Working/Functional Title 4-H Public Engagement & Comm. Coord. Position Summary Michigan State University Extension is committed to fostering a welcoming and collaborative environment, which requires all staff to contribute toward a vision for success regardless of title or position within the organization. We strive to create a positive culture, access to resources, and a sense of belonging for staff, partners, and programming participants. This means that all staff at MSU Extension are dedicated to the following: We work together to ensure that programming is available to all audiences, creates meaningful and positive impacts for participants, and demonstrates partnership and collaboration across communities. We understand that a welcoming and respectful environment is built through the efforts of everyone. We foster an environment that welcomes a broad range of perspectives and experiences, ensuring that all individuals have the opportunity to contribute and thrive. We ensure that every team member is prepared with the skills and resources to contribute to our welcoming and supportive culture. We foster an environment that values a range of perspectives, skills, and experiences by working to ensure access to programming for communities. We commit to continuous learning and engagement to better serve Michigan residents and meet the evolving needs of communities. We recognize that broad accessibility and collaboration are essential elements of our work and are vital to organizational and programmatic success. We embrace a culture of understanding, coaching, and feedback toward 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

This position provides communications, marketing, and public relations support for the MSU Extension Children and Youth Institute, including Michigan 4-H Youth Development and the Michigan 4-H Foundation. As the Communications Coordinator, you will develop and implement integrated communications and marketing strategies that increase awareness, engagement, and support for Michigan 4-H among youth, volunteers, families, alumni, donors, partners, and the general public. Your duties include creating, writing, editing, and managing a wide range of print, digital, and social media content that supports organizational goals and priorities. You will develop feature stories, newsletters, annual reports, marketing materials, and promotional campaigns that highlight the impact and value of Michigan 4-H programs and initiatives. You will be responsible for maintaining website and digital content to ensure information is accurate, current, and engaging for a variety of audiences. You will also support media relations and public outreach efforts by preparing communications materials and responding to inquiries as appropriate. In support of strategic communication efforts, you will coordinate the design, production, and distribution of communications resources and marketing materials. You will research and analyze data to identify and communicate program outcomes, success stories, and impact. In this role, you will support fundraising, donor stewardship, and engagement communications for the Michigan 4-H Foundation and related initiatives. You will also assist with event promotion and communications to increase participation and enhance audience engagement. Working closely with Michigan 4-H, the Michigan 4-H Foundation, MSU Extension, and other University communicators, you will collaborate to advance strategic communications goals and ensure consistent messaging across platforms. You will serve as a communications resource for internal and external partners and perform other duties as assigned. Although negotiable, this position will work on campus in East Lansing, Michigan. This position may be eligible to utilize a flexible work environment, however, there is an expectation to work from the MSU campus. The needs, responsibilities, and opportunities of an individual's position and office location drive the ability and amount of work-location flexibility. This is an off-dated position funded for one year from the date of hire with possible extension contingent upon funding renewal. Characteristic Duties/Responsibilities Composes, reviews, edits, produces, and duplicates audio, visual, video, and/or printed program materials for distribution to target audiences. Reviews and/or edits layouts, drafts, and information in order to check for content, readability, and style. Monitors social media and engages with external audiences in electronic forums. Researches materials, interviews individuals, and collects information in order to compose articles, press releases, promotional pieces, reports, or catalogs in print or electronic media. Assists with web page design, maintenance, and content management. Monitors various publications and electronic sources of news and commentary for potential relevance to unit activities. Forecasts needs and orders supplies in order to maintain inventory levels. Represents unit at functions, professional organizations, industry organizations, community and related external events. Schedules and arranges meetings and conferences on- and off-campus. Oversees designated student employees and/or interns. Communications Content Development and Storytelling (40%) Develop, write, edit and publish strategic communications and marketing content for Michigan 4-H and the Michigan 4-H Foundation, including feature stories, newsletters, impact reports, annual reports, general communications and messaging, fundraising materials, award recognition content and social media. Support the development and execution of Michigan 4-H statewide marketing and recruitment efforts and initiatives by creating marketing toolkits, templates and resources for staff. Identify, curate and write compelling, impact-focused stories that demonstrate the impact of MSU Extension, Michigan 4-H and the Michigan 4-H Foundation, including youth, donor, alumni, program and staff profiles. Develop content and oversee design, production and distribution of print, digital, video, graphic and promotional materials while working with vendors, photographers, designers and other external partners. Support 4-H public visibility and outreach by identifying newsworthy stories, developing external-facing content and press materials, monitoring relevant news and trends, and coordinating media opportunities with Extension communications leadership. Support communications for fundraising and donor engagement initiatives, including annual giving campaigns (ex. Giving Tuesday, Give Green Day, CrowdPower), direct mail appeals, donor proposals, stewardship materials, donor recognition programs and campaign-related communications. Support messaging and communication strategies to enhance donor cultivation, stewardship and philanthropic engagement. Digital Communications and Program Support (30%) Maintain digital