Posted: 05-Dec-23
Location: Pontiac, Michigan
Salary: Open
Internal Number: 915902
Working/Functional Title
Land Use Government Community Vitality
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 Community, Food and Environment Institute (CFEI), this position provides local as well as statewide leadership and educational programming expertise in land use planning and other government and community vitality programs and partnerships. 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 primarily focus on issues related to land-use, good governance, public policy, and community vitality targeted to government officials and other local leaders. This may include planning, organizing, and implementing signature programs, including Citizen Planner, Placemaking, Housing, Facilitative Leadership, Fiscal Sustainability, strategic planning, and facilitation. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to apply your unique knowledge, skills, and abilities to develop and deliver new educational opportunities that support Michigan communities and economies. Example topics may include but are not limited to downtown/Main Street vitality, housing availability and affordability, environmental hazards, water quality, and renewable energy. In addition to statewide efforts, local efforts for this position will focus on the primary service area that includes the counties of Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne, with additional team support to greater southeast Michigan.
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, your programming efforts will leave participants with a deeper understanding of their civic responsibilities and roles within their own communities, increased confidence to make decisions, additional skills and information to better manage community resources, knowledge of how to implement best practices, and an understanding of the importance of building quality places in Michigan. The application of knowledge and skills gained from land use, good governance, and community vitality programs builds stronger civic infrastructure. You will also develop, produce, and deliver outreach materials, including written fact sheets, bulletins, mass media articles, web pages, video, social media, and possibly scholarly journal articles with messaging and content that accessible and inclusive and is consistent with the Community, Food and Environment Institute messaging.
Your work will include close collaboration with colleagues at MSU and MSU Extension, partners, and applicable work teams. You will be expected to maintain a high degree of technical competency and scholarship in planning and zoning/land-use planning, environmental protection, community/economic development, and governance.
This position will provide programmatic coverage for greater southeast Michigan. Although negotiable, there is space available to work from either the Macomb, Oakland, or Wayne 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 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 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 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 CFEI 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 -Urban planning, public policy, community
Minimum Requirements
- Master’s degree from an accredited institution in a field of study related to urban planning, public policy, community development, architecture, or related field must be earned by date of hire.
- Familiarity with Extension, science education, community resiliency, facilitative leadership, good governance principles, etc.
- 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 carry out 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, 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.
- Other skills and/or physical abilities required to perform duties of the position.
Desired Qualifications
- American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) credential or interest in obtaining credential.
- 3-years’ experience as a community planner, role supporting economic development, outreach, 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.
- Demonstrated skills and professional development from the last five years related to cultural competency and inclusive excellence.
- Experience with marketing/promotion of educational programs.
- Understanding of and ability to implement Civil Rights principles and compliance standards.
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 $56,100/year, commensurate with education and experience.
Website
https://youtu.be/KjG34cLt9a8
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.
