Michigan State University

Position Title/Short Description

Full Text of JOE Listing:

Michigan State University Extension (MSUE) and the Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics (AFRE) at Michigan State University (MSU) seeks a full-time, annual appointment for Director of the MSU Extension Center for Local Government Finance and Policy.
The Director of the Center for Local Government Finance and Policy is located in the MSU Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics and works in concert with MSU Extension leadership. This position oversees and manages two key MSU Extension programs within the Center: 1) local government finance programs, and 2) public utility finance and ratemaking regulation. These two program areas work on enhancing public official decision-making through training, engagement, and applied research.
In the local government financial program area, the Director provides leadership to staff and directly engages with state and local government officials in areas such as public budgeting and finance, infrastructure financing and regulation, intergovernmental cooperation, state and local taxation, and governmental organization and cooperation. The Director will provide leadership to staff in their roles and be responsible for producing applied research and engaging in extension curriculum development and extension programming. The Director is responsible for overseeing the Centers’ Extension programs and applied research in the areas of state and local public finance, the financing and operations of core infrastructure including water, transportation, and electricity. In the public utility financial and regulation area, the Director is responsible for overseeing staff, faculty, and courses that seek to build skills and knowledge for public regulatory officials, public regulatory staff, consumer advocates, and others who wish to engage in the public utility regulation process. Classes include ratemaking, economics of regulation, power grid school, and accounting and auditing. These programs serve public utility commissions around the country.
The position requires the ability to engage in applied economic and policy analysis of key issues facing state and local governments, develop supporting materials, and publishing results in appropriate outlets. The Director works with colleagues in designing, coordinating, and presenting educational programs for appointed and elected Michigan local government officials. On-going established programs include training newly elected officials and board/committee chairs in budgeting and finance, as well as workshops for local officials on new federal and state programs. The successful candidate will be responsible for maintaining strong working partnerships with Michigan’s local government associations.
The Director also holds internal administrative responsibilities including center budget management and grants management, performance reviews, and seeking out external funding and grants. The Center Director also serves as a resource and key participant in the MSU Extension Government and Public Policy team.