Careers

Working/Functional Title

UP Veteran Outreach Program Instructor

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.

POSITION SUMMARY

As part of MSU Extension (MSUE) and the Health and Nutrition Institute (HNI), this position provides leadership and oversight of local programs, clients, and participants, related to MSU Extension Veterans Outreach for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and as part of the HNI Health work team.

As a team member of the Health and Nutrition Institute, you will oversee and ensure program/project promotion and expansion activities and assist with data gathering for impact evaluation efforts. You will work in conjunction with your supervisor, program participants and community partners to attain both short-term and long-term goals and objectives. Through your supervising educator, you will work in concert with the appropriate MSU Extension Institute and/or work team(s) to ensure alignment of programs with overall goals of work team, Institute, and organization.

As the Veteran Outreach Program Instructor, you will coordinate outreach efforts across the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to assist military veterans and their families in accessing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and will provide direct support to those individuals during their application process. Your outreach efforts will be conducted throughout the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and at regional/statewide events. You will promote and recruit for eligible SNAP participants, provide guidance and referrals throughout the SNAP application process, follow-up on program applicants through MI Bridges, attend team meetings, conduct project evaluations, and collect and submit data to the SNAP Outreach Coordinator for reporting. In addition to outreach, you will cross train in health program delivery to support the Veteran Community. A travel budget, outreach materials and displays will be available. A demonstrated ability to work effectively with veteran populations is desired. Military veterans and their dependents are encouraged to apply.

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

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 is a full-time, end-dated appointment, renewable annually based upon continued funding.

 Characteristic Duties/Responsibilities

• Plan, organize and carry out programs that focus on Veteran Outreach to SNAP eligible audiences.
• Operate somewhat independently, with minimal supervision, ensuring that program delivery follows prescribed guidelines and meets the goals for reaching specific audiences.
• Develop and maintain positive working relationships intra- and inter-organizationally and create and promote positive public relations for MSU Extension and the Health and Nutrition Institute.
• Understand and support the Health and Nutrition Institute’s efforts in diversity, equity, and inclusion, with a special emphasis on 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.
• Initiate efforts to expand MSU Extension programs to ensure that community needs assessments, program development and recruitment efforts include the engagement of Michigan’s diverse residents across race, gender, socioeconomic class, disabilities, and other differences.
• Collaborate with the appropriate MSU Extension Institute work teams.
• Provide expertise and information to clientele related to program area.
• Plan, organize and implement programs that are relevant to program area and meet the needs of local residents.
• Work to identify and remove barriers from participation in MSU Extension programs.
• Attend various and related local program meetings or committee meetings, as well as community planning activities, as appropriate.

• Actively participate in a variety of professional development opportunities to attain and retain program knowledge and delivery skills.
• Create, promote, and represent MSU Extension in activities, meetings, etc. in a manner that reflects collegial connection with the community, the research and knowledge of the University, and the goodwill of MSU Extension.
• Ensure that diverse audiences are reached through traditional and newly developed programs.
• Provide information and opportunities for learning through the use of technology, mass media, group meetings, workshops, and individual contacts.
• Other duties as may be assigned by supervisor.

Unit Specific Education/Experience/Skills

• Bachelor’s degree and two years of experience in program management and delivery.
• Combination of education and specific, relevant experience may be considered in lieu of degree.
• 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.
• Proficiency in use of technology (e.g., web research, Zoom, Qualtrics, Microsoft Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook for mail/calendaring, distance technology, etc.).
• Effective oral and written communication skills. 
• 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.
• 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.

• Experience and proven ability working productively with a team serving in both leadership and contributor roles.
• 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 from the last five years related to cultural competency and inclusive excellence.
• Understanding of and ability to implement Civil Rights principles and compliance standards.

Desired Qualifications

• Prior experience working with and supporting veteran populations.
• Knowledge of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
• Knowledge of MI Bridges system
• Demonstrated drive and initiative, with proven ability to manage multiple responsibilities and tasks simultaneously.

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 Application Materials

• Current resume/CV.
• Cover letter.
• Four (4) professional references including at least two (2) prior or current supervisors.

Special Instructions

This position is a full-time, end-dated appointment renewable annually based on continued funding.

Effective 10/1/2023, the salary for this position will increase to $45,900.00

Work Hours

Generally 40 hours Monday through Friday, with some nights and weekends needed.

Description of End Date

12 months. This position is a full-time, end-dated appointment renewable annually based on continued funding.

Website

https://youtu.be/KjG34cLt9a8

About Michigan State University

Spartans work every day to advance the common good in uncommon ways.Together, we tackle some of the world?s toughest problems to find solutions that make life better?from alternative energy to better food safety to breakthrough medical and environmental applications achieved through rare isotope research.We teach. We explore and we discover. We collaborate and lead. We innovate, inspire, and empower. We achieve our potential and create circumstances that help our students and others achieve theirs.We're good at it, and we've been at it for more than 150 years.The nation?s pioneer land-grant university, MSU began as a bold experiment that democratized higher education and helped bring science and innovation into everyday life. The revolutionary concept became a model for the nation.Today, MSU is one of the top research universities in the world?on one of the biggest, greenest campuses in the nation. Home to nationally ranked and recognized academic, residential college, and service-learning programs, we?re a diverse community of dedicated students and scholars, athletes and artists, scientists and leaders.In ways both practical and profound, we work to create a stronger, more sustainable, and more hopeful future for all.

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