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MODEL POSITION DESCRIPTION

EXTENSION HOME ECONOMIST - CYF EFNEP

QUALIFICATIONS:

  1. Attainment of at least a Bachelor's Degree in a field that is applicable to families with a major in Foods and Nutrition preferred.
  2. Must possess a grade point average necessary for graduate study.
  3. Demonstrated leadership and management abilities. Ability to accept and delegate responsibility.
  4. Extension or similar work-related experiences (education, community collaborations) preferred.
  5. Effective verbal and written communication and presentation skills.
  6. Ability to work effectively with people of all socioeconomic levels.
  7. Experience in developing, providing and evaluating educational programs for families of diversity and with limited resources.
  8. Demonstrated drive and initiative.
  9. Knowledge and use of computer technology in educational programming and management is preferred.
  10. Ability to disseminate health and wellness information through a variety of mass media.
  11. Personal mobility/transportation required. Flexible working hours required.
  12. Must be willing to live in                  County upon employment. Waiver available under certain circumstances.

This position is part of the MSUE Children, Youth and Family Programs team (CYF). CYF staff work with other 4-H, Food and Nutrition Education and Home Economics staff members in the county, region and state to meet the needs of youth and families across the life cycle.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

Responsible for management of the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP). Responsible for Home Economics (human development; food, nutrition and health; family resource management) educational program delivery of Michigan State University Extension, working with individuals, families and communities. Conduct nutritional assessment and educational lessons to FNP families most at-risk medically and nutritionally.

GENERAL DUTIES

  1. Plan, organize, implement and evaluate education programs that are relevant to individual, family and community needs in the county.
  2. Handles consumer inquiries regarding health and wellness information.
  3. Develop creative approaches and deliver educational programs designed to enhance the quality of life for priority audiences or families across the life cycle (youth, families, limited-resource families or retiree audiences).
  4. Provide information and opportunities for learning through the use of the mass media (TV, radio, newspapers, newsletters, special mailings), group meeting, workshops and individual contacts.
  5. Assists in resource acquisition in support of health and wellness-educational programming.
  6. Work with other human service and educational agencies to coordinate, develop, deliver and evaluate collaborative programs focusing on the concerns of children, youth and families.
  7. Implement the directives of the USDA's policy on Civil Rights and Title IX regarding the availability of Children, Youth and Family programs and EEO policies on employment.
  8. Participate in staff development opportunities, formal and informal, that will lead to improved competencies in areas that will meet the needs of children, youth and families.
  9. Prepare Extension reports (EFNEP, ERS, individual Plan of Work, monthly EARS and Annual Reports) respecting format and due date procedures.
  10. Communicate and cooperate with other members of the county and/or area Extension staff, specialists, administrators and other groups and agencies utilizing a team approach that will benefit the ongoing effectiveness of MSU Extension in                     County.
  11. Carry out other duties as assigned.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

  1. Provides leadership for the EFNEP and related projects within the county. Collaborate with FNP projects in surrounding counties as needed.
  2. Interpret philosophy and objectives of MSUE, EFNEP and related projects to others. Educational activities and programs should be designed to reflect the intent of the specific programs.
  3. Expand program visibility and recruit potential clientele through collaboration and cooperation with community agencies, local organization, key community leaders and through the use of mass media.
  4. Recruit, interview, hire, train, supervise and evaluate EF'NEP and related project staff in accordance with Equal Employment Opportunity, Civil Rights, MSU and MSUE guidelines.
  5. Conduct staff performance evaluations; plan and establish work load, work area and responsibilities with EFNEP staff; plan and organize office physical facilities to provide positive environment for staff; provide on-site management for EFNEP office and supervision for 4-H/EFNEP program assistants where necessary.
  6. Manage EFNEP accounts according to county, state and federal guidelines.

TRAINING:

  1. Develop, implement and evaluate regional and county inservice education programs for new EFNEP staff. Provide regular and continued inservice education to increase the competencies of existing staff. Include educational experiences which will provide for continuous development of the abilities of the EFNEP staff.
  2. Maintain a well-organized, current supply of inservice and teaching materials.
  3. Assist EFNEP staff in developing training materials and educational experiences to meet specific needs of various families and groups; share materials developed with the MSU EFNEP office so that others in the state may also benefit.
  4. Coordinate training of EFNEP staff to include volunteers, agency representatives and other community leaders.

PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT:

  1. Involve target families, agencies with common goals and other MSUE staff in identifying needs, developing and evaluating programs to improve the family living situation for limited resource families. This includes the development of an EFNEP advisory group to serve the needs of the families and the purposes of the program.
  2. Work closely with 4-H Youth Agent to identify and train volunteer 4-H/EFNEP leadership and interpret 4-H philosophy for 4-H/EFNEP programs.
  3. In collaboration with Children, Youth and Family (CYF) staff, develop and implement an effective food and nutrition education program based on the needs of families in the county, MSUE resources and MSUE goals and purposes.
  4. Plan with other MSUE staff for the progression of EFNEP families from a one-to one/group relationship to involvement in other MSUE programs.
  5. Work with EFNEP staff in planning and conducting 4-H/EFNEP programs and in training 4-H/EFNEP volunteers.

Individual is responsible to the County Extension Director. Relates to the Regional Extension Director.