Departmental Specialist 13 (Farm to Family Community Engagement Specialist)
State of Michigan
Lansing, MI 48909, USA
Published 4 days ago
Farm, Ranch, and Greenhouse Operations
Full time
Salary: $31.99 - $47.75 Hourly
Location : Lansing, MI
Job Type: Permanent Full Time
Job Number: 7901-26-EXE-022
Department: Agriculture and Rural Development
Opening Date: 06/10/2026
Closing Date: 6/24/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Bargaining Unit: NON-EXCLUSIVE REPRESENTED EMPLOYEE (NERE)
Job Description
Food and Agriculture is one of the largest industries in Michigan. Grow with us and make a difference!
About this position:
This position serves as the statewide specialist that leads engagement and relationship-building efforts with communities across Michigan, to understand food system needs and opportunities that align with Farm to Family Program priorities. The Community Engagement Specialist manages program-related site visits, events, and sponsorships by developing partnerships, budgets, promotional materials, and evaluation tools. This position identifies and tracks public engagement opportunities and maintains outreach materials and resources that will be distributed by Farm to Family Program staff. In collaboration with the Farm to Family Program Coordinator, the Community Engagement Specialist designs and administers grant opportunities that are responsive to feedback collected during ongoing outreach activities. The position also serves as a departmental point person for managing partnerships, developing programming, and creating resources related to urban agriculture. This role does require experience in public speaking and facilitation, both in-person and virtually.
About MDARD:
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is comprised of four bureaus that use a customer-driven, solution-oriented approach to cultivate and expand new economic opportunities for the food and agricultural sector; safeguard the public's food supply; inspect and enforce sound animal health practices; control and eradicate plant pests and diseases threatening the $125.8 billion food and agriculture system; preserve the environment by which the farming community makes their living and feeds consumers; and protect consumers by enforcing laws relating to weights and measures.
MDARD offers a positive work-life balance with optional hybrid work options and flexible work schedules. Department leaders support a great team culture and are committed to professional development.
MDARD is committed to a department-wide diversity, equity, and inclusion program that builds upon our values and invests in our employees. We provide an inclusive culture through involvement and empowerment, where the inherent worth and dignity of all people are recognized.
Required Education and Experience
Education
Possession of a bachelor's degree in any major.
Experience
Four years of professional experience, including two years equivalent to the experienced (P11) level or one year equivalent to the advanced (12) level.
Additional Requirements and Information
Please attach a cover letter, resume, and official college transcripts (if applicable) to your application. Information provided in your application, resume, cover letter, transcripts, and any other documentation provided will be used to verify responses to the supplemental questions. Unsupported responses may not be considered further.
You must attach an electronic and/or scanned copy of your official college/university transcripts. For our purposes, "Official Transcripts" must contain the college/university name and address, the degree conferred and date granted, coursework completed (especially if no degree granted), and the Registrar's signature and/or seal.
Your application for any position does not guarantee that you will be contacted by the Department/Agency for further consideration. Only those applicants interviewed will be notified of the results.
View the entire job specification at:
Accommodations
If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or selection processes, please contact the for the agency that posted this position vacancy.
State employment also offers rewarding careers where you can help Michiganders enjoy better lives. Many State of Michigan jobs offer alternate work schedules and remote-work options that can help give the flexibility you need. The State of Michigan has been recognized as a leading U.S. employer by new graduates from 2021-2023 and a best large U.S. and state employer. Recognized on the international stage for fostering positive employee engagement, the State of Michigan is a past recipient of a North America Government Agency Employees Engagement Award.
More details on benefits for our new hires are below:
Rewarding Work: State of Michigan jobs allow you to serve Michiganders in many different ways depending on your interests and skills. Help preserve and protect our environment and the public health; enforce state laws and regulations; advocate for children, families, and victims of discrimination; support our state's military and veterans; rebuild our state's infrastructure; or support other state agencies through our fiscal, IT, and HR systems.
Insurance Benefits: The State of Michigan offers health, mental health, dental, and vision insurance to eligible career employees, their spouses, and their children. The state also covers a life-insurance benefit of two times employees' annual salary (up to $200,000). The state also offers long-term-disability insurance that can provide continuing benefits if an injury or illness prevents employees from working. More information is available at www.mi.gov/employeebenefits.
