Local Foods Coordinator
Local Foods Coordinator
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1 Vacancy
Job Description
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Closing Date:
Type of Position:
Researchers
Workstudy Position:
Job Type:
Regular
Work Shift:
Sponsorship Available:
Institution Name:
Division of Agriculture of the University of ArkansasThe University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is a state wide campus with faculty based on University campuses at Research and Extension Centers and in every Arkansas county. It consists of the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station (AES) and the Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service (CES) and is home to more than 1400 employees. The Division was established in 1959 and is headed by the Vice-President for Agriculture. The Division headquarters is located in Little Rock with the rest of the University of Arkansas System Administration. As an employer the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers a vibrant work environment and a workplace culture that promotes a healthy work-life balance.
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Department:
Horticulture * Associate Professor
Departments Website:
Our Local Regional and Safe Foods team partners with state and federal agencies to coordinate technical assistance and help recipientsfarmers processors and distributorseffectively use grant funds. The three (3) key areas of focus are as follows:
Outreach & Stakeholder Coordination: Connect eligible stakeholders to RFSI opportunities guide them through the application process and link producers processors and buyers within the supply chain.
Project Planning Support - Assist applicants in refining proposals aligning with USDA terms and ensuring compliance while fostering collaboration among supply chain actors.
Technical Assistance and Training - Offer education workshops and onsite support to improve food safety and operational efficiency.
The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture (UADA) Cooperative Extension Services (CESs) Department of Horticulture is partnering with the Arkansas Department of Agriculture to support the USDAs RFSI program. This program provides technical assistance in food safety food systems infrastructure development and management and supply chain coordination for farm and food business entities including those awarded RFSI equipment and infrastructure grants.
The Program Technician RFSI and Supply Chain Coordination will support the Program Director and Manager in assisting farm and food business entities to develop a local food supply chain network of retailers and suppliers. They will also support grant awardees as they utilize funds to install equipment secure
transportation or construct farm facilities. This position is based in the Department of Horticulture and works with the Local Regional and Safe Foods Team under the direction of Dr. Amanda Philyaw Perez in partnership with the Arkansas Department of Agriculture and other key stakeholders.
Program Development
Assist the Local Regional Safe Foods team in developing new educational and technical assistance resources for externally funded projects and local needs specifically supporting grant-funded initiatives
Support training efforts and provide collaborative assistance to county extension agents and related programs
Conduct outreach to new and existing community partners including producers retailers distributors and institutional buyers
Help maintain a comprehensive database of local food system stakeholders and assets to inform project planning and implementation
Project Coordination & Administrative Support
Coordinate site visits respond to technical assistance requests (via phone and email) and organize training meetings for internal and external stakeholders
Facilitate communication between project team members funded entities and agencies
Manage meeting logistics including scheduling agenda creation note-taking and follow-up communications
Maintain calendars track deadlines and assist with administrative planning for project activities
Support data collection reporting and documentation of project milestones
Assist in managing communications across platforms including email updates newsletters promotional content and social media as appropriate
Prepare and distribute educational materials press releases and web content
Monitor program implementation; support collaborators and county agents; and coordinate logistics for team activities
Support tracking and evaluation of technical assistance efforts
Assist in evaluating infrastructure needs (e.g. aggregation storage transportation) for grant awardees and support related planning efforts
Help identify and prepare funding proposals and manage budgets in coordination with project leads; assist in tracking grant deliverables and financial reporting
Evaluation & Impact Measurement
Support the development and implementation of tools to assess program outcomes and stakeholder impact
Collect and analyze program data; prepare evaluation reports and presentations to communicate key findings
Contribute to continuous improvement by identifying challenges and making recommendations for program enhancements
Event Planning & Facilitation
Plan coordinate and facilitate workshops community forums and
stakeholder meetings
Support event logistics including registration materials preparation venue setup and documentation of outcomes
Travel to farms facilities conferences and meetings both in-state and out-of-state as needed (approximately 20% travel).
The office location is Ferndale Arkansas. Position is subject to funding availability.
Qualifications:
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelors degree or higher is required. Relevant fields include agricultural education agricultural economics horticulture public health food science food safety food systems or related disciplines.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience in agricultural economics farmers markets the retail or grocery industry produce industry food safety or agricultural systems
Understanding of agricultural economics retail management supply chain development specialty crop marketing food safety audits/inspections produce packing facilities and urban agriculture
Strong communication skills including writing public speaking curriculum development and managing web or social media content
On-farm or field experience in specialty crop production and food safety is highly desirable
Knowledge Skills & Abilities
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications email systems and data management tools
Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and meetings
Ability to exercise initiative work independently and collaborate effectively within a team
Responsiveness to supervisors and stakeholders with a proactive approach to project coordination and communication
Additional Information:
For technical assistance with the application process please email
Salary Information:
Required Documents to Apply:
Optional Documents:
Special Instructions to Applicants:
Recruitment Contact Information:
All application materials must be uploaded to the University of Arkansas System Career Site
Please do not send to listed recruitment contact.
Pre-employment Screening Requirements:
Child Maltreatment Motor Vehicle Reports Check Sex Offender RegistryThe University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture may conduct pre-employment background checks on certain positions for applicants being considered for employment. The background checks may include a criminal background check and a sex offender registry check. Required checks are identified in the position listing. A criminal background check or arrest pending adjudication information alone shall not disqualify an applicant in the absences of a relationship to the requirements of the position. Background check information will be used in a consistent non-discriminatory manner consistent with the state and federal law.
The University of Arkansas is an equal opportunity institution. The University does not discriminate in its education programs or activities (including in admission and employment) on the basis of any category or status protected by law including age race color national origin disability religion protected veteran status military service genetic information sex sexual orientation or pregnancy. Questions or concerns about the application of Title IX which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex may be sent to the Universitys Title IX Coordinator and to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.Persons must have proof of legal authority to work in the United States on the first day of employment.
All application information is subject to public disclosure under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.
Constant Physical Activity:
Driving Hearing Kneeling Lifting Manipulate items with fingers including keyboarding Pulling Pushing Reaching Repetitive Motion Sitting Standing Stooping Talking Walking
Frequent Physical Activity:
Balancing Climbing Crawling Crouching Driving Feeling Grasping Hearing Kneeling Lifting Manipulate items with fingers including keyboarding Pulling Pushing Reaching Repetitive Motion Sitting Standing Stooping Talking Walking
Occasional Physical Activity:
Balancing Climbing Crawling Crouching Driving Feeling Grasping Hearing Kneeling Lifting Manipulate items with fingers including keyboarding Pulling Pushing Reaching Repetitive Motion Sitting Standing Stooping Talking Walking
Benefits Eligible:
YesRequired Experience:
IC
Employment Type
Full-Time
