Project/Event Coordinator-Michigan State University

Job Description

Job Title: Project/Event Coordinator

Company: Michigan State University

Location: East Lansing, MI

Pay:

AI Pay Analysis: To accurately analyze the hourly rate for a “Project/Event Coordinator” in East Lansing, MI, we would typically compare it to industry standards and regional data. As of late 2023, the average hourly wage for project/event coordinators in the U.S. ranges from $20 to $30 per hour, depending on experience and specific responsibilities. In East Lansing, considering the local cost of living and demand for event coordination services, a competitive rate would likely fall within this range or slightly above it for more experienced candidates. If the provided hourly rate is within $25-$35, it would generally be considered competitive and aligned with industry standards in similar locations. Conversely, rates significantly lower could indicate a non-competitive position. For a more precise evaluation, the specific hourly wage would be necessary.

Job description:

Dr. Sue Rhee is searching for a highly motivated, organized, and innovative individual to lead the outreach and stakeholder engagement initiatives for C-SPIRIT (Center for Sustainable Plant Innovation and Resilience through International Teamwork), an interdisciplinary, multi-institutional, and international research center dedicated to addressing the pressing challenge of stabilizing global food production in the face of unpredictable weather patterns.

C-SPIRIT unites experts from the United States, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom to explore sustainable agricultural solutions. By investigating and utilizing natural products derived from plants and microbes, the Center aims to enhance plant and soil health, thereby ensuring crop productivity despite increasing environmental stressors. The Center’s commitment to developing natural solutions seeks to mitigate urgent agricultural challenges while reducing dependence on non-sustainable practices such as synthetic fertilizers and extensive irrigation. The international collaboration also supports multidisciplinary knowledge exchange and skill enhancement across borders, thereby bolstering global scientific capabilities and playing a crucial role in training the next generation of leaders in sustainable agriculture, directly contributing to the broader bioeconomy and societal well-being.

A key objective of the Center is to engage industry and agricultural stakeholders to ensure the developed solutions are both practical and widely adopted. Emphasizing public engagement and technology adoption is essential for building trust and facilitating the implementation of sustainable agricultural practices. The successful candidate will be responsible for advancing this mission through the following key responsibilities:

Responsibilities:

• Manage Stakeholder Engagement: Cultivate and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including industry partners, farmers, commodity groups, and the agricultural community, ensuring their insights inform the Center’s strategic planning.

• Support External Communications: Design and execute communication strategies that effectively convey the Center’s objectives, activities, and achievements through newsletters, press releases, social media, annual reports, and a dedicated website, making the Center’s work accessible to both scientific and public audiences.

• Coordinate Educational and Outreach Programs: Organize and oversee educational initiatives, workshops, and public engagement events aimed at mentoring future leaders in the bioeconomy and sustainable agriculture. This includes collaborating with Extension educators and other partners to produce dissemination materials.

• Sustainability and Growth Strategy: Work closely with the leadership team to identify avenues for expanding the Center’s influence and impact, including recruiting new members, partners, and stakeholders, as well as developing long-term sustainability strategies encompassing fundraising and community engagement efforts.

• Facilitate Stakeholder Feedback and Input: Conduct surveys and host regular meetings with stakeholders to gather input on the Center’s initiatives and ensure alignment with the needs of the agricultural and scientific communities.

• Public Trust Building: Develop strategies to enhance public trust in the Center’s technologies and initiatives through transparent communication with external audiences, particularly in addressing concerns related to new technology adoption.

• Event Planning and Coordination: Strategically plan and execute outreach events, conferences, and workshops in cooperation with international partners, ensuring ample participation from scientists, stakeholders, and the public.

• Content Creation and Dissemination: Supervise the production of educational materials, including brochures, videos, and reports, to share the Center’s research findings and broader impacts with a global audience.

• Manage Outreach Budgets and Resources: Oversee the budget designated for outreach activities, ensuring effective resource utilization and alignment with the Center’s overarching goals.

The ideal candidate will possess a knowledge base equivalent to a four-year college degree in Public Relations, Communications, Business, or a related field, alongside one to three years of progressively responsible experience in relevant domains, including the organization and management of special events. Proficiency in word processing, database management, spreadsheet applications, desktop publishing, and presentation software may be required, along with potential certifications pertinent to the role.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree (required) or Master’s degree (preferred) in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Agricultural Science, Environmental Science, or a related discipline.

Experience:

• 3-5 years of experience in outreach, communications, or public relations, ideally within scientific, environmental, or agricultural organizations.

• Proven ability to work with diverse stakeholders, including industry actors, academic institutions, non-profits, and the general public.

• Demonstrated experience in organizing and managing events, workshops, or educational programs.

Communication Skills:

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the capacity to distill complex scientific concepts for varied audiences.

• Experience in content creation for social media, newsletters, and websites.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.

• Strong public speaking and presentation capabilities.

Stakeholder Management:

Experience in building and nurturing relationships with external partners, including industry professionals, community groups, and other key stakeholders.

Project Management:

Demonstrated organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while adhering to deadlines.

Event Coordination:

Established ability to design, implement, and assess successful events ranging from intimate workshops to large conferences.

Technical Skills:

• Familiarity with communication tools, including social media platforms, email marketing software, and content management systems (CMS).

• Knowledge of graphic design or video production software (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite) is advantageous.

Cultural Competence:

Experience operating in international or cross-cultural environments, with an understanding of the dynamics involved in collaboration across diverse countries and cultures.

Adaptability:

Capacity to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, with a proactive mindset for identifying new outreach opportunities and adjusting to evolving needs.

Passion for Science and Sustainability:

Demonstrated commitment to sustainable agriculture, environmental science, and bioeconomy topics.

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 Application Materials:

• Cover letter
• CV/resume
• Names and contact information for three professional references

Special Instructions:

Work Hours: Standard 8 AM to 5 PM.

Description of End Date: This position is funded for one year, with the possibility of extension contingent upon the renewal of funding.

Website:

Bidding eligibility ends November 5, 2024, at 11:55 P.M.

Advertised: October 30, 2024, Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: November 12, 2024, Eastern Standard Time.

Job Posting Date: Thu, 31 Oct 2024 23:08:59 GMT

Apply now!