Job no: 703041
Work type: Extension, Faculty/Academic Staff
Major Administrative Unit / College: Michigan State University Extension
Department: Extension Health And Nutrition 10058946
Sub Area: FAS- Fac./Acad Staff
Salary: Salary Commensurate with Experience
Location: Clinton Township, Lapeer, Macomb, Oakland, St. Clair, Wayne
Categories: Full Time (90-100%), Extension Program Associate-EXPA, Fixed Term Academic Staff, MSU Extension- EXPA, Advising/Counseling, Agriculture, Education/Training, Health Care Professional, Health Care Support, Research/Scientific, Non-Union
Working/Functional Title

Food Safety Extension Educator

Position Summary

Michigan State University Extension is committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive organization, which requires all staff to contribute towards a vision for success. Diversity, equity and inclusion are central to our work, regardless of title or position within the organization. This means that all staff at MSU Extension are dedicated to the following:

We work together to ensure that programming is delivered to diverse audiences, produces equitable impacts for all participants, and demonstrates partnership and inclusion for all groups.

We embrace that it is everyone’s job to create a culture that promotes diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.

We ensure that every team member is prepared with the skills and resources to contribute to our welcoming and inclusive culture.

We foster inclusion by recognizing and valuing diverse perspectives, skills, experiences, and work to create equal access to programming for communities.

We commit to continuous learning for diversity, equity, and cultural competency, in order to achieve inclusive excellence.

We understand that diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential elements to our work and are vital to the organizational culture and programmatic success of MSU Extension.

We embrace a culture of understanding, coaching and feedback towards 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.

As part of MSU Extension (MSUE) and the Health and Nutrition Institute (HNI), this position provides local as well as statewide leadership and educational programming expertise in food safety in Metro Detroit/ City of Detroit and surrounding area. 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 food safety. Food safety programming encourages Michigan’s residents to use safe food practices to reduce the risk of foodborne illness by teaching foodservice managers, workers, volunteers, childcare providers, and consumers about safe food practices. You will educate consumers on proper, research-based, home food preservation methods and help create safer food handling practices at food pantries and farmers markets. Through your leadership, you will implement food safety educational programs such as Food Preservation, ServSafe®, Cottage Food Law, Safe Food = Healthy Kids, Food Pantry Food Safety, Cooking for Crowds, and more. You will also work with team members to answer questions from the public through online platforms, texting, and a statewide telephone hotline.

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 help adults learn how to reduce their risk of illness when preparing food and to preserve food safely. You will also develop, produce, and deliver education that reaches childcare providers to reduce foodborne illnesses in the children they care for, and foodservice managers, workers and volunteers across the state who protect their customers’ health and sell food products to the public. You will work with the food safety team to provide outreach materials that include messaging and content that is accessible and inclusive and is consistent with Health and Nutrition Institute messaging.

Your work will include close collaboration with colleagues at MSU and MSU Extension, as well as the diverse network of partner groups that include local county health departments and local Metro Detroit food businesses.

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

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 people in Michigan.

Develop and maintain positive working relationships intra- and inter-organizationally and create and promote positive public relations for MSU Extension and the HNI.

Understand and support the Health and Nutrition Institute’s efforts in diversity, equity, inclusion and Civil Rights, with a special emphasis on removing barriers from participation and reaching diverse 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 in rural, suburban and urban communities, and where applicable, increasing programmatic delivery and participation in urban centers.

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 HNI 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 -Nutrition, Food Science, Public Health

Minimum Requirements

Master’s degree from an accredited institution in a field of study related to nutrition, food science, public health or related field must be earned by date of hire.

Familiarity with Michigan Food Code.

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 economic diversity of the target population served.

Ability to create and carryout a project plan from research of initial concept to project completion and follow-up.

Strong interpersonal, oral and written communication skills.

Proficiency in use of technology (e.g., web research, 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.

Demonstrated success in program development and delivery to diverse audiences/communities, and proven ability in establishing and working with a diverse 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.

Self-motivated with demonstrated ability to work independently in an office environment without daily supervision and/or coaching.

Other skills and/or physical abilities required to perform duties of the position.

Desired Qualifications

• 3-years’ experience in program delivery, teaching, 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.

Website

https://youtu.be/d4nOSa6xLy8

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.

Advertised: May 3, 2021 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: Jun 18, 2021 Eastern Daylight Time