Retirement Programs: The State of Michigan offers 401(k) and 457 plans for new hires to save for retirement. The state will automatically contribute an amount equal to 4% of your pay to a 401(k) account. The state will also match up to 5% of your pay if you contribute to your 401(k) account. Your contributions vest immediately, and the state's contributions fully vest after just 4 years. More information is available at http://www.mi.gov/orsstatedc.
Vacation and Sick Leave: Eligible full-time employees receive between 15 and 35 personal days and 13 sick days per year that may be rolled over to the following year if not used. Eligible employees also receive an additional day each year for community service or school functions.
Paid Parental Leave: Eligible employees can take 12 weeks of paid leave immediately after a birth or adoption to allow needed time together at home with a new child.
Paid Holidays: Eligible employees receive 13 or 14 paid holidays each year including New Year's Eve and Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, the Fourth of July, Labor Day, Election Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving Friday, Christmas Eve and Day.
Bonus Programs: Eligible employees with five years of service also receive annual longevity bonuses that grow as seniority increases. Some positions also may qualify for recruitment, retention, and performance bonuses or other special pay premiums.
Military Pay Differential: Employees in the guard or reserves may also qualify for supplemental pay benefits if miliary pay during qualifying duty is less than normal state pay. Prior military service may also allow seniority credits to accelerate eligibility for longevity bonuses and additional personal leave accrual.
Tax-Advantaged Programs: In addition to 401(k) and 457 retirement accounts, the state also offers flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA), and qualified transportation fringe benefit (QTFB) programs that can help you save money by reducing your taxable income.
Student Loan Forgiveness: Working for the State of Michigan may allow you to participate in programs that forgive the balance of qualifying student loans. Please view Student Loan Information to help determine if you could qualify is available from the U.S. Department of Education.
Tuition Reduction: Some colleges and universities offer savings to eligible employees and family members to further their education while working for the State of Michigan.
Professional Development: To help develop your career, programs are available to apply for reimbursement of up to $2,000 a year for education and training for college course credits and non-degree programs.
Alternative and Remote Work Schedules: Depending on the nature of their duties, many state jobs offer flexible work schedules and remote or hybrid telecommuting options that can help obtain the work-life balance that you seek.
Great Lakes and Great Times: Michigan boasts four Great Lakes, 11,000 inland lakes, 36,000 miles of rivers and streams, 20 million acres of forests, 100 state and national parks and recreation areas, 1,300 miles of bike trails, 6,500 miles of snowmobile trails, the second-most ski areas in the nation, 650 public golf courses, 600 campgrounds, and an international dark-sky park-just for starters. Our cities offer concerts and cultural events, storied sports teams, education hubs, vibrant downtowns, one-of-a-kind craft beverages, and renowned restaurants for every appetite. From urban centers to beach towns to the great outdoors, the opportunities are endless. With your state salary and benefits and Michigan's affordable cost of living, you can explore all that Michigan has to offer.
Updated: 2/28/24
01
DEPSPL - Do you possess one of the following? A bachelor's degree or higher in any major. If so, please attach a copy of your official college transcripts. OR At least one year of professional experience in the state classified service.
02
DEPSPL - Do you possess at least four years of professional experience, including two years equivalent to the experienced (P11) level or one year equivalent to the advanced (12) level?
03
EQUIVALENCY - If you do not meet the standard education and experience requirements in the job specification, do you believe that other education and experience provide you the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform the duties listed in the position description?
04
EQUIVALENCY - If you answered yes to the previous question, please be as detailed as possible in describing the education and experience you would like considered, including providing credits earned and specific dates and hours worked per week.
05
Do you have experience collaborating with an interdisciplinary team to complete a project or organize an event?
06
If yes, please describe your experience collaborating with an interdisciplinary team, including your role, years of experience, communication methods, and outcomes.
07
Do you have experience with serving as a representative of an organization to engage community members, understand their ideas, and satisfy their concerns?
08
If yes, please describe your experience with community engagement, including your role, years of experience, audience, outreach methods, and outcomes.
09
Do you have experience with facilitating in-person and virtual meetings, trainings, and other events?
10
If yes, please describe your experience with facilitating in-person and virtual events, including your role, years of experience, audience, and outreach methods.
11
Do you have experience communicating program ideas, updates, and successes in writing?
12
If yes, please describe your experience with communicating program ideas, updates and successes writing, including the tools you used, the audience, your goals, your role, your years of experience, and the outcomes.
13
Do you have experience with designing and implementing tools for collecting feedback and analyzing the results?
14
If yes, please describe your experience with collecting and analyzing feedback, including the tools you used, the audience, your goals, your role, your years of experience, and the outcomes.
