Extension Educator-Fixed

Working/Functional Title

Meat Industry 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 everyones 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.

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 researchbased educational programs that meet current and projected outreach needs for meat producers and small and medium sized meat processors to support them in producing safe highquality 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 Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) processed meats and meat cookery. You will provide support to education on humane animal handling and stunning and assist with associated applied research projects related to the needs of the meat industry and additional emerging needs as they arise.

You will be expected to be an effective communicator with teaching methods ranging from traditional one on one or small group inperson meetings 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 collaboration in research engagement with community members and dissemination of researchbased information through various methods including inperson 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 inclusive and is consistent with the Agriculture and Agribusiness Institute and Michigan State University 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 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 clientele.

Although negotiable there will be space available for this position to work from the campus of Michigan State University located in East Lansing Michigan.

This position may be eligible to utilize a flexible work environment however there is an expectation to work from a MSU Extension office either oncampus or offcampus in a county office. The needs responsibilities and opportunities of an individuals position and office location drive the ability and amount of worklocation flexibility.

This position is a fulltime fixed term enddated 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 meat producers and small and medium sized meat processors in Michigan.
• Develop and maintain positive working relationships intra and interorganizationally and create and promote positive public relations for MSU Extension and the AABI.
• Understand and support the Agriculture and Agribusiness Institutes 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 socioeconomic 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 researchbased 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

Bachelors Animal Science Meat Science Food Science

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelors degree from an accredited institution in a field of study related to animal science meat science food science or related field with knowledge and experience relative to meat science and the meat processing industry must be earned by date of hire with an expectation to complete a masters degree within a specified time frame in a related field after employment as discussed with hiring manager prior to employment; or masters degree from an accredited institution in a field of study related to animal science meat science food science food safety or related field with a focus on meat science and meat processing or related field must be earned by date of hire.

• Familiarity with humane animal slaughter practices further meat processing and food safety requirements.
• Knowledge of cooking for lethality and cooling for stabilization requirements for processed meats.
• Knowledge understanding and implementation of HAACP.
• Willingness to translate knowledge to stakeholders with 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.
• Demonstrated skills and professional development from the last five years related to cultural competency and inclusive excellence.
• 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.
• Understanding of and ability to implement Civil Rights principles and compliance standards.
• Ability to create and carry out a project plan from research of initial concept to project completion and followup.
• Strong interpersonal oral and written communication skills.
• Experience and proven ability working productively with a team serving in both leadership and contributor roles.
• Selfmotivated with demonstrated ability to work independently 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 daytoday work and educational program delivery record keeping reporting teambased communications and overall management.
• Ability to travel in local and surrounding communities and occasional longdistance travel are required as a regular part of this position.
• Ability to lift and carry educational materials equipment boxes of meat products etc. up to 60 lbs.
• Transportation is the responsibility of the employee.
• Other skills and/or physical abilities required to perform duties of the position.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience in the Meat Industry.
• HACCP certified.
• HAACP Train the Trainer certified.
• Knowledge and understanding of 3rd party audits (animal welfare food safety and organics)
• Experience in Extension program delivery or demonstrated ability and skill in educational program planning implementation and evaluation (relevant experience acquired within the last 5years preferred).
• Experience with marketing/promotion of educational programs.

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 fulltime fixed term enddated appointment renewable annually based upon successful performance and continued
funding.

Starting salary $56100/year commensurate with education and experience.

Review of Applications Begins On

03/17/2025

Summary of Physical Demands

This position requires the ability to lift and carry educational materials equipment boxes of meat products etc. up to 60 lbs.

Website

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 lifechanging opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degreegranting colleges.