Working/Functional Title

Finance and Homeownership Education

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 Community, Food and Environment Institute (CFEI), this position provides local as well as statewide leadership and educational programming expertise in alignment with the MSUE Finance and Homeownership Education work team. This position will have statewide responsibilities and will collaborate across MSUE work teams, MSUE programmatic Institutes and external community groups and agencies, 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 homebuyer education and financial education workshops, housing counseling (includes pre-purchase, rental, and default foreclosure) and other related education topics. The workshops and trainings you conduct will provide a means for outreach and education. Workshop topics will be relevant to the participants and the community in which they live and may include but are not limited to topics such as: budgeting, savings, banking products, credit building, identity theft, homebuyer education, foreclosure and post-foreclosure. Through your leadership, you will improve the knowledge and skills of consumers in the application of financial management techniques and processes.

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 teach participants how to resolve current financial situations, while providing a wide lens on their financial health to shift the approach to proactive financial management and foreclosure prevention. Your work will contribute to the effective use of financial, homeownership and pre/ post-foreclosure education as a part of overall social, economic, and community development. You will also develop, produce, and deliver outreach materials with messaging and content that is accessible and inclusive.

Your work will include close collaboration with colleagues at MSU and MSU Extension, as well as the diverse network of partner groups that include Human Services Coordinating Councils. You will stay informed on matters that relate to financial, home ownership and pre-post foreclosure issues by representing MSU Extension on these councils. If you are not a HUD/MSHDA Certified Housing Counselor, MSU Extension will provide support to you to allow you to pursue this certification. You will collaborate with the MSU Extension Finance and Homeownership Education work team and will act as a statewide point of contact.

This position shall work from the Washtenaw 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 CFEI.
• Understand and support the Community, Food and Environment 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.
• 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 Community, Food and Environment Institute and work teams. 
• Actively participate in professional development opportunities.

• 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 -Family and Consumer Sciences, Housing, S

Desired Degree

Masters -Family and Consumer Sciences, Housing, S

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in a field of study related to Family and Consumer Sciences, Housing, Social Work, Economics, Finance, and/or related field must be earned by date of hire, with an expectation to complete a master’s degree within a specified time frame, in a related field, after employment; or, master’s degree from an accredited institution in field of study related to Family and Consumer Sciences, Housing, Social Work, Economics, Finance, and/or related field must be earned by date of hire.
• Familiarity with local, state and federal programs designed to assist homeowners and renters.
• 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.

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

Desired Qualifications

• HUD Certified Housing Counselor.
• 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.