Required Question
Location : Lansing, MI
Job Type: Permanent Full Time
Job Number: 7901-26-EXE-022
Department: Agriculture and Rural Development
Opening Date: 06/10/2026
Closing Date: 6/24/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Bargaining Unit: NON-EXCLUSIVE REPRESENTED EMPLOYEE (NERE)
Job Description
Food and Agriculture is one of the largest industries in Michigan. Grow with us and make a difference!
About this position:
This position serves as the statewide specialist that leads engagement and relationship-building efforts with communities across Michigan, to understand food system needs and opportunities that align with Farm to Family Program priorities. The Community Engagement Specialist manages program-related site visits, events, and sponsorships by developing partnerships, budgets, promotional materials, and evaluation tools. This position identifies and tracks public engagement opportunities and maintains outreach materials and resources that will be distributed by Farm to Family Program staff. In collaboration with the Farm to Family Program Coordinator, the Community Engagement Specialist designs and administers grant opportunities that are responsive to feedback collected during ongoing outreach activities. The position also serves as a departmental point person for managing partnerships, developing programming, and creating resources related to urban agriculture. This role does require experience in public speaking and facilitation, both in-person and virtually.
About MDARD:
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is comprised of four bureaus that use a customer-driven, solution-oriented approach to cultivate and expand new economic opportunities for the food and agricultural sector; safeguard the public's food supply; inspect and enforce sound animal health practices; control and eradicate plant pests and diseases threatening the $125.8 billion food and agriculture system; preserve the environment by which the farming community makes their living and feeds consumers; and protect consumers by enforcing laws relating to weights and measures.
MDARD offers a positive work-life balance with optional hybrid work options and flexible work schedules. Department leaders support a great team culture and are committed to professional development.
MDARD is committed to a department-wide diversity, equity, and inclusion program that builds upon our values and invests in our employees. We provide an inclusive culture through involvement and empowerment, where the inherent worth and dignity of all people are recognized.
Required Education and Experience
Education
Possession of a bachelor's degree in any major.
Experience
Four years of professional experience, including two years equivalent to the experienced (P11) level or one year equivalent to the advanced (12) level.
Additional Requirements and Information
Please attach a cover letter, resume, and official college transcripts (if applicable) to your application. Information provided in your application, resume, cover letter, transcripts, and any other documentation provided will be used to verify responses to the supplemental questions. Unsupported responses may not be considered further.
You must attach an electronic and/or scanned copy of your official college/university transcripts. For our purposes, "Official Transcripts" must contain the college/university name and address, the degree conferred and date granted, coursework completed (especially if no degree granted), and the Registrar's signature and/or seal.
Your application for any position does not guarantee that you will be contacted by the Department/Agency for further consideration. Only those applicants interviewed will be notified of the results.
View the entire job specification at:
Accommodations
If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or selection processes, please contact the for the agency that posted this position vacancy.
State employment also offers rewarding careers where you can help Michiganders enjoy better lives. Many State of Michigan jobs offer alternate work schedules and remote-work options that can help give the flexibility you need. The State of Michigan has been recognized as a leading U.S. employer by new graduates from 2021-2023 and a best large U.S. and state employer. Recognized on the international stage for fostering positive employee engagement, the State of Michigan is a past recipient of a North America Government Agency Employees Engagement Award.
More details on benefits for our new hires are below:
Rewarding Work: State of Michigan jobs allow you to serve Michiganders in many different ways depending on your interests and skills. Help preserve and protect our environment and the public health; enforce state laws and regulations; advocate for children, families, and victims of discrimination; support our state's military and veterans; rebuild our state's infrastructure; or support other state agencies through our fiscal, IT, and HR systems.
Insurance Benefits: The State of Michigan offers health, mental health, dental, and vision insurance to eligible career employees, their spouses, and their children. The state also covers a life-insurance benefit of two times employees' annual salary (up to $200,000). The state also offers long-term-disability insurance that can provide continuing benefits if an injury or illness prevents employees from working. More information is available at www.mi.gov/employeebenefits.
Retirement Programs: The State of Michigan offers 401(k) and 457 plans for new hires to save for retirement. The state will automatically contribute an amount equal to 4% of your pay to a 401(k) account. The state will also match up to 5% of your pay if you contribute to your 401(k) account. Your contributions vest immediately, and the state's contributions fully vest after just 4 years. More information is available at http://www.mi.gov/orsstatedc.
