, working with faculty, specialists, and educators for the 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 the needs of the cherry (tart and sweet), apple, and related fruit industries. Through your leadership, you will provide support to tree fruit growers in northwest Michigan to improve the sustainability of their industries. This can include but not limited tomonitoring pests and conducting Integrated Crop Management training sessions to encourage adoption of new technologies and techniques in horticulture and pest management. You will focus on IPM efforts but also be expected to fully understand and take a holistic approach to tree fruit systems. Your work will include completing on-farm consultations, virtual and in-person meetings, and developing educational materials, conducting demonstrations, and/or participating in on-going field research.

Through collaboration in research, engagement with stakeholders 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 tree fruit industries. You will also develop, produce, and deliver tree fruit integrated pest management outreach materials with messaging and content that is accessible and is consistent with the Agriculture and Agribusiness Institute messaging. This information will be essential to help Michigan tree fruit producers compete nationally and internationally with modern growing systems that incorporate cutting edge and technologically advanced IPM strategies, so to assist farmers to grow, harvest, and market a high-quality crop.

You will be expected to be an effective communicator and ensure dissemination of research- based information through various methods, including multi-media, distance education technologies, social media, written articles, and in-person meetings, and will provide clientele information to help them improve their knowledge of pest management and horticultural strategies to improve their crop management, while minimizing environmental impact. Additionally, you will serve as an informational resource for MSU personnel and clientele.

Your work will include close collaboration with colleagues at MSU and MSU Extension, as well as the network of partner groups that include regional and state horticulture societies and commodity associations. Acting as a statewide point of contact, you will provide support for AABI in determining research and programmatic needs across the state and will communicate and interact with commodity groups to evaluate the needs of the clientele.

This position will work from the Northwest Michigan Horticulture Research Center in Leelanau County, Michigan.

MSU Extension is a forward-facing, community-based organization that supports a flexible work environment for its diverse and talented workforce. Being present in communities is at the core of the organization’s mission. The level of flexibility within positions is driven by the needs, responsibilities, opportunities, and location of the position. There is an expectation employees work from an assigned MSU work site as a primary office location. However, there may be an opportunity to utilize MSU Extension’s flexible work environment.

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 supports growth and understanding of critical issues facing fruit growers 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 stakeholder 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.
• Attend monthly office and district meetings at the Leelanau County MSU Extension Office.
• 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 -Entomology, Plant Pathology, Weed Science, Horticulture or Crop Science

Minimum Requirements

• Master’s degree from an accredited institution in a field of study related to entomology, plant pathology, weed science, horticulture or crop science, with knowledge of integrated pest management principles, or related field must be earned by date of hire.
• Candidates who have not yet completed the required degree but are actively pursuing it from an accredited institution at the time of application will be considered; the required degree must be completed and conferred prior to hire.
• Familiarity with commercial tree fruit production.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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 that are required to perform duties of the position.

Desired Qualifications

• Advanced degree in plant pathology or weed science.
• 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.

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.

Starting salary commensurate with education and experience.

Please note 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. 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.