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Position Overview

As part of MSU Extension (MSUE) and the Community, Food and Environment Institute (CFEI), the leader of the MSU Tollgate Farm and Education Center will work as the Tollgate Director and will provide on-site leadership for a full/seasonal team of almost forty (40) individuals delivering nationally recognized place-based education from a 160-acre historic university owned/leased farm property located in Novi, Michigan. The director is accountable for the overall management of the facility, its programs and the health and safety of on-site program participants, mostly youth. As such, the director will oversee most aspects of staffing, educational programming/outreach, fund development, business operations/account management, facility operations, staff development, and community relations.

In this position, you will provide leadership to the Tollgate programming team in identifying, designing, delivering, and evaluating youth education programs, including summer STEM-related natural resource and food related topics day camps, school field trips and classroom presentations. You will also provide leadership in identifying adult-focused outreach and education programs on topics related to Tollgate staff expertise. You will ensure that programmatic content and messaging materials are accessible, inclusive, and consistent with MSU Extension messaging.

Your work will include close collaboration with colleagues at MSU and MSU Extension, as well as a diverse network of partner groups that include the City of Novi, local governmental units/departments, local and regional foundations, local and regional school districts, the local and regional business community, local and regional non-profits, and local and regional cultural organizations.

There will be space available for this position to work from the MSU Extension Tollgate Farm and Education Center, located in Novi, Michigan.

Minimum Qualifications (see full description for complete list of requirements)

Master’s degree in agriculture, business, environmental education, or other environmental fields, or related field.
Strong commitment to teaching and to sharing an appreciation for nature and agriculture.
Prior experience in nature/agriculture place-based education camps, staff management, and budgetary/administrative responsibilities.

MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer, committed to achieving excellence through a diverse workforce and inclusive culture that encourages all people to reach their full potential. Michigan State University Extension employment opportunities are open to eligible/qualified persons without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. MSU is committed to achieving excellence through cultural diversity. Persons with disabilities have the right to request and receive reasonable accommodations.

The university actively encourages applications and/or nominations of women, persons of color, veterans and persons with disabilities.