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Working/Functional Title

Kalamazoo Youth Development 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), the Children & Youth Institute (CYI), and with support from the 4-H Staff Development & Supervising Educator, District Director and Institute Director, this position provides leadership and oversight of local programs, clients and participants, related to MSU Extension youth development education, assists with growth and management of local 4-H programs, volunteers, and youth participants. Working with the supervising educator, this position will work in concert with the CYI to ensure alignment of programs with overall goals of the Institute and organization.

As a member of the Children and Youth Institute, you will recruit, select and train volunteers who engage with you in the local 4-H Youth Development Program, and ensure that that MSU Extension Volunteer Selection Process is followed. You will identify opportunities for program promotion, expansion, and evaluation, as well as promote the visibility of 4-H and strengthen public understanding of 4-H and MSU Extension programs. You will work to build new partnerships which will result in programs being delivered within schools and community groups. A particular focus is on reaching youth in Kalamazoo County and partnering with Zoo City Farms, LLC to Identify and create pathways for youth, adults, organizations, and other stakeholders in the urban agricultural ecosystem to access formal and informal agricultural or skills-based education. Schedule, organize, and host events and programming related to urban agriculture, including their Freedom School initiative.

Collaborate with local partners to strengthen and expand youth urban agriculture programs and participate in identifying opportunities for integrating MSUE services, networks, and capacities into youth programming being carried out by partners.

Through your efforts, you will ensure that youth and volunteer audiences are reached through established and newly