Vacation and Sick Leave: Eligible full-time employees receive between 15 and 35 personal days and 13 sick days per year that may be rolled over to the following year if not used. Eligible employees also receive an additional day each year for community service or school functions.
Paid Parental Leave: Eligible employees can take 12 weeks of paid leave immediately after a birth or adoption to allow needed time together at home with a new child.
Paid Holidays: Eligible employees receive 13 or 14 paid holidays each year including New Year's Eve and Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, the Fourth of July, Labor Day, Election Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving Friday, Christmas Eve and Day.
Bonus Programs: Eligible employees with five years of service also receive annual longevity bonuses that grow as seniority increases. Some positions also may qualify for recruitment, retention, and performance bonuses or other special pay premiums.
Military Pay Differential: Employees in the guard or reserves may also qualify for supplemental pay benefits if miliary pay during qualifying duty is less than normal state pay. Prior military service may also allow seniority credits to accelerate eligibility for longevity bonuses and additional personal leave accrual.
Tax-Advantaged Programs: In addition to 401(k) and 457 retirement accounts, the state also offers flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA), and qualified transportation fringe benefit (QTFB) programs that can help you save money by reducing your taxable income.
Student Loan Forgiveness: Working for the State of Michigan may allow you to participate in programs that forgive the balance of qualifying student loans. Please view Student Loan Information to help determine if you could qualify is available from the U.S. Department of Education.
Tuition Reduction: Some colleges and universities offer savings to eligible employees and family members to further their education while working for the State of Michigan.
Professional Development: To help develop your career, programs are available to apply for reimbursement of up to $2,000 a year for education and training for college course credits and non-degree programs.
Alternative and Remote Work Schedules: Depending on the nature of their duties, many state jobs offer flexible work schedules and remote or hybrid telecommuting options that can help obtain the work-life balance that you seek.
Great Lakes and Great Times: Michigan boasts four Great Lakes, 11,000 inland lakes, 36,000 miles of rivers and streams, 20 million acres of forests, 100 state and national parks and recreation areas, 1,300 miles of bike trails, 6,500 miles of snowmobile trails, the second-most ski areas in the nation, 650 public golf courses, 600 campgrounds, and an international dark-sky park-just for starters. Our cities offer concerts and cultural events, storied sports teams, education hubs, vibrant downtowns, one-of-a-kind craft beverages, and renowned restaurants for every appetite. From urban centers to beach towns to the great outdoors, the opportunities are endless. With your state salary and benefits and Michigan's affordable cost of living, you can explore all that Michigan has to offer.
Updated: 2/28/24
01
DEPSPL - Do you possess one of the following? A bachelor's degree or higher in any major. If so, please attach a copy of your official college transcripts. OR At least one year of professional experience in the state classified service.
- Yes
- No
02
DEPSPL - Do you possess at least four years of professional experience, including two years equivalent to the experienced (P11) level or one year equivalent to the advanced (12) level?
- Yes
- No
03
EQUIVALENCY - If you do not meet the standard education and experience requirements in the job specification, do you believe that other education and experience provide you the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform the duties listed in the position description?
- Yes
- No
04
EQUIVALENCY - If you answered yes to the previous question, please be as detailed as possible in describing the education and experience you would like considered, including providing credits earned and specific dates and hours worked per week.
05
Do you have experience collaborating with an interdisciplinary team to complete a project or organize an event?
- Yes
- No
06
If yes, please describe your experience collaborating with an interdisciplinary team, including your role, years of experience, communication methods, and outcomes.
07
Do you have experience with serving as a representative of an organization to engage community members, understand their ideas, and satisfy their concerns?
- Yes
- No
08
If yes, please describe your experience with community engagement, including your role, years of experience, audience, outreach methods, and outcomes.
09
Do you have experience with facilitating in-person and virtual meetings, trainings, and other events?
- Yes
- No
10
If yes, please describe your experience with facilitating in-person and virtual events, including your role, years of experience, audience, and outreach methods.
11
Do you have experience communicating program ideas, updates, and successes in writing?
- Yes
- No
12
If yes, please describe your experience with communicating program ideas, updates and successes writing, including the tools you used, the audience, your goals, your role, your years of experience, and the outcomes.
13
Do you have experience with designing and implementing tools for collecting feedback and analyzing the results?
- Yes
- No
14
If yes, please describe your experience with collecting and analyzing feedback, including the tools you used, the audience, your goals, your role, your years of experience, and the outcomes.
Required Question