Working/Functional Title

Tree Fruit Specialist

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), the Agriculture and Agribusiness Institute (AABI), and MSU AgBioResearch (ABR), this position will work closely with tree fruit growers and conduct applied research both in grower orchards and research centers to respond to tree fruit grower needs. In addition, this position will provide local as well as statewide leadership and educational programming, and related research associated with tree fruit production.

Michigan is the second-most agriculturally diverse state in the United States, and is the leading tart cherry, and 3rd leading apple producing state in the U.S.  In this position, you will work with tree fruit growers within the region and statewide, evaluating issues within their orchards as well as opportunities to adopt new management techniques. You will collaborate across work teams and Institutes, including working with faculty, specialists, and educators to achieve efficient, profitable, and sustainable tree fruit production and overall advancement for the Michigan tree fruit industry.

You will identify, design, implement, and evaluate research-based educational programs that meet current and projected outreach needs related to tree fruit production. You are expected to secure intra- and extramural grant funding to support your research and Extension programs, to address, but not limited to, such themes as fertility, soil health, regenerative agriculture, climate resiliency, pruning, training systems, plant growth regulators or other related topics in tree fruit production. Through your leadership, you will be expected to be an effective communicator and ensure dissemination of research- based information through various methods, including multi-media, distance education technologies, social media, written articles, and in-person meetings, and will provide growers, processors, and agri-business professionals with the knowledge to profitably produce their crop, while minimizing environmental impact. Additionally, you will serve as an informational resource for MSU personnel and clientele.

The position will be based at the 350-acre Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center, located near Benton Harbor, near extensive tart cherry, apple, and peach production.

This position may be eligible to utilize a flexible work environment, however, there is an expectation to work from the Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center. 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 of tree fruit growers, processors, and agri-business professionals, and supports growth and understanding of critical issues facing people in Michigan.
• Develop an innovative, and forward-thinking, intra-, and extramurally funded applied tree fruit research program, addressing contemporary and future industry needs.
• Develop and maintain positive working relationships intra- and inter-organizationally and create and promote positive public relations for MSU Extension,  AABI and ABR.
• Understand and support the Agriculture and Agribusiness Institute’s and AgBioResearch’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.
• Communicate and interact with community groups to evaluate the needs of the clientele.
• In concert with the MSU Extension work team(s), and MSU AgBioResearch, work with federal, state, and county agencies to complete needs assessment of the community and develop effective programming and research studies.
• Serve as a tree-fruit information resource to clientele, partners, Extension, and research 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 and AgBioResearch staff to gather and report programming outputs and impacts, to demonstrate program effectiveness, and to guide future program and research priorities for MSU Extension, AABI work teams, and ABR.
• 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 with input from the AgBioResearch 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 -Horticulture

Desired Degree

Doctorate -Horticulture

Minimum Requirements

• Master’s degree from an accredited institution in a field of study related to horticulture, crop science, germane to tree-fruit production, or related field, must be earned by date of hire.
• Familiarity with tree-production and experience with tree fruit horticultural practices related to tree fruit research and education.
• Experience conducting research independently.
• Experience in contract and grant writing and acquiring and managing grant funding and resources.
• 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 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.
• 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.
• Experience and proven ability working productively with a team serving in both leadership and contributor roles.
• Self-motivated with demonstrated ability to work independently in an office environment 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 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.
• Ability to lift and carry educational materials, equipment, etc. up to 65 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.
• Experience with marketing/promotion of educational programs.
• Understanding of and ability to implement Civil Rights principles and compliance standards.
• Other skills and/or physical abilities required to perform duties of the position.

Desired Qualifications

• Persons with a Ph.D. from an accredited institution in a field of study related to horticulture or crop science with a background in tree fruit production.
• 3-years’ experience in Extension program delivery 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.

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 commensurate with education and experience.

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Website

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About Michigan State University

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